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Life, Worship and Governance. Vestry School 2011 The Rev. Wilson Roane Mr. Matthew P. Payne. Overview. Opening Prayer For the Mission of the Church Book of Common Prayer, p. 816 Introductions Mr. Matthew P. Payne Lay Canon for Administration
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Life,WorshipandGovernance Vestry School 2011 The Rev. Wilson Roane Mr. Matthew P. Payne
Overview • Opening Prayer • For the Mission of the ChurchBook of Common Prayer, p. 816 • Introductions • Mr. Matthew P. PayneLay Canon for Administration • The Rev. Wilson RoaneRetired & Interim, Intercession, Stevens Point • The Catechism, “Outline of Faith” • Book of Common Prayer, page 844-862
Overview • What is the ministry of the laity? • …to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; • and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; • and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.” • Church • People of God • Institution
Life of the Church • Life • Growth • Reproduction • adaptation to change in the world around us • How does the vestry take its place… • Grapples with the big questions • As a Christian community, do we live our life for God? • As a Christian community, who are we before God? • As a Christian community, are we what God wants us to be?
Life of the Church • Approaches challenges differently: conflict • Secular world, force or authority of superior over subordinate • The church, discernment of God’s will, embracing others in love. • Same goal…spreading the Gospel • Secular world, conflicts of interest from many goals • The church, one goal, no conflicts of interest
Life of the Church • Assess the life of the congregation • Bob Honeychurch’s vital church tool • YES = indicator of good health • NO = indicator of need to improve health • MAYBE = indicator of poor health • What’s the answer for you congregation?
Life of the Church • Are we • Baptizing? • Confirming? • Welcoming new members? • Adapting in appropriate ways to change? • Gathering together regularly? • Intentional about evangelism? • Intentional about outreach?
Life of the Church • Do we • reflect demographics? • have purpose? • connect gifts with needs? • care for the sick, hurt, elderly, shut-ins? • access resources needed? • have a strong, broad-based leadership? • develop lay leaders? give opportunities? • offer strong spiritual development? • know how to speak to others about faith? • offer corporate worship? • act responsibly with money? • deal with conflict
Life of the Church • Leads in moving forward. • envisioning – look to see where we can go. • engage – ask others to help • empower –use tools to help • energize – coordinate efforts with positive attitude • exemplify –model what needs to be done
Life of the Church • No perfect program, plan, formula • “grapple with big questions” • “to approach challenges” • “to assess life” • “take the lead” • Lots of programs, plans, formulas to use • Talk to others • Internet • Resource Center • It’s not about what or how, but that you are
Worship of the Church • We are called to worship God • You are…a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him… (1 Peter 2:9) • We are called to come together weekly for corporate worship • Catechism, Book of Common Prayer p.855
Worship of the Church • Corporate worship is uniting • Catechism, Book of Common Prayer p.857 • acknowledge God’s holiness • hear God’s Word • offer prayer, and • celebrate sacraments
Worship of the Church • Form and pattern from variety of sources • The Holy Bible • all necessary for salvation • publically declared • Book of Common Prayer • forms of divine worship, rites, ceremonies • standard forms • Supplementary materials (hymnals, etc…) • broaden or deepen corporate praise; • Procure reverence, exciting devotion
Worship of the Church • Preparation • Incorporate variety of purposes • Homework to get ready • “decently and in order, ” not on a whim • Helping make worship happen • clergy have authority • laity work with clergy orderly worship and proper administration
Worship of the Church • Striving for excellence • Show up • Visit another congregation • Pulpit exchange • Video of a worship service • Take notes • “Mystery Worshipper” • Become intentional about analyzing worship
Governance of the Church • Institution • governed or managed • for God’s glory …serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received…so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 4:10-11) • Relationships. • Structure • general, broadest • most specific, narrowest
Governance of the Church Core Doctrines West and East
Governance of the Church History Traditions
Governance of the Church History Church of England
Governance of the Church General Convention Canons
Governance of the Church Diocesan Convention Bishop
Governance of the Church • Diocesan Convention • sets general policy and direction • two classes of members • Clergy canonically resident • Elected lay delegates • Diocesan Bishop • chief pastor • sets general vision with direction
Governance of the Church • Executive Council • oversees operations • acting for Diocesan Convention • Standing Committee • oversees ecclesiastical issues • Trustees • oversee legal issues, especially property
Governance of the Church • Unorganized Mission • established by the Bishop • Organized Mission • established by the people and the Bishop • govern own affairs • unable to support place of worship or priest by its own means • Parish • established by the people, the Bishop and Diocesan Convention • govern its own affairs • able to support place of worship and priest by its own means
Governance of the Church Core Doctrines West and East
Governance of the Church • Communicants • received Holy Communion in this Church at least 3 times • minimum standard • Communicants in Good Standing • faithful in corporate worship • Working • Praying • Giving • for the spread of the Kingdom of God
Governance of the Church • Organized • two wardens • 3 to 9 elected vestry members • Clerk & Treasurer • Committees / Teams / Task Forces • Responsibilities • Legally • Good stewards • Holy people • Members
Governance of the Church • Pray • For the church • For congregational members • For those who do not know God’s love
Life,WorshipandGovernance QuestionsCommentsIdeas