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What about the Wardens? 

 

Overview

Wardens are a Lay Role critical to the success of any parish and are an integral part of the operation of the Diocese of Athabasca. According to our Act of Incorporation, the wardens along with the parish incumbent form a “body politic and corporate” – i.e., the legal definition of the parish. This is why the wardens are the signing authorities – they are the legal representatives of the parish.  In other words, a parish needs at least three people: the wardens and the incumbent – everyone else is extra blessing!

The wardens and the incumbent together work as a team, seeking the success of the parish. They set the Vestry agenda’s and strategize how the parish can best fulfill the WHY of its existence, today and in the future. The three of them should meet at least monthly to pray and review parish activities, morale, and spirit, and plan activities accordingly. Together, they are responsible for the finances, the property management, the worship, the edification and growth of the community.

Wardens are diocesan officers, facilitating the health of the parish on behalf of the diocese. The Rector and People’s Wardens complement each other: 

  • The People’s Warden is voted for by the people at the Annual General Meeting and acts on behalf of the people of the parish to ensure smooth functioning of the community. If there are conflicts, the People’s Warden assists in bringing those out into the open so they can be creatively explored and dealt with before they become mountains of upheaval. A key part of this is to relay concerns of the congregation to the Rector and the Rector’s Warden, and then the three of them together properly address concerns in a constructive manner. 
  • The Rector’s Warden is assigned by the Incumbent and is a confidant and sounding board for the Rector or Incumbent. They can gracefully provide honest and complete feedback so the Incumbent can best lead the congregation with full knowledge of the situations they are facing. When the parish is without an Incumbent, the Rector’s Warden is appointed as the Bishop’s Warden, who provides the same role but directly in relation to the Bishop.

QUALITIES AND SKILLS 

  • Team players, work well with each other, the incumbent, and vestries 
  • Know the parish and the local cultural contexts 
  • Good communicators, with active listening to understand the perspectives of others and speaking / writing 
  • Good organizers and supportive of other ministries 
  • Prayerful, seen as mature Christians by members of the parish 
  • Adept at identifying issues and addressing them up front before they fester or grow
  • Align parish activities around the parish WHY. 

Responsible for the smooth operation of all facets of the parish, working with the parish incumbent when present and on the bishop’s direct behalf when an incumbent is not present. Their responsibilities include all aspects of parish life:  

  • a treasurer to ensure proper record-keeping of the finances and all financial reporting, 
  • an envelope secretary for proper recording of all charitable receipts, 
  • a vestry to assist in properly overseeing all aspects of church life within the parish. 
  • making sure bills are paid, budgets are balanced, administration is properly performed, building maintenance is occurring, pastoral care is taking place, and that the clergy are supported in every way possible to successfully achieve their roles. 

working with the Synod Office and other parishes for the success of the diocese as a whole.

 

+David