Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, NC

At the beginning of another calendar year, with the annual meeting and vestry nominations and elections on the horizon, it seems good to devote an issue of Cross Roads to Episcopal Church polity. Understanding how the parish is organized, who has what responsibilities and authority, and how decisions are made, can help us all better carry out the ministry of Jesus Christ in this place. My part in that is to explain the role of the rector.

The rector is responsible for the ministry, program, and administration of the parish. According to national canons, "The authority of and responsibility for the conduct of worship and the spiritual jurisdiction of the Parish are vested in the Rector, subject to the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, the Constitution and Canons of the Church, and the pastoral direction of the Bishop." Decisions about what and when and where services are held, what ministries the parish should engage in, who shall be employed on the staff and in various volunteer positions, how to communicate within the parish and beyond, etc., are made by the rector. Ideally, of course, the rector works closely with the vestry, who have primary responsibility for the buildings and for the finances. Even in the former, the canons make clear that "for the purposes of the office and for the full and free discharge of all functions and duties pertaining thereto, the Rector shall, at all times, be entitled to the use and control of the Church and Parish buildings."

The rector is originally called by the vestry with the permission of the bishop. Thereafter, the vestry may not remove the rector except by appeal to the bishop, who is obligated by national canons first to try to reconcile the differences.

In my 20 plus years of being rector at the Chapel of the Cross, I have been fortunate to have cooperative and supportive relationships with the various vestries. Respectful of each others' roles and our own limits, we have always been able to work together positively for the sake of the ministry and the good of the parish. I consider myself privileged to have worked closely with all the exceptionally dedicated and talented people who have served as wardens and as other members of the vestry. Thank you for continuing to put forward strong leaders each year!

Some of you have asked me from time to time how I relate to the staff, particularly the other clergy and program staff. After trying to hire the best people I and any search committee can find (I look for people with different skills and personalities from me), I give them significant responsibility in their respective areas. We meet weekly as a group to work closely together and to support and encourage and advise one another, and I meet frequently with each one for individual supervision and collaboration, including a formal annual review. As with the vestry, I have been extraordinarily blessed to have worked with so many gifted and devoted clergy and lay professionals, some for many years.

Since mandatory retirement in the Episcopal Church is not until age 72, I look forward to serving as your rector for many more years to come!

- Stephen

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