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Leaders gather for diocesan academy

Diocesan comptroller Jay Currie used a pecan pie to demonstrate how the diocesan budget is carved up between parishes in apportionment payments. Participants in his workshop later sampled the pie. Photo by Melodie Woerman

By Melodie Woerman

Editor, The Harvest

Nearly 100 senior and junior wardens, vestry members, treasurers and other lay leaders from parishes across the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas gathered in Topeka Feb. 4 for the first diocesan Lay Leadership Academy.

The event was the idea of Bishop Dean Wolfe, who wanted to bring lay leaders together to share information with them and offer support in the key ministry they provide to their parishes.

The day consisted of a keynote address by the bishop, a series of workshops and roundtable discussions, and a concluding wrap-up.

In his opening remarks, Bishop Wolfe said that he understood some of the challenges faced by lay leaders, since he had been senior warden of a parish himself before attending seminary. And he noted that service in the church is unique.

Being on a vestry, he said, is not the same as being on the board of other organizations. “Your service is not a directorship but an eldership,” he said. “Elders have spiritual and theological responsibilities for the church. You are a part of the body of Christ. You are a leader of it.”

He also noted that success in church depends on the efforts of people like them, “because nothing any priest suggests works without significant lay leadership.”

A sacred obligation

He told them, “I want to be clear. You have a sacred obligation to the church, and you have been given offices as outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual responsibility. I think that is a joy and a privilege.”

Those responsibilities he said, call leaders “to educate, to advocate and to change,” he said.

But Bishop Wolfe warned them about being complacent, because he said he would be telling parishes some difficult truths.

“Sometimes I have to tell parishes hard things,” he said. “Your membership is declining You are underpaying your priest. You need to do more outreach. You say you are welcoming to newcomers, but there are no signs of that.”

And he left them with something of a warning. “I didn’t come to Kansas as the ninth bishop to watch the slow demise of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas. I will make you miserable if you are determined to just hold on.”

Apportionment pie

The day also included time for breakout sessions on a variety of topics faced in parishes.

Diocesan comptroller Jay Currie offered a two-part session on finances for treasurers, including an explanation of how diocesan apportionment is calculated. Participants in that session had the added treat of pies used as visual aids, as Currie explained how the diocesan budget is carved up between the parishes in apportionment payments. He then served slices of what he called “apportionment pie” as a midday snack.

Another session was designed to help junior wardens and others who are responsible for building issues in congregations. Deacon Monte Giddings, who serves as diocesan risk manager, was joined by Paul Stephens of the Church Insurance Company in addressing issues related to property insurance and making church buildings safe for members and guests.

General information on church administration was presented by a trio of members of the diocesan staff — Jeanne Atha, executive assistant to Bishop Wolfe; Dorothy Emory, diocesan administrator; and Melodie Woerman, director of communications. They offered a series of resources that included helpful telephone numbers, diocesan deadlines and staff contacts for varying program areas.

Bishop Wolfe had time apart with both senior and junior wardens as he explained how he sees their roles within their parishes.

He said that senior wardens rightly are the “rector’s warden” and should serve as an advocate for clergy to the vestry. Junior wardens are the “people’s warden” and should bring average parish concerns to the attention of lay leaders. For both jobs he called for increased communication between leaders and parishioners. That includes regular ministry reviews that examine how the church, clergy and parishioners together, is fulfilling its mission.

Plans call for this academy to become an annual event.