Wardens' Handbook

Help! I’m a Church Warden!

What do I do first?
Try to arrange a meeting with the Incumbent to talk over your duties, and to discuss the state of the Parish.

It is also helpful for new Wardens, previous Wardens, and the Incumbent to meet at the beginning of the new term of office so that information about the Parish can be passed on together with hints and suggestions about carrying out your new duties.

You are an Important Link between the Incumbent and the Parish Members
It is important that you spend some time listening to members of the congregation. There will be some people who phone you about various concerns, but it is also helpful to keep your ears open to what members are saying about the Parish in meetings, parish gatherings, and even casual conversations, and to report back to the Incumbent.

Meetings between the Wardens and Incumbent should be held on a regular basis to discuss the otal ministry of the parish. Frequent phone calls are useful in keeping the lines of communication open.

Dealing with Criticism
Do not be disturbed or discouraged if someone criticizes the Parish, the Incumbent, the organization or any other leader. Keep a smile handy and use it. Listen attentively. Allow the person to talk freely without interruption. Agree where you can. Do not compromise just to be polite, but do not argue. Point out the strengths of the Parish. Report back to the Incumbent, always respecting the confidentiality of the person(s) concerned if that has been requested. Alternatively you may ask if the person has spoken to the priest about the concern.

When the Incumbent is Away
The Wardens should be informed if the Incumbent is to be away more than a day. They should know if and where the Incumbent can be reached if there is an urgent need for a priest, or they should know who is covering for the Incumbent in such an emergency, while he/she is away for a longer period.

Wardens are often the first people to be contacted when the Incumbent cannot be reached. If the Incumbent is away for a long period of time (such as a vacation), it is essential to know what arrangements have been made in regard to the keys for the church, the parish hall and the rectory.

In some larger parishes with a regular office secretary, he/she may be able to handle the above tasks.

Be Visible and Accessible
It is important for the Wardens to be accessible to the members of the congregation. Each person has his/her own way of doing this. Some Wardens stay behind after church services so that people may come and talk to them. Some get to know all the formal and informal parish leaders. Some visit the different church groups throughout the year. Some parishes hold regular visitations every year and Wardens use this opportunity to listen to what people have to say.

Relationship between the Wardens and the Treasurer
It is good practice for the Wardens and Incumbent to meet regularly with the Parish Treasurer to eep in touch with the financial condition of the Parish, to discuss ways and means of meeting the church budget, and means of communicating financial concerns to the congregation.

In some parishes, the Wardens are expected to keep the books.

Installation of Church Wardens

Back: Becoming a Church Warden
Next: What If?

[Notes to the reader: Throughout this document the word "responsible" is used when defining a warden’s functions and duties. This does not mean that the warden must carry out a specific function or duty; rather, the warden must ensure that the function or duty is carried out.

It is our intent that this document will be reviewed and updated at a minimum of every ten (10) years.]