Vestry Candidate Recommendation
An Invitation to Shared Discernment
September 6, 2024

An Invitation to Shared Discernment
Vestry Candidate Discernment is more complex than confirming a list of qualifications or expectations, or simply identifying who is willing to stand for election.  On the contrary, Christian discernment is a matter of sifting through the many gifts and needs of our community, and the complex desires that we each feel for ourselves, our friends, our forebears in faith, and our community, to hear the still quiet voice of God calling us forward in ministry as a community marked by Christ.  Such discernment is best when it shared as no singular individual or group is ever fully aware of the spiritual gifts and expressions of faithful discipleship in all of our members. 
Therefore, the Vestry and Nominating Committee invite you to join us in this sacred, yet difficult, task.  Considering those whom you know within our community, we ask you prayerfully to discern who may be called to serve on the Vestry.  To help you in this process, you will find (below) the formal expectations and marks of leadership that we, the Vestry, have discerned.
To aid the Nominating Committee in their discernment, please share your experience and insight on why you believe the individual(s) you recommend is (are) called to serve on the Vestry of Christ Church Grosse Pointe.

Candidate Expectations

Canonical Requirements:  Communicant in Good Standing
“A candidate for the Vestry must be an adult communicant in good standing for no less than six months preceding election.”  Communicants in good standing are those “who for the previous year have been faithful in corporate worship, unless for good cause prevented, and have been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God.”

The Nominating Committee has affirmed the following marks as visible expressions of members in Good Standing:
  • Faithful in Worship:  A member in good standing regularly and consistently participates in weekly corporate worship at Christ Church Grosse Pointe.
  • Faithful in Working:  A member in good standing is actively engaged in at least one (1) ministry at Christ Church; is reliable and responsible, and accountable.
  • Faithful in Praying:  A member in good standing leads a life of prayer that reflects openness, listening, kindness, respect, and charity toward their neighbor.
  • Faithful in Giving:  A member in good standing has made a prayerful, sacrificial, annual, and unrestricted financial commitment (commonly called a “pledge”) that reflects a movement toward a tithe to support the ministry of Christ at Christ Church Grosse Pointe.
We recognize, of course, that there are times in our lives in which we are, “for good cause prevented” (such as traveling, illness, or a family emergency), unable to fulfill one or more of the common expectations of Christian discipleship.

Spiritual Leadership:  Models Of Christian Discipleship
The Vestry is called to embody, articulate, and advocate for the vision of Christ Church within the parish and community.  The Ministry of the Vestry is also one of Discipleship and Spiritual Leadership.  As Disciples of Christ and Leaders within the Christian community, we are called to discern God’s vision for Christ Church.  Within the community of Christ Church, we are also called to be models of Christian life and discipleship as inheritors of the Anglican tradition, the practice of The Episcopal Church, and the customs of Christ Church.

The Vestry has affirmed the following marks as signs of Spiritual Leadership: 
Members called to the “Spiritual Leadership” of the Vestry model and uphold our Community Norms, offer their skills and experience to support the parish, the staff, and the church leadership, and are willing to be sacrificial of time, talent and treasure (in giving), and demonstrate the following characteristics of a life rooted in Christ:
 
  • Servant Leaders
  • Grateful
  • Cheerful
  • Spirit-filled
  • Hopeful
  • Positive in Disagreement
  • Open and willing to grow
  • Caring and Charitable
  • Committed to the whole / to others
  • Collaborative and collegial
  • Thoughtful and open
  • Respectful
  • Inviting
  • Able to see the good in others
  • Are able to lead and to follow
 
Leaders in Stewardship
“By personal example, education, and other means, the wardens and members of the congregation’s Governing Body shall encourage all members to make a formal annual commitment, or pledge, in support of the mission and ministry of the local congregation, Diocese, and wider Church, and shall organize and conduct an annual in-gathering of such commitments or pledges.”

The Vestry is called to develop, and be chief stewards of, the resources needed to sustain and expand the ministry of Christ Church.

The Vestry has affirmed the following marks as signs of Leadership in Stewardship:  
  • Members called to serve as “Leaders in Stewardship” will have a history of increased commitment to sacrificial giving that reflects a movement toward a tithe
 

Vestry Candidate Recommendation
and Information

To the best of my knowledge, I believe the above individual:
  • Is Faithful in Worship, Praying, Working and Giving for the Spread of the Kingdom of God;
  • Will be a Spiritual Leader within the community of Christ Church, upholding our Community Norms and modeling Christian life and discipleship as an inheritor of the Anglican tradition, the practice of The Episcopal Church, and the customs of Christ Church; and
  • Will be a constructive Leader in Stewardship who, by personal example, public advocacy, and direct invitation, will encourage members of Christ Church to make an annual pledge in support of the mission and ministry of Christ Church, with a goal of reaching a tithe in annual giving
The Nominating Committee thanks you for your discernment and greatly appreciates your insight. Should you wish to share your insights and knowledge more completely, you are welcome to answer any of the questions below in support of the individual whom you recommended. 

Canonical Requirements

Spiritual Leadership

The Vestry is called to embody, articulate, and advocate for the vision of Christ Church within the parish and community.  The Ministry of the Vestry is also one of Discipleship and Spiritual Leadership.  As Disciples of Christ and Leaders within the Christian community, we are called to discern God’s vision for Christ Church.  Within the community of Christ Church, we are also called to be models of Christian life and discipleship as inheritors of the Anglican tradition, the practice of The Episcopal Church, and the customs of Christ Church.

Leaders in Stewardship

The Episcopal Church and the Vestry of Christ Church have long discerned
the tithe as the Biblical standard for giving.
By personal example, education, and other means, the wardens and members of the Vestry shall encourage all members to make a formal annual commitment, or pledge, in support of the mission and ministry of the local congregation, Diocese, and wider Church, and shall organize and conduct an annual in-gathering of such commitments or pledges.
The Vestry is called to develop, and be chief stewards of, the resources needed to sustain and expand the ministry of Christ Church.

Faithfully Discerned and Submitted By:

Submit