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Church Councils and Officers: Roles and Duties

Churchwardens
The role of churchwarden

Churchwardens have a leadership role within the church community, and share with the parish priest its vision and mission.

“The church is called to be pastoral — to look after individual people: to be evangelistic — to tell people the Good News and invite them to accept it; to be social — to help... those suffering from racial, economic and other forms of injustice; and to be ecumenical — to encourage good relations with other Christian denominations.” (p32 & 33, Practical Church Management by James Behrens)

Therefore those wishing to stand as churchwarden should to that end be prepared to set an example by

They are the Bishop’s officers, reporting to the archdeacon. They manage the maintenance the church’s fabric, have responsibility for practical aspects of the church’s worship and have a duty of care for the parish priest.

Eligibility

Those who can be elected to the office must

Relationships

The churchwardens provide a link between the Bishop and the parish and the congregation and the priest. They are able to consult with the archdeacon, especially in matters of building work and faculties. They can look to the rural dean for advice and assistance, especially during an interregnum. They work closely with the parish priest, praying for him and his family and discuss the vision for the life of the church. They represent the laity in all these relationships. They also have a duty of care for members of the congregation.

Responsibilities

They have responsibility for several areas:

Property: Churchwardens are the legal owners of the church buildings and churchyard, on behalf of the congregation (the church itself is a part of the incumbent freehold). During each year they inspect the fabric of the church, update the inventory, keep a log book of alterations and ensure the buildings, its contents and the churchyard are maintained. They present a report on the fabric every year to the PCC.

Worship: Churchwardens have responsibility for practical aspects of worship. They ensure that bread and wine for the Mass is available, although actual ordering of stocks may be the responsibility of the sacristan. They ensure that the congregation is seated prior to the service, ensuring that there is a rota of sidemen to undertake the practicalities of this. They have the right to restore order if there is trouble, resorting to necessary force if needed (!) With the treasurer they have responsibility for recording and paying monies from collections. They must ensure that, in the priest’s absence, services are covered and in an emergency take services if needed. The Wardens with the PCC, in consultation with the parish priest, set times and forms of church services, but not content.

Care: This should include concern for the priest, his family, expenses and time off. They should also pray for the priest. Churchwardens have the responsibility for ensuring that the priest is free from many administrative tasks using members of the congregation, where possible and appropriate. They should also pray and care for the members of the congregation.

Parochial Church Council
The PCC’s function

The PCC is there to consult with the parish priest on matters concerning the parish (but this does not extend to the Doctrine of the Church). The nature of these matters is linked with the whole mission of the Church.

“The church is called to be pastoral — to look after individual people: to be evangelistic — to tell people the Good News and invite them to accept it; to be social — to help... those suffering from racial, economic and other forms of injustice; and to be ecumenical — to encourage good relations with other Christian denominations.” (p32 & 33, Practical Church Management by James Behrens)

Therefore those wishing to stand for the PCC should to that end be prepared to

Membership of the PCC

Those who can be elected to the PCC must

PCC and Church Relationships

Members of the PCC represent the congregation and should therefore be aware of different views within the congregation.

The PCC’s role is to work together with the Parish Priest and the Council should be a forum where ideas are discussed freely. Matters to be discussed can include matters relating to parish work, as discussed above, and the relationship between the parish and the deanery and diocese. Confidential matters concerning individuals are not to be discussed within the PCC.

Rights and Duties of the PCC

The PCC’s areas of responsibility cover the property of the church (including the church building with its contents and the church yard) and the finances of the church community.

Property: Each year the PCC will receive the Churchwardens’ report on the fabric of the church and can make changes to this. When the Quinquennial Report is received every five years, the PCC are responsible for ensuring necessary work takes place. The PCC is also responsible for insurance of property.

Financial Affairs: As trustees, members of the PCC have responsibility for church expenditure. Each year they can set a budget, and they receive the audited accounts from the church treasurer and present this to the Annual Meeting.

Worship: The PCC in consultation with the parish priest set times and forms of Church services, but not content.

Miscellaneous: The PCC need to agree if an organist is to be dismissed, should agree to any church-sharing scheme and has a right to be consulted if the church is to be subject to a pastoral scheme. The PCC can also contact the rural dean and archdeacon in relation to matters of welfare to do with the church.

Deanery Synod
The Synod’s function

The Deanery Synod is there to consult together on matters concerning the local area (but this does not extend to the Doctrine of the Church). The nature of these matters is linked with the whole mission of the church.

“The church is called to be pastoral — to look after individual people: to be evangelistic — to tell people the Good News and invite them to accept it; to be social — to help... those suffering from racial, economic and other forms of injustice; and to be ecumenical — to encourage good relations with other Christian denominations.” (p32 & 33, Practical Church Management by James Behrens)

Therefore those wishing to stand for the Synod should to that end be prepared to

Membership of the Synod

Those who can be elected to the Deanery Synod must

Duties of the Synod

The Synod meets to consult together four times a year in one or other of the churches within the deanery.

In the Diocese of Chichester the Deanery Synod is responsible for apportioning the Deanery Contribution among parishes in the Parish Contribution.

Members of the Deanery Synod elect members of Diocesan Synod and the General Synod.


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