Are there any church wardens on here?

[NannyR]

My vicar has asked if I would like to take up the position of church warden and I'm thinking seriously about it. If you are, or have been a church warden in the past do you have any advice?

I've been told that I won't need to have any responsibility for the church building as there is a team of people who deal with that, I would need to be at church early on sundays, help set up (and clear up) the communion table, count congregation numbers, count the collection money, generally make sure things run smoothly at the two services and attend the PCC meetings. Does that sound about right or in reality will there be lots more that I will need to do?

Thanks

As a church warden your role is twofold. One is to be responsible for the building although in practice you can delegate a lot of it. The other is to make sure your clergyperson is staying sane. How this works in practice varies from church to church. Laying up the table is a server's/deacon's role. Counting the collection isn't a church warden's job. Making sure it is counted by two people who are not related and making sure they enter the amount in the service register is the CW job.

Here you go. London Diocese never uses one word when 10 will do but they are thorough.

www.london.anglican.org/kb/churchwardens/

I am an ex warden, my husband is a warden, and my mum is a warden in another church/diocese. What you will do week to week will really depend on the church, its size, staffing levels etc.
Some Things DH has done recently:
Loads of small DIY jobs
Set up all services- includes setting up communion stuff
Recruitment for new administrator
Health and safety review of whole premises
Regular meeting with incumbent as support/sounding board.

He is a practical type but we do have a group of people who do this too. The other warden is more pastoral/people focused.

My mum meanwhile is helping to oversee a wholesale seating refurbishment but from an admin viewpoint. She doesn't do 'fabric' type jobs.
I found being a warden a lot of work but an enormous privilege and I learnt a lot about good leadership from the vicar, which has been invaluable at work!

Thank you. It seems like there could be a bit more to it than what he's initially told me so I think I'll have a a more formal discussion with him before committing to it.

Have a chat to whoever is stepping down and your fellow warden. Make sure the fellow warden is someone you get on well with. Both DH and I have been lucky in that regard!
My mum always says remember it's a voluntary post. You don't have to do everything and be there all the time. Delegation is essential!

I strongly recommend reading through the book 'Churchwarden's - A Survival Guide' and 'Handbook for Churchwardens and Parochial Church Councillors'.

Whilst you do not bear sole responsibility of the static pars of the building you are responsible for anything that can be moved in the building. Ask to view the 'Terrier' book to find out all that will be your responsibility. This does include the church plate.

Take a good long hard look at the 'team' responsible for the building. You will be working with this team of volunteers in a voluntary [think trustee] kind of way. Are these people you have rapport with that you can build on or have they made their 'roles' into an inpeneratable mess to understand that even the vicar does not dare poke at too hard.

Not all churches have volunteers for everything. CW's are expected to plug gaps either by delegation or holding the fort. Ask if their is any possibility of an interegnum hoving into view during your period of service.

I take responsibility of oversight for the church weekly reciepts - no-one I can delegate this too. I delegated setting up the altar for services to someone else to do. I still bear the responsibility for the provision of bread, wine, candles and care of church plate used.

Seeting up early for church on Sunday doe snot sound too bad unless you have an 8 am communion service. You would often need to be there just after 7am.

As far as the PCC goes. the CW's are ex-officio officers. You would need to contribute your Cw's report at each PCC meeting. You do need to prep a Cw's annual report for the churches APCM. You will need to provide accounatblity to the Archdeacon and complete parish returns and articles of enquiry. No-one mentions that when they are trying to size you up to take on the Canon Law equivilent of a Charity trustee.

In addition I get safeguarding training to do, CW' info days, extra occasional services such as weddings, funerals and baptisms. I cover for additional seasonal services in lent and advent and other times. I am there for the vicar and take their back. I am responsible for the parish when they are on Annual Leave, on a sabbatical or on retreat and away from the parish. I have on occasion lead services when the person booked to do so has been unable to attend on the day.

I am allowed to delegate but bear in mind delegation is only as good as the people you delegate down to. The buck will often stop with you.

The role of the churchwarden is different from parish to parish. Some need to prepare the elements for communion, others do not.

The role of churchwarden is an office of the church, so if you're ever in vacancy the churchwarden takes on the running of the church.

The link PP posted to the Diocese of London is a good one.

Thanks for the replies, they're very helpful. I've got a good list of points and questions to discuss with him before making a decision.

I second the Churchwarden's survival guide. Really helpful and thorough.