Churchwarden Resources

Becoming a churchwarden is a rewarding role, but it can feel a little daunting at first. It is not always easy to know what to expect. You will serve as an officer of the Bishop, partnering with the clergy to lead the laity, care for the church building, and manage church finances. It requires time, commitment, and strong community ties.

The Bishop’s Officer

When the archdeacon admits you as churchwarden, you are formally appointed to this office on the Bishop’s behalf. During the year, the Bishop may wish to consult you about the parish, and there may be times when you need to contact them. In the event that you must resign from your role, you should write to the Bishop.

A Support for the Vicar or Priest in Charge

Clergy rely on their churchwardens to be dependable colleagues and, often, supportive friends, sharing responsibility for the life of the parish.

Representing the Laity

Churchwardens set an example for lay people, both in the PCC and across the wider parish. People may bring their concerns about the church to a churchwarden. Wisdom and common sense are among the greatest gifts a churchwarden can offer.

Church property and good order in services

Churchwardens are responsible for the safekeeping of certain church property and often oversee the care of the building – although this can be delegated. They can also take responsibility for the smooth running of church services, including welcoming newcomers.

During a vacancy

The Bishop will probably appoint the rural dean and the churchwardens as caretakers of the parish, known in legal terms as ‘sequestrators’. This means there will be additional responsibilities while the parish is between vicars

As a churchwarden, it is important to build and nurture a number of key relationships over time.

The Vicar / Priest-in-Charge

This relationship is central to parish life. You should offer genuine support and loyalty, while still sharing constructive ideas and honest feedback when needed. What matters most is a spirit of trust, mutual understanding, and shared purpose. Regular meetings help to build strong teamwork in
leading the parish together. Vicars and churchwardens are partners in ministry, working side by side with respect – not in hierarchy, but in collaboration.

The PCC Officers and others

In this role you help shape a positive and welcoming spirit within the church, so good relationships across the whole church matter. It is important to work closely with the PCC treasurer and secretary.
Treasurers in particular give a great deal of time to the church, so do offer encouragement, as a good treasurer is truly a gift and should be valued. You will also benefit from having an understanding of the church’s finances.

The Rural Dean

Your rural dean – usually a nearby vicar – is a key source of support, especially during a vacancy or if your vicar is unwell. They are always happy to hear about any challenges and can offer guidance or suggest ways forward. They may also be involved in discussions about parish arrangements or local mission, helping you stay connected with nearby churches, and giving opportunities for churchwardens to meet together.

Your Archdeacon

You can contact your archdeacon if questions can’t be resolved within the parish. They are there to help, and bring a wealth of experience, often having served as vicars and rural deans themselves. With their wider view of diocesan life, they can offer practical advice or point you towards the
right person for support.

Your Bishop

Bishops value the insights of churchwardens especially during times of change or challenge. During a vacancy, you will likely be in contact with the suffragan bishop and archdeacon who form part of the wider network of support and guidance at such times.

This is an attempt at a non-technical summary of the responsibilities and duties of a churchwarden – it is by no means complete!

Being a support to the Vicar / Priest-in-Charge

A vicar will often look to the churchwarden first for advice, good counsel and support in the running and shaping of the parish and the thinking out of church policy.
Ministry can sometimes feel like a lonely calling, so your support is deeply valued. Gentle, honest and constructive feedback, built on a healthy relationship, is often needed by clergy just as it is by any other public figure. However, this should always be given in the spirit of trust, to provide insight to foster growth, and to help nurture and build a healthy culture.
Churchwardens can also help to ensure their vicar takes proper rest and holiday, and provide a trusted listening ear for ideas, needs and concerns.

A leader in the PCC and Standing Committees

As churchwarden, you are automatically a member of the PCC and standing committees, helping to shape the parish mission, finances, buildings, staffing and more.

You can help to encourage a wider perspective, helping others to see their part in the life of the church across generations and beyond the parish. This includes good stewardship of the building, generous giving, and collaboration with the wider diocese.

Churchwardens will also take a lead in ensuring clergy expenses are properly covered.

You can do much to help the congregation enjoy and participate fully in services. By being a consistent example of worship, witness to Christ and doing things ‘decently and in order’, your influence will encourage others and have a positive effect on the church.

You have a specific responsibility to ensure services take place without disturbance. Under ancient law you even have the power to arrest those making a disturbance (But this is used sparingly…)

Welcoming people and preparing the church for a service can and should be delegated to sidespeople, who operate as the wardens’ deputies. You should have a clear idea of what needs to be done and be
ready to step in to cover any absences. By leaving the details to sidespeople, you are then free to ‘float’ and keep an overview of things. It is particularly helpful to be in church in good time, so that all is ready as most people start to arrive.

Some churches have additional people allocated for welcoming and helping newcomers to fit in. Recruiting of sidespeople needs to be fairly continuous,. An annual social gathering is encouraged. Sidespeople can be helpful for suggesting improvements and contribute to the smooth running of the church.

In an emergency, such as the the priest or reader failing to arrive and no other authorised minister being available, you can conduct the service with the following clear provisos:

• If the planned service is Holy Communion (the Eucharist), there can be no Ministry of the Sacrament (Eucharistic Prayer and distribution of Holy Communion), so the warden should bring the service to an end after the Intercessions or, in the Book of Common Prayer, after the ‘Comfortable Words’, using the Grace or the Blessing.
• The churchwarden would take the service from the clergy stall, unrobed. The hymns and readings should be the same as arranged. In the absolution after the confession, and in the blessing, he or she should say ‘us ’ instead of ‘you’.
• Please do not attempt an off-the-cuff sermon!
• If the service is Morning or Evening Prayer, it can be followed as planned.

Although it is unlikely that this event will happen while you are in office, it might be worth acquainting yourself with the services in the Book of Common Prayer or Common Worship with a view as to how you would do it. In any case, don’t panic. Just do your best. The congregation will be
grateful to you.

The PCC must ensure someone oversees the care and maintenance of parish properties: church, churchyard, hall, and curate’s house (the diocese maintains the vicarage, except for interior decoration, which the PCC handles). This responsibility is usually managed by the churchwardens, who may delegate it to a suitable person.

Churchwardens are required to:

• Maintain a Church Property Register of all the lands and all articles belong to the parish church.
• Maintain a Log Book recording all alterations, additions and repairs to the church, its lands and articles, as they occur.
• Produce the Church Property Register and the Log book to the PCC early in the calendar year. At the annual visitation, when all churchwardens are sworn in, the archdeacon should be given a list of any changes to either of these documents from the last twelve months.
• Inspect the fabric of the church and articles belonging to the church, and make an annual report to the PCC meeting before the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, and later to the APCM. This should say what has been done or proposed for the fabric and articles of the church in the last year, and especially any action taken or proposed to implement the recommendations of the Inspecting Architect’s latest Quinquennial Inspection report on the church.
• Produce the up-to-date Church Property Register and Log Book (and other registers) when the archdeacon (or representative) makes the three yearly visitation to the parish (A Church Property Register and a Log Book can be obtained from Church House Bookshop Westminster or other Christian bookshops).

Looking after a church is a bit like that old saying: “a stitch in time saves nine”. Small issues can quickly turn into costly repairs if they’re left too long. It really helps to build a good relationship with your architect, as you ’ll rely on their specialist knowledge and advice.

Older buildings don’t behave like modern homes. They don’t have things like damp proof courses, so they need a different approach. Your architect is there to guide you on both the technical side and how to care for your church’s character and appearance.

That said, some of the most effective care is simple. Volunteers or a local builder can make a big difference by clearing gutters and removing plants growing in the stonework, especially things like elder, buddleia, or weeds. Clearing leaves from gutters twice a year might seem basic, but it
can prevent serious problems like dry rot later on, saving both money and worry.

If you’re ever unsure about permissions or how to move forward with work, have a chat with your Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) Secretary, they are there to help (see section 08).

Quinquennial repairs can be a headache. Work on the real priorities and matters that will get worse if not fixed. Aim to set up a regular (or rolling) programme of repairs. As with your home, not everything can be done at once.

It depends on the parish but typically it may involve finding clergy to take services, helping the PCC to draw up a ‘Parish Profile’ stating the needs of the parish, being involved with the Bishop or patron in the process of appointing a new priest and then making arrangements for the licensing service of the new priest.
This is not a responsibility you bear alone and the vacancy process is supported by the PCC, rural dean, archdeacon and suffragan bishop.

As a churchwarden you have a responsibility to ensure you undertake necessary training and hold
a current DBS.
The Diocese provide training sessions to cover the essentials of church governance, fabric maintenance, the faculty system, and your role as an officer of the bishop.
The College of St Hugh produces a monthly Training and Resources Bulletin sent to all churchwardens, keeping you updated on local events and refresher courses.
The Church of England requires all churchwardens to complete specific safeguarding modules:

• Basic Awareness (C0) An online module to build foundational knowledge.
• Foundation (C1) An online or in-person course expanding on safeguarding practices.
• Leadership (C2) Required if you hold specific leadership responsibilities. You can register for these through the Lincoln Diocese Safeguarding Portal (please contact the Safeguarding team for more details 01522 504070).