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There have been many books written to assist churchwardens in

discharging their duties, detailing their responsibilities in respect of the

intricacies of ecclesiastical law and making the role seem quite a

challenge.

The office of churchwarden is one of the oldest recognised forms of Lay

Ministry and is the highest position of trust and responsibility that the

Church gives to its lay people. The churchwarden is a lay official in a

parish or congregation of the Anglican Communion, usually working as a

part-time volunteer. They are ex officio members of the parish board,

usually called a vestry, parochial church council, or in the case of a

cathedral parish, the chapter.

Over the centuries churchwardens have acquired many ‘hats,’ carrying

out tasks that required a broad range of skills both practical and

pastoral. They came to the fore during the time when the vestry evolved

to be a key element of political democracy in local government.

The aim of this, sometimes whimsical, book is to illustrate the various

roles and situations churchwardens would have had to deal with, from

the early years of the Christian Church to the present time. By exploring

these important roles and their dilemmas in interpreting complex laws

and social problems throughout the ages, will perhaps reassure current

post-holders that they are indeed better off than their predecessors.

Paperback ISBN: 9781784566227