A practical guide to church community life.

Taking the approach of Michael Pollan’s Food Rules, Community Rules seeks to distill the basics of “good church” into a set of memorable rules. Working with three sections, the authors draw on their years of combined experience in academic and church administration to identify the basic Christian principles that underpin Episcopal community and then apply them to actions and relationships. The book seeks to explicate the best personnel practices, as well as good governance and communal life together, alongside a framing within the Christian worldview. The goal is to provide a text that can serve as a guide for any and all members of a parish, most especially those who serve on vestries or as volunteers.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION

Section I: Basic Christian Rules

Section II: Basic Christian Rules in Relationship

Section III: Basic Christian Rules in Communication

Section IV: Basic Christian Rules in Action

Section V: Basic Christian Rules in Meetings

Section VI: Basic Christian Rules for Clergy and Employees

Section VII: Basic Christian Rules for Vestries

Section VIII: Basic Christian Rules for Parishioners

Section IX: Remember the Basics

FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO GO DEEPER