Vestry Reflections: Cultivating Spiritual Growth in Church Leaders

by Marc D. Smith Ph.D

Overview

A practical, uplifting guide designed to help congregational leadership navigate current issues and inspire deeper thought and contemplation.

In this powerful collection of reflections, the Rev. Dr. Marc Smith offers thoughtful insights and practical guidance for vestries and other church leadership bodies. Addressing key issues like evangelism, social justice, stewardship, and parish life, each chapter includes opening and closing prayers, reflective essays, quotes, and discussion questions designed to equip church leaders to approach their work with wisdom, grace, and a deeper sense of purpose.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781640657809
Publisher:	Church Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date:	11/11/2025
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Marc D. Smith, Ph.D. is the retired Chaplain to the Vestry at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Boulder, Colorado, where he previously was on its staff as Priest-in-Residence. Earlier, he served two parishes in St. Louis, Missouri, following a 35-year career in health care academic and executive leadership. He lives in Longmont, Colorado.

 

Editorial Reviews

Rev. Marc Smith’s Vestry Reflections is grounded in his deep faith, practical spirituality, and decades-long experience in church leadership. He masterfully lays out his book, incorporating prayers, quotes, something to ponder, vestry discussions and anecdotal stories, all of which serve to encourage not only vestry persons but church leaders. This book will encourage you to reflect deeper and understand the purpose for which you are called and how to integrate and navigate the intricate pathways of leading, communicating and achieving goals.

Prince Thomas

"Not many lay people elected to governing bodies in churches see their role as including the encouragement of spiritual growth in the congregations that have called them to it. Marc Smith has given us a way to assure leaders that they have what it takes to be spiritual resources as well as can-do people."

retired priest and author of Jesus Wept: When The Rev. Barbara C. Crafton

"In a time in which congregational vitality and ministry is increasingly context dependent, this book is timely and practical. Grounded in scripture and prayer, this book guides Vestries in doing the important work of discernment and listening for how the Holy Spirit is calling us to be church in the world."

Bishop of Colorado The Rt. Rev. Kym Lucas

"Marc Smith offers life-giving water from the deep well of faith to support, strengthen, and sustain those called to lead in this season of the life of the Church. A much-needed re-grounding in the Good News of Jesus at a time when leaders are bombarded with overwhelming demands, Smith offers an oasis of hope to ground us in remembering who we are and who we are called to follow."

Bishop of Missouri The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson

"Vestry Reflections is a rich resource for vestries and church leaders looking to enhance their ability to lead faithfully. As church leaders, our challenge is to integrate the core tenets of faith with the best practices of governance. Many issues come before us, both spiritual and administrative. How can we meet these challenges as leaders of faith? Dr. Smith offers us compelling essays, each a creative melding of personal experience, substantial scholarship and scripture in the form of readings and discussion questions. The practical guidance it contains is meant to support our growth as a leadership group. It supported ours. It can support yours too! It’s a must read!

Sue Morse