We heard recently of a congregation which was having so much trouble finding members who would allow themselves to be nominated for vestry at the annual meeting, that the congregation had to vote to revise its bylaws and re-elect the entire vestry for another term. Then there are the churches whose leadership is so entrenched that it is virtually impossible to vote vestry members out of office.

Fortunately these situations are the exception rather than the norm. In most parishes, there are plenty of qualified persons who are willing to take on leadership positions in the church. This is the time of year when candidates are being assembled for election at the annual meeting.Vestry members and wardens must be found, and delegates are elected to diocesan conventions, councils or synods. Serving in these capacities is an honor and a privilege and should be taken seriously. If the rector or vicar should leave, the roles of vestry or bishop's committee members take on added signficance.

When the annual meetings take place in congregations (many of them are scheduled in January), we hope members of parishes will be serious about electing qualified, prayerful leaders. Elections to church offices are not popularity contests, nor should they be treated that way.