Leadership in the Episcopal Church
Every Episcopal Church is located within a geographical region called a "diocese," a large grouping of congregations that share a common life together under the leadership of the Diocesan Bishop. Every Episcopal Church is led by elected or appointed lay members and an ordained person, usually a priest. In parish churches, like Church of the Incarnation, the lay leaders and ordained leader make up the governing body called the Vestry. Two lay leaders are assigned special areas of responsibility and they are called "Wardens." The Wardens work especially closely with the priest in overseeing the full range of church activities. The remaining vestry members also provide leadership for a parish church. The priest is elected and called to the parish by the Vestry with the approval of the Diocesan Bishop. The priest in charge of a parish church is usually called a "Rector," although where a priest is called for a specified period of time he or she is usually referred to as a "Priest-in-Charge."