Community Rules: An Episcopal Manual

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.

Ian S. Makham is the Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and a Professor of Theology and Ethics. He is the author of numerous books, including Against Atheism and An Introduction to Ministry (co-written with Oran Warder). His awards include the Robertson Fellow; Claggett Fellow attached to Washington National Cathedral; Frank Woods Fellow at Trinity College, Melbourne; and F. D. Maurice Lectures at King’s College, London. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

Kathryn Glover, is Vice President for administration and institutional effectiveness at Virginia Theological Seminary. With oversight for human resources, strategic planning, governance, hospitality and childcare, Glover has extensive experience in nonprofit management and administration in both the United States and abroad. Glover earned a magna cum laude bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, and a Master of Public Administration within nonprofit management from George Mason University.