How are parishes governed in the Episcopal Church?

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In the Episcopal Church, the governance of a local congregation depends on its financial status:

  • Parishes: Self-supporting congregations are governed by a lay board known as a vestry, which manages temporal affairs, while a rector serves as the spiritual leader.1
  • Missions: Congregations that are not self-supporting are directed by the bishop of the area.1

These parishes and missions are organized into a diocese, which is headed by a bishop elected by an annual convention of clergy and laity representatives from all congregations within that territory.1