Churchwardens are chosen annually by a meeting of parishioners, which has to be held by 30 April in each year. Candidates should be nominated and seconded in writing by persons entitled to attend the meeting. Those entitled to attend include all those whose names are on the electoral roll of the parish and those residing in the parish whose names appear on the local government register of electors. The meeting is called by the minister of the parish or, if there is no minister, by the existing churchwardens. Notice of the meeting is given by displaying a notice on or near the principal door of the parish church and of every other building in the parish which is licensed for public worship. The notice should be displayed for a period including the last two Sundays before the meeting.
Candidates for churchwarden should state on the nomination paper that they are willing to serve as a churchwarden and are not disqualified from doing so. The nomination paper must be received by the minister of the parish before the meeting starts.
Churchwardens must:
(a) be on the church electoral roll
(b) be actual communicants
(c) be aged at least 21
(d) not be disqualified
Where a person is not qualified under (a), (b) or (c), the Bishop may permit that person to hold office if it appears to him that there are exceptional circumstances to justify this.
To become a churchwarden, a person chosen by the parish meeting has to be admitted to office. This takes place at a time and place set annually by the Bishop, not later than 31 July each year. The person chosen appears before the Bishop or his representative, usually the Archdeacon, and declares that they will faithfully and diligently perform the duties of the office and that they are not disqualified from holding the office.
The new churchwarden continues in office for a maximum of six years or until replaced by a successor. After six successive terms a new candidate must be found unless the parish meeting passes a resolution that the six year maximum is not to apply in the parish.
A churchwarden may resign only by written notice of intention sent to the Diocesan Bishop by post, which shall have effect at the end of two months, or at an earlier date determined by the Bishop after consulting the minister and the other churchwarden.
