Photo: David Rider

Through a unified focus on church planting, revitalization, and redevelopment, our congregational vitality team works with dioceses and local leaders to cultivate vibrant, mission-centered communities rooted in our Gospel call to share the love of Jesus and serve our neighbors. This work will take place in three forms:

Church planting: The creation of new Episcopal communities
Congregational revitalization: Helping established congregations become more vital in worship, outreach, discipleship, and hospitality
Redevelopment: Supporting dioceses in developing mission-focused strategies for their buildings and properties

In a broad consultation with churchwide leaders—including bishops, diocesan staff, and practitioners—the congregational vitality team carried out a 2025-2026 churchwide assessment with colleagues in ethnic ministries. This assessment looked closely at what is working well in Episcopal dioceses and congregations, where gaps exist, and how best to empower local efforts through opportunities to build stronger relationships, more accessible resources, and sustained support.

Informed by these findings, guided by our vision for a more connected church, and working closely with Episcopal ethnic missioners to strengthen support for ethnic and multicultural communities, our congregational vitality ministry seeks to do the following:

Support new Episcopal communities
Help dioceses and churches use buildings and property more effectively for mission
Equip communities to respond creatively and faithfully to the needs of their neighbors through diocesan partnerships, leadership development, coaching, shared learning, and practical resources tailored to local contexts
Honor culturally rooted expressions of faith

Meet the team

The Rev. Jason Shank, director for congregational vitality, brings experience in church planting and ministry leadership and oversees vision, strategy, and relationships with dioceses, congregations, and ministry collaborators.

Haley Bankey, senior manager for congregational vitality, brings experience in churchwide networks, assessment, and program development and guides implementation and operational coordination.

How to engage

In addition to subscribing to receive updates, watch for these in-person and virtual opportunities to get connected with resources and support.

Congregational Vitality All-Calls (second Thursdays, 12-1 p.m. ET): Connect monthly with other revitalization, church planters, and redevelopment practitioners for updates, shared learning, and focused conversations. Learn more.
Topical webinars: Explore practical resources and emerging strategies through sessions shaped by assessment findings and ongoing feedback.
Planter discernment workshops: Explore your calling, leadership gifts, readiness, and your diocese’s capacity to start a new Episcopal community.
Taking the Next Steps church-planting workshop: Advanced learning and practical strategies for experienced church planters and their leadership teams.
D3: Diocesan Data Dashboard: Bishops and diocesan staff can receive training on D3, a free interactive tool that helps users explore Episcopal Church parochial report data, create customized graphs, and identify congregational trends useful in diocesan planning. Virtual onboarding sessions provide staff with a guided introduction and hands-on support. To learn more or schedule a session, email Haley Bankey.