Diocesan Vitality Initiative
About the Diocesan Vitality Initiative
The Diocesan Vitality Initiative is a collaborative movement within the Episcopal Diocese of Utah that helps congregations and leaders embrace new possibilities for ministry. Rather than focusing primarily on maintaining existing structures, the initiative encourages communities to cultivate formation, mission, healthy leadership, and shared ministry.
Grounded in prayer, relationship, and strategic vision, the Vitality Initiative supports congregations as they discern where God is calling them next. Through collaboration, innovation, and mutual support, churches across the Diocese are discovering new ways to strengthen discipleship, deepen community engagement, and build sustainable ministries for the future.
About the Diocesan Vitality Initiative
Coaching
Providing monthly team meetings to fuel awareness, accountability, and spiritual support for leaders.
Context
Leveraging unique challenges and opportunities—from urban centers to rural outposts—to ensure local relevance.
Collaboration
Harnessing the genius of the whole diocese, moving away from "siloed" ministry toward a common good.
Cohort
Pooling wisdom through experiential learning and peer-groups to navigate the changing landscape of the Church.
The Vitality Model
Vitality is more than growth in numbers—it is the visible expression of a healthy, Spirit-led community. A vital congregation is marked by joy, meaningful relationships, faithful stewardship, and a willingness to respond to God’s call in new ways.
As Bishop Michael Hunn reminds us:
"Surprise is a sign of vitality. If we are not being surprised by what the Spirit is doing, we are probably just following our own plans."
When congregations remain open to the movement of the Holy Spirit, they become places where transformation can happen. Vitality invites churches to look beyond maintenance and toward mission, encouraging creativity, collaboration, and faithful stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to them.
The Vitality Model helps congregations discern their strengths, identify opportunities for growth, and align their ministries with the larger mission of the Diocese and the Church.
What Is a Fractal?
The Diocesan Vitality Initiative is organized through four interconnected ministry teams, or fractals: Congregational Vitality, Discipleship Vitality, Financial Vitality, and Evangelism Vitality. Together, they support the spiritual and institutional health of the diocese by forming disciples, strengthening congregations, encouraging responsible stewardship, and embodying the Episcopal Church’s witness in the world.
Fractals are not traditional committees. They are collaborative teams that bring together people with different experiences, gifts, and areas of expertise. Each fractal develops ministry within its particular area while remaining connected to the work of the others. This structure encourages shared leadership, creativity, and the development of new teams as ministries grow.
Congretional
Staff walking alongside congregations to increase church health through cohorts and visits.
Evangelism
Lived Episcopal Identity in the public square. Includes peace & justice work.
Vitality
The central leadership team guiding the entire initiative, grounded in the Book of Acts.
Financial
Moving from regulation to support. Focus on financial literacy, discretionary funds, and TENS.
Pride
Ensuring a strong diocesan presence at Pride 2025/2026 and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Discipleship
Focuses on Clergy Development, retreats, and lay discernment processes.
Clergy Dev
Specific planning for clergy retreats and formation.
Strategic Fractals
The work of the Diocesan Vitality Initiative is organized through several strategic fractals that focus on key areas of diocesan life:
Congregational Vitality
The Congregational Vitality Fractal accompanies congregations as they discern how God is already at work among them and where the Spirit may be leading them next. Its work is relational rather than regulatory: listening to congregations, celebrating their gifts, helping them name challenges, and connecting them with appropriate formation, resources, and support.
This fractal coordinates Vitality Days, parish visits, leadership conversations, and training opportunities for lay ministers. Its work may include formation for lay preachers and worship leaders, Godly Play training, ministry development, and other resources that strengthen worship, leadership, discipleship, and community engagement. Congregational Vitality recognizes that every church has a distinctive context and that renewal cannot be reduced to a single program or measure of success.
Discipleship Vitality
The Discipleship Vitality Fractal focuses on the lifelong formation of people who seek to follow Jesus and embody their faith. It helps ensure that spiritual formation is not treated as a separate diocesan program, but remains at the heart of leadership, ministry, and decision-making.
Its work supports theological learning, clergy formation, continuing education, spiritual practices, and opportunities for deeper engagement with scripture and the Christian tradition. The fractal also helps cultivate a shared understanding that vitality is ultimately about discipleship: becoming people and communities whose lives are increasingly shaped by Christ.
Financial Vitality
The Financial Vitality Fractal helps congregations develop the knowledge, practices, and systems needed to sustain their ministry with integrity. Financial vitality is not simply about increasing income. It includes transparency, responsible stewardship, clear administration, faithful use of resources, and the ability to align financial decisions with a congregation’s mission.
The fractal offers practical education and support in areas such as financial reporting, discretionary funds, budgeting, stewardship, and congregational financial systems. Its purpose is to make financial practices more understandable and manageable while helping leaders see finances as part of the church’s spiritual and missional life.
Evangelism Vitality
The Evangelism Vitality Fractal supports the diocese in sharing the good news of God’s love through public witness, invitation, storytelling, service, and authentic relationship. Evangelism is understood not as selling the church, but as helping individuals and congregations recognize, articulate, and embody how the Gospel is shaping their lives.
Its work includes initiatives such as Rooted in Jesus, Pride ministry, public conversations about faith and civic life, and resources that help congregations engage their surrounding communities. The fractal encourages Episcopalians to speak about their faith with humility and confidence, build relationships beyond church walls, and participate faithfully in the concerns of the wider world.
Although each fractal has a particular focus, their work is deeply connected. Congregations flourish when disciples are formed, leaders are equipped, finances are handled faithfully, and the church’s life is shared beyond its walls. Through collaboration across the four fractals, the Diocesan Vitality Initiative seeks to foster a Spirit-led, relational, and vibrant diocesan community.
Guided by Vision
The Diocesan Vitality Initiative is guided by leaders committed to helping congregations thrive in a changing world while remaining rooted in the Gospel.
The Rev. Daniela (Dani) Lee
Missioner for Congregational Vitality
The Rev. Dani Lee works alongside congregations, clergy, and lay leaders to support healthy ministry, strategic planning, leadership development, and collaborative mission throughout the Diocese.
For questions about the Diocesan Vitality Initiative, congregational support, or opportunities to get involved, please contact The Rev. Dani Lee.
Together, we are cultivating vibrant communities of faith that are equipped to follow Jesus, serve our neighbors, and participate in God’s mission throughout Utah.
Join the Vitality Work
Participate in God's Mission throughout Utah
Contact Dani Lee
Missioner for Congregational Vitality