ECF’s May Board Meeting highlights the impact of the Diocesan Vitality Initiative (DVI) in the Episcopal Diocese of SW Florida.
By Julie Gehm
ECF's spring Board meeting highlighted one of ECF’s newest programs—the Diocesan Vitality Initiative (DVI). DVI builds on ECF’s extensive leadership development work from the past years. Launched in 2023, DVI is an ECF pilot program led by the Rt. Rev. Brian N. Prior, ECF Bishop in Residence, a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation, and DVI Senior Consultant. Endorsed by Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, DVI partners with dioceses to identify adaptive challenges and develop processes that increase mission impact and foster a sustainable future.
The Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida is one of eight dioceses that have experienced the transformative impact of DVI’s 3D Define-Disrupt-Develop process and the 4C Coaching-Cohorts-Context-Collaboration framework developed by Bishop Prior.
At the Board meeting, the Rt. Rev. Douglas G. Scharf shared how he and his team, coached by Bishop Prior and collaborating with their DVI cohort, developed a transformative vision for the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Through DVI, they identified three key areas of challenge and opportunity: congregational sustainability, regional structures, and land and asset development. He then outlined strategic pathways for the diocese: transforming communities, embracing differences, developing leaders, and forming disciples.
A diocesan visioning day themed "oneness" was held for the Diocese, illustrated by their logo, “ONE,” with the diocesan shield forming the O. This emphasizes the diocese's unity and shifts focus away from parochialism. “Unity is the coming together of different people to DO something,” said Bishop Scharf. “Oneness is the coming together of different people to BE something.”
Tangible impacts of DVI in the Diocese of Southwest Florida include:
- Canon for Finance and Administration Mike Booher organized the budget according to the four pathways and worked with churches to develop land for sustainability.
- A historically Black church in Tampa formed a partnership with the city, selling a parcel of land to support affordable workforce housing. The proceeds funded a perpetual endowment for ministry.
- A church in Naples sold property to build approximately 90 housing units.
- In St. Petersburg, a church that had closed sold its property to Habitat for Humanity, with proceeds funding a rectory for a consolidated church.
- Churches in Pinellas County are consolidating and using proceeds from land sales to establish new churches and outreach centers.
- New life is emerging from challenging property maintenance situations. While the closing of churches has caused grief, there has been very little dissent.
When asked about the most impactful aspect of DVI, Bishop Scharf said it was being part of the cohort. “The collaboration was transformational,” he explained. With 13% of bishops ordained since 2018 participating in DVI, the program is approaching a tipping point in its influence within the church. The cohort models and ideas are being shared organically throughout the House of Bishops.
DVI Cohort 3 is scheduled to start in October 2026. Four dioceses are in the preliminary stages of DVI onboarding, and 10 more are interested in participating.
Championed by DVI Campaign Chair, The Rev. Dick Schell, former Head of Kent School, DVI has gained the strong support of Episcopal philanthropist Chuck Royce, along with a select group of forward-thinking Episcopal donors investing in DVI to help realize Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe’s vision for a vibrant, sustainable future for The Episcopal Church. In addition to ECF’s institutional backing, loyal donors at every level are joining the effort to fully fund DVI Cohort 3.
ECF is now seeking $25,000 to reach its funding goal for DVI Cohort 3. Each diocese pays a participation fee to join DVI. ECF’s support, combined with donor contributions, helps cover the remaining costs.
You are warmly invited to support DVI with your prayerful, generous gift. If this report has inspired you, please share it with others who want to support Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe’s vision for a vibrant, sustainable future for The Episcopal Church by contributing to DVI. For assistance in making a gift to ECF for DVI, contact Yvonne Lembo, Senior Director of Stewardship, Foundations, and Institutional Giving, at [email protected] or 917-428-4431.
About the Author
Julie Gehm of Sioux Falls, SD became a member of the ECF Board of Directors in 2024. She has had a 40+ year career in communications, journalism, marketing, and public relations, mostly in the nonprofit sector, and currently leads marketing and communications for the operational and fund-raising components of LifeScape, an organization serving people with disabilities.