The leaders of St.Philip’s
Episcopal Church were surprised—and disappointed—by their initial REVEAL
results. After all, their 10-year old church plant in Frisco, Texas, was
growing rapidly. And the church’s young, professional congregation was dynamic,
highly relational, and very involved in serving both the local community and
worldwide missions.
Senior Pastor Clay Lein recalls the sequence of his own reactions
to the January 2009 survey feedback, including a Spiritual Vitality Index of 57
(in the lower half of all surveyed churches.) He questioned how—with all the
church’s growth and good work—this could be true. He then wondered whether his
congregation might be typical of most Episcopalians. “But almost as quickly as
having those thoughts,” Clay says, “I felt really convicted by the Holy Spirit
to say, ‘Really? That’s the best you can do?’”
A few weeks later, aboard a plane, Clay purposefully dug into the
package of REVEAL results and their implications. He read and took notes
throughout the flight, coming to some specific conclusions as the plane taxied
in—including the opportunity provided by the church’s large number of seekers.
This in-flight examination was followed by both prayer and
interaction with fellow church leaders, as well as input from congregation
members experienced in areas from HR to analysis. Their recommendations led
Clay and his team to specific changes that would best leverage St. Philip’s strengths and most effectively address its needs.
While their spiritual growth index of 67 on a subsequent (Jan.
2011) survey reflects a positive trajectory, it’s the changes put in place and
the congregation’s enthusiastic buy-in that are creating real excitement—both
within St. Philip’s and in the wider REVEAL community.
Pastor Lein will share the church’s transformation story at the REVEAL – North Texas conference on
October 25, 2012.
