Over the past several months, the American Anglican Council (AAC) and the Diocese of Western Anglicans partnered together to bring renewal and revitalization to several regions across the diocese. Rather than gathering churches for a single event, the Diocese brought in the AAC’s Anglican Revitalization Ministries to host Revive in each deanery. The result was three Regional Revive workshops in Arizona, San Diego, and Los Angeles, bringing together clergy and lay leaders from across the Diocese to focus on church health, spiritual renewal, evangelism, and faithful mission.
What emerged was more than a series of workshops. It became a practical model for how an entire diocese can begin moving together toward revitalization.
The journey began in Arizona, where clergy and lay leaders gathered for a weekend centered on a foundational conviction: there is no revitalization without renewal. Through worship, teaching, prayer, and ministry time, participants were challenged to move beyond strategies and programs and rediscover their dependence on the Holy Spirit as the source of lasting transformation. From that foundation, the conversation expanded into vision, church health, and leading change faithfully within local congregations.
That same pattern continued in San Diego. Hosted by Dean Brian Hughes at Holy Spirit Anglican Church, five congregations gathered for a day of teaching and practical application. Churches sat together throughout the workshop, discussing how Revive principles could be applied within their unique contexts. Leaders left not only inspired but equipped with practical next steps for strengthening the health and mission of their congregations.
Most recently, clergy and lay leaders from across the Los Angeles Deanery gathered for the third Regional Revive. Like the previous gatherings, the workshop combined teaching, discussion, prayer, and collaborative planning. By this point, a clear pattern had emerged. Churches were beginning the work of discerning how God was calling them to become healthier, more mission-focused, and more effective in reaching their communities.
What makes the Western Anglicans experience especially significant is that it demonstrated revitalization can spread across an entire diocese and not just at the parish level. Many dioceses contain congregations facing similar challenges in attendance, leadership fatigue, questions about mission, and adapting faithfully to changing communities. While those challenges are real, they are not permanent and when partnered together with other congregations, facing them can become much easier.
Regional Revives create an environment where churches can learn together, encourage one another, and develop practical strategies for growth and renewal. Because the workshops are organized by deanery or region, they are accessible, cost-effective, and capable of engaging multiple congregations at once. At the same time, each participating church is given space to reflect on its own unique opportunities and challenges.
The Diocese of Western Anglicans also illustrates another important principle: revitalization works best when bishops, deans, clergy, and lay leaders are engaged together. Healthy churches rarely emerge from isolated efforts. They grow when leadership is aligned around a shared vision of renewal, mission, and disciple-making.
Anglican Revitalization Ministries helps churches across North America move toward greater health. Through Revive Workshops, Renew Weekends, coaching, consulting, and long-term revitalization processes, ARM helps identify barriers to growth, strengthen leadership, clarify mission, and develop actionable plans for the future. The Regional Revives in Western Anglicans represent one example of how that process can be scaled across an entire diocese. The model is simple, reproducible, and already bearing fruit.
As dioceses and congregations begin planning for the fall, now is the ideal time to schedule a Revive Workshop. Fall calendars fill quickly, and many churches find that beginning revitalization work before Advent allows them to enter a new ministry year with greater clarity, momentum, and purpose.
Whether you are a bishop looking to bring a Regional Revive to your deaneries or a rector seeking renewal for your own congregation, Anglican Revitalization Ministries can help. The need for healthy churches has never been greater. The opportunity has never been clearer.
Now is the time to begin.
Ready to Bring Revive to Your Diocese or Parish?
Fall 2026 dates are now being scheduled. Contact Canon Mark Eldredge today to discuss a Regional Revive, parish workshop, or coaching process before the calendar fills. To learn more about Revive Workshops, Regional Revives, Renew Weekends, or ARM coaching resources, contact Canon Mark Eldredge and schedule a conversation today by visiting www.churchrevive.org.