Meet the
Rev. Frank Allen
The Rev. W. Frank Allen is a priest, preacher, teacher, and companion to people seeking to lead with faith and clarity. His work begins with listeningto a person's story, a congregation's hopes, the gifts already present, and the questions that will not go away. He brings theological reflection and practical attention to what can happen next.
Frank brings more than 30 years of experience to the conversation. Frank led St. David’s Episcopal Church in Radnor, Pennsylvania, where he served as rector from 1997 until his retirement in January 2024. Before St. David’s, he served at St. John’s in Roanoke, Virginia. He studied history at Duke University, worked as a construction executive in Philadelphia, and later attended Virginia Theological Seminary.
Frank’s ministry has extended beyond the parish. He has served on the Diocese of Pennsylvania’s Standing Committee, twice represented the diocese at the Episcopal Church’s General Convention, and has developed resources for adult baptism, confirmation, and spiritual gifts. These experiences provide a strong foundation for the coaching and leadership work he has been doing for decades in the Church.
Frank and his wife have three grown children.
Why “Leading with Visions”?
Most of us carry more than one vision for our lives and work. We see possibilities for the people we serve, the communities we love, and the lives we hope to lead. Some of those visions complement one another. Others compete for our time, energy, and attention.
Church leaders know this tension well. A congregation may feel called to deepen worship, care for its members, welcome new people, and serve its neighbors. Each hope may be good. The question is how to listen for God’s calling in the midst of them: What is the Spirit stirring in us? What is ours to do now? What might we need to let go?
Leading with Visions creates space for that discernment. Through coaching, retreats, preaching, and teaching, Frank helps people recognize the gifts God has given them, attend to the movement of the Holy Spirit, and take a faithful next step. Being led by the Spirit does not always mean receiving one clear vision all at once. Often, it means listening together, testing what we sense, and trusting God to guide us as we go.