Online Mission & Ministry

Digital tools – from live streaming worship services to engaging with people on social media – have become a vital part of most congregations’ ministry, alongside in-person connection. Online ministry can blend digital and in-person tools, inviting people to belong to your community and participate in flexible and accessible ways.

The Cast the Net calls to action invite us all to reimagine ministry. Online ministry can offer ways to “embrace collaboration among congregations and innovation in new forms of ministry” (Call #9).

If you have questions, ask the Online Mission and Ministry working group at onlineministry@toronto.anglican.ca. We can’t wait to listen and share your stories of innovation and enhanced accessibility!

You can explore the resources below to support your journey in online mission and ministry. Don’t forget to check back regularly for new resources!

This package is an assessment tool for parishes who are on the hybrid ministry development path.

Volunteer consultants Cynthia Majewski, ODT and Tim Ralph, ODT created these tools for any parish looking to take the next step toward hybrid ministry.

Here are the five elements of the Healthy, Hybrid Church Assessment Tool:

1. A Church Planning Tool: A healthy, hybrid Church
2. Sustainability Package Instruction Guide
3. 2×2 Matrix Exercise – A Hybrid Presence
4. Worksheet A: Planning for Change
5. Worksheet B: Identifying Resistance 

You can try them out and send any ideas or comments to Elizabeth McCaffrey at emccaffrey@toronto.anglican.ca. Elizabeth can also provide volunteer facilitators if you want to engage some outside neighbourly help.

Trying to figure our your church’s hybrid capacity? The hybrid assessment postcard might help!

Watch the Video: Technology and Worship Modalities – Where do you fit?

Tech practitioners in the Diocese have been gathering to learn from experts and from each other about how to use technology for God’s mission, in particular through live streaming. You can find video from these sessions below.

The third Shop Talk session about using OBS to mix different live and pre-recorded video and audio sources was hosted on CHURCHx, a resource hub of the Innovative Ministry Centre at the Toronto United Church Council. Members of CHURCHx can access the session for free.

Below are some resources with links and ideas for churches using social media and other online communication tools. They’re updated periodically.

Have a question about digital communication? Contact Martha Holmen, communications consultant, at mholmen@toronto.anglican.ca.