Here we provide a list organisations and resources for those interested in using digital technologies for mission and ministry. Although some resources are provided by mainstream churches, such as the Church of England, useful initiatives are also being undertaken by universities, Christian organisations, loosely connected groups and even individuals.
UK and Ireland
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Its ministries include Search For Jesus Internet Evangelism, which aims to respond to people around the world who are searching for answers online.
Christian Enquiry Agency
Produces the recently revamped website christianity.org.uk aimed at people looking for answers to questions about Christianity online. The Christian Enquiry Agency is an agency of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
Church of England
The Church of England has a communications and media training programme, usually run from Church House in London, aiming to provide high quality affordable courses for individuals and organisations associated with the churches.
Courses include:
- resourcing your parish
- delivering your message
- print and broadcast media
- web and social media
The Church of England also started a one year experiment from October 2015 broadcasting Church services across the world using mobile technology. Called ChurchLive, each week a different church will broadcast a live service via Twitter’s Periscope app.
Church and Media Network
The Church and Media Network was established in 2009 with the intention of building bridges between the media and the Christian community. It is an inter-denominational network run by Christians with extensive experience in the media, including TV, radio, print and digital media.
It has 3 projects:
- themedianet – supporting Christians in the media
- Day of Prayer for the media
- Church and Media Network conference
CODEC
CODEC is a research centre of the University of Durham exploring the interfaces between the Bible, the digital environment and contemporary culture.
Its initiatives include:
- MediaLit course which explores Christian ministry and the media.
- BigBible Project which seeks to draw Christians into deeper engagement with the Bible through local reading groups and online conversations
- Digidisciple – part of the BigBible Project, CODEC fosters a ‘network’ for those who seek to live out their Biblically-informed Christian faith in the digital space.
- CODEC helps organise the Premier Digital Awards and Conference in partnership with Premier Digital.
Internet Evangelism day
A website and annual day aimed at communicating the outreach potential of the Web to the worldwide church. Although co-ordinated from the UK it is aimed at the global Church. It was initiated by the Internet Evangelism Coalition (IEC) – an umbrella group of evangelical Christian organisations (listed here).
The website contains a wealth of information about using digital technologies for Christian outreach, including Church websites and social media. It also includes a list of recommended books (many of which can be downloaded free).
Premier Digital
Premier Digital, part of Premier (Premier Christian Media Trust), aims to envision churches and the Christian community with what can be achieved through new media; to educate and inform with practical guidance and expertise on a range of new media subjects; and to link churches, projects, organisations and individuals to increase the impact of the combined efforts and resources.
It has a section of resources providing advice on websites and social media, and organises the Premier Digital Awards & Conference (formerly the Christian New Media Awards & Conference) in partnership with CODEC.
Your Church in the News
A website from Robbie Lane, a former BBC journalist, newsreader and producer, providing advice on how churches can raise their profile in their local area.
