“Healthy Congregations”: A resource hub of the Diocese of Toronto

“(The Church) is about building communities of hope and compassion through building healthy, sustainable, vibrant parishes. We have identified seven aspects of healthy churches that flow into one another as people enter the traditional model of church. Each aspect is supported by congregational development research and knowledge.”

39 Articles of Religion

Text of 39 articles that were incorporated into the 1604 English prayer book and preserved in the Canadian Book of Common Prayer, which serve as a window into the theological concerns of the reformed English church of the 17th century.

A Disciples Prayer Book

Disciple’s Prayer book for the Anglican Council for Indigenous Peoples. Published by the Indigenous Theological Training Institute in Minneapolis, MN.

ACC eStore

Worship books, hymnals and other Anglican resources available for purchase.

Alpha

Alpha is a series of interactive sessions to explore questions with food, a talk and open discussion. Each session looks at a different question and is designed to create conversation. Designed to be offered in any kind of context (coffee shops, churches, homes, bars).

Anglican-Lutheran Guidelines for Clergy Serving in Each Other’s Churches

Provides guidelines for Anglican and Lutheran clergy serving in each other’s churches as revised in spring 2003 by the National Church Council of the ELCIC and the Council of General Synod of the ACC. Details steps including eligibility, initiative, process, terms of appointment, orientation and accountability. Lists various Anglican and Lutheran resources.

Back to Church Sunday/Season of Invitation

This initiative is designed to equip and encourage lay people to invite people to church for specific Sunday services each year. The program includes invitation postcards and posters, usually customized by each diocese. Training videos are available on the Season of Invitation website. Can be done in conjunction with the Spirit of Invitation six-week program.

Book studies

Over a two-year period, a group of six to eight clergy works their way through a series of books on leadership and congregational development. They meet between seven to nine times a year. At each meeting, one person is responsible for an overview of the book and presenting a “critical incident”, in effect a case study that engages some of the insights from the book in question. Group members become a source of support to each other in their ministry as well as developing skills and knowledge in church leadership.

Called to Unity in Mission

Report on the second phase of dialogue between the Anglican Church of Canada and the United Church of Canada from 2012 to 2016 compares theological and ecclesial understandings of creeds, sacraments, and orders of ministry within the two churches.

Centre for Rural Community Leadership and Ministry

The objective of this initiative is to equip clergy and lay leaders in rural and remote places to help their churches be catalysts for the development of healthy Canadian communities. A resource centre for rural ministry, it includes offering a Doctor of Ministry in Rural Ministry and Community Development by distance with short courses on site. Also offers certificates for lay leaders in faith and rural life and in rural stress intervention. Includes Clinical Pastoral Education in rural settings. Also hosts conferences every two years, with approximately 60 people attending. Includes a focus on reconciliation and friendship building with First Nations.

Competencies for the Ministry of Priests in the Anglican Church of Canada

Preface describes establishment and mandate of Primate’s Commission on Theological Education and Formation for Presbyteral Ministry, purpose of document, overall competencies for ordination to the priesthood in the Anglican Church of Canada and lists members, consultants and staff in Commission.

Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT)

Collects detailed and reliable data about the parish, to help with strategic planning, finding a new rector, or stewardship campaigns. Surveys all members over 16 years old who have been active in the last year. Breaks down priorities according to different sub-groups (infrequent attenders, frequent attenders, attends more often than 3 years ago, attends less often than 3 years ago).