“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.”

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).

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.

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.

Education for Ministry (Canada)

Program that provides theological education by extension for lay people with weekly seminar groups led by a trained mentor.

Forming Mission Shaped Ministries

This initiative supports experimental activities that explore what it means to participate in God’s mission in the world today. It aims to promote a different way of being church at the individual, congregational and synodical levels, emphasizing reciprocal relationships with neighbours.

National Youth Project

The National Youth Project (NYP) is a program led by the ELCIC and the ACC to engage young people in a particular issue related to peace and justice.

Natural Church Development

The objective of Natural Church Development (NCD) is to provide space and reliable statistical data for measuring church health and capacity. The concept is to grow health by focussing on those key elements that are most challenged in a parish. Identify strengths and challenges; draw on strengths to develop weaker elements.