What difference is the C of E's national digital strategy making?

Three years ago, a new digital team was created at Church House, having been given £2 million of “seed money” to spend over three years. The General Synod has approved £5 million for the next three years, to expand the digital work. What has been achieved so far and what are the plans for the next three years? Are dioceses and parishes benefiting? Can “likes” on social media replace embodied Christian community? This week, Ed Thornton puts these questions — and more — to Adrian Harris, the C of E’s Head of Digital; Amaris Cole, Senior Digital Communications Manager; and Thomas Allain-Chapman, head of publishing for the Archbishops’ Council. They also talk about the return of the #FollowTheStar Christmas campaign and how parishes can get involved. Adrian Harris says: “Digital . . . is not, for us, an end in itself. . . However innovative we are, at the heart we gather as the Body of Christ, and we want to do that by encouraging people into one of our churches.” If you don't yet subscribe to the Church Times, check out our new reader offer: 10 issues for £10: www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader