Nottingham Cathedral Shares Lessons on Digital Ministry in New Book
Following a three-year period of significant digital growth and renewal, Nottingham Cathedral has released a short book detailing its approach to parish communications.
The publication aims to share practical lessons learned during the Cathedral’s "digital transformation," offering a guide for parishes hoping to better connect with their local communities.
While the Cathedral’s social media accounts have seen substantial engagement in recent months—recording 8 million views in 2025—this new book emphasises that online metrics are secondary to the real-world impact on parish life. The authors propose that when approached with intentionality, social media can serve as a vital "bridge" from virtual curiosity to in-person experiences of faith.
Moving Beyond the "Optional Extra"
The book addresses a common challenge facing many parishes: the tendency to view digital presence as an administrative afterthought or a platform solely for existing parishioners. The text argues that this often results in a "digital desert," where outdated websites and sporadic social media posts fail to engage the wider community.
Instead, the Cathedral advocates for a shift in perspective, viewing digital platforms as a "non-threatening digital doorway" for seekers, the curious, and the lapsed.
"We have learned that if you want your parish to be outward-facing and missionary, a digital presence cannot be an optional extra," the authors write. "It allows you to build a platform of trust... moving people from the virtual to the real-world experience of faith."
Tangible Signs of Growth
The book outlines how this strategy has coincided with a renewal in the Cathedral’s community life. The team credits their digital outreach as a key factor in several positive trends observed over the last three years:
- Demographic Shift: Mass attendance has exceeded pre-COVID numbers, with a notable increase in congregants under the age of 35.
- RCIA Enquiries: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) cohorts for 2025, 2026 and even 2027 (!) have been robust, with many candidates citing social media as their introduction to the parish.
- Event Attendance: Data from the Cathedral’s ‘Restoring Pugin Project’ indicated that up to 90% of attendees discovered project events via online channels.
The text also shares anecdotes illustrating this reach, from international visitors stopping by after seeing content online, to students choosing the parish because the digital "vibe" made them feel welcome.
A Resource for Every Parish
The authors are careful to note that their success is not due to a large budget or technical wizardry, but rather a "missionary mindset." The book is designed to be accessible, encouraging clergy and volunteers that they do not need to be experts to make a difference in the digital sphere.
By applying basic psychology, getting to grips with how these platforms work and understanding how younger generations engage with social content, the book suggests that any parish can turn a simple mobile phone into an impactful tool for mission.
"The digital parish is a privileged place of encounter," the book concludes. "Those who approach parish social communications with a missionary mindset will reap a harvest beyond their wildest imagining."
Download your FREE copy of the book, here.
