Castle Hill SDA Church
Digital Ministry Plan · 2027
A year of intentional impact
05 / Digital Connectors · 2027 Ministry Plan

Real people. Genuine connection.

A team of 6–10 volunteers turning online encounters into warm welcomes, thoughtful conversations and pastoral connection.

The heart of relational digital ministry

6–10 volunteers. Countless moments of care.

Digital Connectors are real members of our church community who choose to participate in genuine online ministry. They help people feel welcome—not help an algorithm manufacture popularity.

Engage authentically

Genuinely like, thoughtfully comment on and share posts that matter to them. Encourage real conversations and promote relevant church events in their own voice.

Welcome livestream viewers

Two Connectors serve on each weekly livestream. Welcome and engage viewers on YouTube and Facebook, answer appropriate practical questions and share relevant invitations.

Bridge people to pastoral care

Listen respectfully, recognise prayer and pastoral needs, and refer them to Pastoral Connection. Connectors are welcoming volunteers—not counsellors or a substitute for pastoral support.

Protect dignity & privacy

Follow church privacy and safeguarding processes. Ask consent before follow-up, protect personal information, and never pressure volunteers or others to share posts or personal stories.

Authentic engagement—not fake engagement.

No fake accounts, copied comments, purchased likes or compulsory sharing. No public discussion of confidential needs. No unauthorised private contact with children. Escalate safeguarding concerns promptly through church procedures, and direct immediate danger to emergency services.

A simple weekly rhythm

Prepare. Welcome. Connect. Reflect.

Before

Check the roster, content and event details. Agree who welcomes and who watches for pastoral needs.

During

Welcome people by name where appropriate, join genuine conversations and offer clear next steps.

After

Refer consented enquiries to Pastoral Connection and record only necessary, non-sensitive information.

Monthly

Review response times, confirmed connections, safeguarding and volunteer wellbeing together.

01 / Overview · 2027 Ministry Plan

From Digital Presence to Discipleship

A people-first digital ministry strategy for Castle Hill SDA Church in 2027.

Our mission

Help people discover Jesus, connect with church community, grow in faith, and disciple others.

“Go and make disciples…”
Matthew 28:19–20
01 / The opportunity

A digital world. A personal mission.

Research & references
77.7%AUSTRALIA

Our community is already online

Social media user identities represent approximately 77.7% of Australia’s population—a significant opportunity for meaningful connection.

DataReportal · Digital 2026 Australia ↗
68VIEWS / VIDEO

A foundation to build on

12 videos. 816 total views. Approximately 15 concurrent viewers. Our existing YouTube presence gives us a starting point—not a finish line.

Church-provided analytics · Jul–Oct 2026

Social media identities are not unique people. Pew figures refer to the United States, not Australia. YouTube analytics are unpublished church-provided data; 68 is a mixed-age historical average, not a first-28-day benchmark.

The strategic direction

Presence is the beginning. People are the purpose.

01 /

Be discoverable

Share relevant biblical teaching and authentic stories that help people encounter Jesus in everyday life.

02 /

Build real relationships

Empower Digital Connectors to welcome, listen and bridge online interest with church community.

03 /

Make disciples

Offer clear, caring next steps into belonging, Bible study, prayer, service and disciple-making.

What success looks like

Not just more views.
More people cared for.

Reach helps us open a door. Spiritual care is what happens after someone walks through it. We measure the work without reducing people to numbers.

People feel seen, welcomed and listened to.
Genuine questions receive thoughtful, timely responses.
Online encounters lead to real community, prayer and Bible study.
People grow in faith, serve others and help make disciples.
02 / Audience · 2027 Ministry Plan

Different seasons. One community.

Meet people where they are, with age-appropriate content and a genuine invitation into church life.

People before platforms

An invitation for every life stage.

Children & parents

Connect through school relationships, Adventurers and Kids Club. Parents need clear, trustworthy information about a safe, welcoming community.

  • Family events, simple faith stories and ministry updates.
  • Facebook and website event information; parent-facing invitations.
  • Guardian consent and child safeguarding for every image or story.

Youth & teens

Connect through Pathfinders and youth community. Help young people explore identity, friendship, purpose and faith in a safe setting.

  • Short biblical reflections, youth stories and Pathfinders highlights.
  • Age-eligible Instagram and YouTube content, with parent-facing invitations for under-16s and compliance with Australian platform age requirements.
  • No unapproved private messaging with minors; follow church safeguarding procedures.

Young adults

University students and young professionals navigating study, work, relationships and a changing sense of belonging.

  • Honest conversations about anxiety, purpose, forgiveness and relationships.
  • Instagram Reels, testimonies and YouTube Shorts.
  • Personal invitations to Alpha, Bible studies, prayer and service.

Working adults & families

People balancing work, family and everyday responsibilities, looking for practical faith and genuine community.

  • Relevant sermons, family stories, events and prayer opportunities.
  • Facebook conversations, YouTube teaching and website resources.
  • Clear next steps that respect busy schedules and personal circumstances.

Evidence informs the approach—not assumptions about individuals.

DataReportal reports approximately 77.7% Australian social media user identities. Pew’s US research shows Instagram usage differs by age (80% of 18–29s; 19% of 65+). Listen to our own community before deciding which platforms serve each group best.

03 / SMART Goals · 2027 Ministry Plan

Purposeful goals. Meaningful progress.

Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound targets that connect digital activity with personal care.

Planning targets, not actual results

All progress starts at zero. Inputs are a temporary planning simulation; they are not saved or reported as ministry outcomes.

By month 301 / 08

Build the digital ministry team

6–10 connectors

Recruit and onboard 6–10 Digital Connectors, with clear roles, safeguards and a weekly roster.

Measure: Onboarded volunteers confirmed by the Coordinator.

0% simulated
By month 602 / 08

Publish short-form videos consistently

2–3 videos / week

Publish 2–3 short videos each week across relevant platforms, maintaining quality and a sustainable rhythm.

Measure: Published shorts each week; review consistency monthly.

0% simulated
By year end03 / 08

Grow meaningful YouTube reach

50 % growth

Increase average views per video by 50%, comparing equivalent first-28-day video periods, not mixed-age lifetime totals.

Measure: Compare like-for-like video types and first-28-day windows; establish the baseline before tracking.

0% simulated
Across 12 months04 / 08

Welcome genuine enquiries

24 enquiries / year

Receive 24 genuine enquiries about prayer, church, faith or participation—not likes, spam or duplicate contacts.

Measure: A privacy-conscious enquiry register, reviewed monthly.

0% simulated
By year end05 / 08

Connect people to discipleship

12 people / year

Connect 12 people to Alpha, Bible studies or prayer groups, with consent and appropriate follow-up.

Measure: Confirmed connections, counting people once rather than every invitation.

0% simulated
Ongoing06 / 08

Respond with care

90 % within 48h

Respond to 90% of appropriate enquiries within 48 hours, with a clear escalation process for pastoral needs.

Measure: Timely appropriate responses ÷ all appropriate enquiries × 100; exclude spam and unsafe messages.

0% simulated
Weekly07 / 08

Welcome every weekly livestream

2 connectors / stream

Roster two Digital Connectors for each weekly livestream to welcome viewers, engage and refer needs.

Measure: Two assigned volunteers confirmed in the weekly livestream roster.

0% simulated
Monthly08 / 08

Report, reflect and improve

12 reports / year

Provide a monthly ministry report combining content, response, referral and spiritual-care indicators.

Measure: One report per month, with a short team and pastoral review.

0% simulated

Establish a comparable YouTube baseline first.

The July–October 2026 baseline is 12 videos, 816 total views and a mean of 68 views/video, with approximately 15 concurrent viewers. These mixed-age totals do not establish a first-28-day average. Export equivalent first-28-day views for comparable video types, then target a 50% increase over that verified benchmark.

04 / Content & Platforms · 2027 Ministry Plan

The message matters. So does the medium.

Three content pillars, four complementary platforms, and one consistent invitation to discover Jesus.

Three content pillars

Faith that speaks to everyday life.

Faith & biblical teaching

Offer accessible, Scripture-centred teaching on relationships, forgiveness, anxiety and purpose. Make each message relevant, hopeful and clear.

Community & belonging

Show genuine church life: youth, Adventurers, Pathfinders and Bible studies. Include a warm, practical invitation to participate.

Personal testimonies

Share real stories of Jesus at work in people’s lives, with informed consent and sensitivity to personal and family circumstances.

A connected platform ecosystem

Different channels. A shared invitation.

YouTube

Sermons, weekly livestreams and Shorts. Longer teaching creates depth; short clips invite discovery. Two Digital Connectors welcome and engage each weekly livestream.

Instagram

Reels, Stories and testimonies. Prioritise young-adult-relevant biblical reflections, authentic community moments and clear next-step invitations.

Facebook

Families, events and conversations. Share ministry updates and event invitations; welcome questions and engage thoughtfully during livestreams.

Church website

A stable home for newcomer information, resources, prayer requests, Bible study interest and event signups. Make it easy to find a real person and a clear next step.

A sustainable publishing rhythm

By month 6, aim for 2–3 short videos each week. Repurpose sermon insights and consented testimonies for each channel; coordinate weekly livestreams, event posts and website updates through one content calendar. Review accessibility, captions, consent and next-step links before publishing.

05 / Digital Connectors · 2027 Ministry Plan

Real people. Genuine connection.

A team of 6–10 volunteers turning online encounters into warm welcomes, thoughtful conversations and pastoral connection.

The heart of relational digital ministry

6–10 volunteers. Countless moments of care.

Digital Connectors are real members of our church community who choose to participate in genuine online ministry. They help people feel welcome—not help an algorithm manufacture popularity.

Engage authentically

Genuinely like, thoughtfully comment on and share posts that matter to them. Encourage real conversations and promote relevant church events in their own voice.

Welcome livestream viewers

Two Connectors serve on each weekly livestream. Welcome and engage viewers on YouTube and Facebook, answer appropriate practical questions and share relevant invitations.

Bridge people to pastoral care

Listen respectfully, recognise prayer and pastoral needs, and refer them to Pastoral Connection. Connectors are welcoming volunteers—not counsellors or a substitute for pastoral support.

Protect dignity & privacy

Follow church privacy and safeguarding processes. Ask consent before follow-up, protect personal information, and never pressure volunteers or others to share posts or personal stories.

Authentic engagement—not fake engagement.

No fake accounts, copied comments, purchased likes or compulsory sharing. No public discussion of confidential needs. No unauthorised private contact with children. Escalate safeguarding concerns promptly through church procedures, and direct immediate danger to emergency services.

A simple weekly rhythm

Prepare. Welcome. Connect. Reflect.

Before

Check the roster, content and event details. Agree who welcomes and who watches for pastoral needs.

During

Welcome people by name where appropriate, join genuine conversations and offer clear next steps.

After

Refer consented enquiries to Pastoral Connection and record only necessary, non-sensitive information.

Monthly

Review response times, confirmed connections, safeguarding and volunteer wellbeing together.

06 / Discipleship Pathway · 2027 Ministry Plan

A next step for every person.

Discover → Connect → Belong → Grow & Serve → Multiply. A relational journey, not a conversion funnel.

A relational discipleship pathway

From a first encounter to a life of service.

Discover

Encounter Jesus through a sermon, a short biblical reflection or an authentic testimony shared by someone you trust.

The ministry connection

YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and shared Facebook posts make the first invitation accessible.

A caring approach

Offer a clear, welcoming invitation—not pressure or a demand for personal information.

Connect

Ask a question, request prayer, join a livestream conversation or express interest in meeting the community.

The ministry connection

Digital Connectors welcome people and direct appropriate enquiries to the pastoral team within 48 hours.

A caring approach

Listen first. Ask permission before moving a public conversation into a private follow-up.

Belong

Find friendship and a safe place in a church gathering, youth activity, family ministry, Alpha group or prayer community.

The ministry connection

A named host and a personal invitation help bridge the gap between an online encounter and a real relationship.

A caring approach

Respect someone’s pace, circumstances, accessibility needs and right to decline.

Grow & Serve

Explore Scripture, grow in prayer and put faith into practice through Bible studies, mentoring and service.

The ministry connection

Pastoral Connection links people with a suitable group, a mentor and opportunities to serve.

A caring approach

Support ongoing spiritual growth rather than treating attendance as the end goal.

Multiply

Share a testimony, encourage another person and help others discover Jesus and grow as disciples.

The ministry connection

Equip people to invite friends, mentor others or become a Digital Connector themselves.

A caring approach

Celebrate genuine discipleship and personal care—not public performance or inflated numbers.

People move at their own pace.

This pathway offers supportive next steps, not a rigid sequence. Someone may need prayer before belonging, or return to questions after years of faith. Pastoral listening, consent and long-term care guide each connection.

07 / 12-Month Roadmap · 2027 Ministry Plan

A year of intentional ministry.

Build the foundation, launch consistently, deepen connections, then reflect and equip the next generation of ministry.

Months 1–3 · 2027

Lay the foundation

Recruit, listen, audit and establish a safe, sustainable ministry process.

JANUARY

Listen & audit

Review current channels, website journeys and comparable YouTube first-28-day data. Identify audience needs, content gaps and existing ministry links.

FEBRUARY

Recruit & clarify

Appoint the Coordinator and team leads. Recruit Media & Content and Pastoral Connection volunteers; invite 6–10 Digital Connectors.

MARCH

Equip & prepare

Complete onboarding, consent and safeguarding training. Set the calendar, enquiry workflow, livestream roster and monthly reporting process.

Months 4–6 · 2027

Launch with consistency

Bring the plan to life through short videos, testimonies and authentic Connector engagement.

APRIL

Start the rhythm

Launch a coordinated content calendar, simple short biblical reflections and weekly livestream welcoming with two Connectors.

MAY

Share real stories

Publish consented testimonies and community stories. Connectors genuinely comment, share and promote relevant events without pressure.

JUNE

Build consistency

Reach 2–3 short videos per week. Review production workload, enquiry response times and the first quarter of ministry reports.

Months 7–9 · 2027

Deepen the connections

Connect online interest with Alpha, Bible studies, prayer and existing school and youth relationships.

JULY

Invite into community

Coordinate invitations to Alpha, Bible studies and prayer groups. Match interested people to a named pastoral contact or host.

AUGUST

Strengthen ministry bridges

Link digital stories with school, Adventurers, Kids Club, Pathfinders and youth ministries, applying child-safety and consent processes.

SEPTEMBER

Evaluate the pathway

Review consented referrals and confirmed connections. Listen to newcomers and adjust unclear or unhelpful next steps.

Months 10–12 · 2027

Reflect, equip & multiply

Review the year honestly, train new volunteers and shape next year around what helped people grow.

OCTOBER

Review the evidence

Assess comparable YouTube first-28-day averages, enquiries, response rates, confirmed discipleship connections and volunteer wellbeing.

NOVEMBER

Train & share learning

Refresh safeguarding and pastoral referral training. Mentor new volunteers and celebrate consented stories of faith and belonging.

DECEMBER

Plan the next chapter

Complete the annual review against planning targets. Recommend a sustainable 2028 calendar, team roster and resource plan.

Monthly reporting is a ministry habit, not a year-end exercise.

Each month, review publishing consistency, comparable views, appropriate enquiries, 48-hour responses, confirmed group connections and volunteer wellbeing. Make small adjustments early, guided by spiritual care rather than vanity metrics.

08 / Team & Resources · 2027 Ministry Plan

Shared purpose. Clear responsibilities.

Four complementary teams working together sustainably, supported by practical tools, training and pastoral oversight.

Four teams · one shared mission

Everyone has a part to play.

1 person

Coordinator

Strategy, content calendar and reporting. Coordinates the teams, keeps the plan focused, and leads monthly review.

3–4 volunteers

Media & Content

Livestreams, filming, editing and publishing. Produces accessible, consented content and maintains a sustainable weekly rhythm.

6–10 volunteers

Digital Connectors

Authentic engagement, event promotion and livestream welcoming. Two rostered each weekly livestream; pastoral needs referred appropriately.

2–3 volunteers

Pastoral Connection

Prayer, visitors, follow-up and discipleship. Supports consented next steps into Alpha, Bible studies, prayer groups and church community.

Role allocations are planning ranges, not confirmed appointments. Agree workloads, supervision and any appropriate role overlap during recruitment.

Tools that serve the mission

Practical resources. Sustainable service.

Production & publishing

Audit existing cameras, microphones, lighting, livestream equipment and editing tools. Use captioning, reusable templates and a shared content calendar before recommending new purchases.

Training & safeguards

Train volunteers in consent, child safeguarding, account security, accessible publishing, livestream moderation and pastoral referrals. Use approved access permissions and a clear escalation process.

Coordination & review

Maintain a weekly roster, an approved minimal-data enquiry register and a monthly reporting template. Review budget needs with church leadership; no unapproved costs are assumed in this plan.

Protect the people doing the ministry, too.

Set realistic workloads, provide backups for livestream roles, avoid expectations of constant availability, and review volunteer wellbeing monthly. Personal and pastoral details belong only in approved church systems—not in this presentation’s planning tracker.

09 / References · 2027 Ministry Plan

Grounded in mission. Informed by evidence.

The research, ministry guidance and church-provided baseline informing this 2027 planning presentation.

Sources & context

Read the evidence behind the plan.

01

Digital 2026: Australia

DataReportal · 2026
Approximately 77.7% of Australia’s population represented by social media user identities. Identities are not necessarily unique people.

02

Social Media Fact Sheet

Pew Research Center · 2025 · United States
Instagram usage: 80% of US adults aged 18–29 compared with 19% of those aged 65+. US findings are contextual evidence, not Australian estimates.

03

Guidelines for the Digital Expansion of Mission

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Mission-focused guidance for digital ministry in Seventh-day Adventist churches.

04

South Pacific Division Strategy 2025–2030

Seventh-day Adventist Church · PDF
Regional strategic context for mission, discipleship and service.

05

Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church

Church website
Church and community context. This strategic plan presentation is separate from the church’s public homepage.

06 / Unpublished church-provided YouTube analytics

July–October 2026: 12 videos, 816 total views, mean 68 views/video and approximately 15 concurrent viewers. Supplied by the church; no public source link is available. Historical mixed-age view totals are not a comparable first-28-day benchmark. The 2027 goal requires equivalent viewing windows before comparison.

Biblical foundation: Matthew 28:19–20

The Great Commission shapes this plan: help people discover Jesus, connect with church community, grow in faith and disciple others. The proposed actions and targets are planning commitments, not claims about results already achieved.

Presentation imagery is illustrative and does not depict an identified Castle Hill congregation event. Suggested monthly activities and resource recommendations are proposed implementation details, not confirmed church schedules or budgets.