Equipping Congregations Project
Stories for the Nones, Dones, and Disconnected
Through its Office of Communications—Caffeinated Church—the Episcopal Church in Colorado has built an ecumenical hub where churches learn to tell their stories with clarity, creativity, and confidence. Equipping Congregations is a core part of Show & Tell: Stories for the Nones, Dones, and Disconnected, a locally rooted and nationally amplified initiative designed to reconnect spiritually curious but institutionally disconnected people—especially Gen Z, Millennials, and Latino communities—with the Christian story.
What the Project Will Do
Over the next two years, we will support 90 mainline congregations across the mountain states in identifying, shaping, and sharing their own compelling stories of hope, faith, belonging, and spiritual vibrancy. Participating congregations will receive hands-on training, personalized coaching, and production support to create at least five high-quality short-form videos, along with a sustainable communications and content strategy tailored to their local context.
Together, these 90 churches will generate more than 500 new digital stories, each created to meet younger generations where they already are—on TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and other channels where authentic, conversational storytelling thrives.
How It Works
Each participating congregation will commit 4–5 hours every other week from a staff member or volunteer who will serve as the project’s point person. Through a structured yearlong process, congregations will learn to:
Identify resonant stories from their community
Use iPhone-based filming and simple editing workflows
Share faith conversations, testimonies, spiritual practices, and community life
Engage younger audiences with humor, honesty, vulnerability, and real-life relevance
Build confidence and long-term capacity for ongoing content creation
The style of the stories will be intentionally unpolished, real, and visually engaging—mirroring the platforms where Gen Z and Millennials form digital connections and meaning.
Now Hiring: Communications Consultants
To support the creation of over 500 stories, we are hiring two Communications Consultants who will guide congregations throughout the project. These consultants will serve as coaches, teachers, and collaborators—working alongside church leaders to build confidence, skills, and measurable digital engagement.
They will work under the leadership of Mike Orr, Canon for Communications & Evangelism and founder/director of Caffeinated Church, and will serve as key partners in helping congregations experiment, grow, and communicate with authenticity.
Congregational Interest & Discernment
We are seeking congregations that are ready to explore new ways of welcoming and connecting with Gen Z and Millennials. If your church is curious, open to experimentation, and interested in joining a cohort committed to vibrant digital storytelling, we invite you to learn more and discern your participation.
Churches will be asked a series of questions about readiness, capacity, motivation, and digital presence to ensure the project is a strong match for their goals and context.