Who are you, and where are you working from these days?

I’m Tay Moss, Director of CHURCHx and Coordinator of the Innovative Ministry Centre at TUCC. I live and work in Toronto, Canada, on the traditional territories of Anishinaabe and Wendat nations which are governed under the Toronto Treaty of 1805. I’ve been an ordained Episcopal (Anglican) Priest for 20 years and for the past 4 years have shifted my focus from parish ministry to education.

2. What’s the lifelong learning initiative you lead

CHURCHx is website that provides education and community programs and courses on behalf of seminaries, judicatories, independent scholars, and church groups. We partner with denominational groups, for example, to host mandatory training seminars as well as book clubs and online courses. Seminaries use us to host their online content reaching out alumni and the general public. By pulling these partners together, we share an audience and achieve a critical mass of engaged learners. The role of CHURCHx is provide best-in-class educational technology to serve these groups.

3. Who is served by your initiative?

We have over 5,600 ordained and lay Christians in our community and more than 300 courses and programs. So far our biggest denomination by representation is the United Church of Canada, followed by the Anglicans, Lutherans, Disciples, and other groups. Because we offer a diversity of paid and free programs, our audience is similarly diverse in culture, vocation, and affiliation.

4. What’s an “Aha!” moment you’ve had while doing this work?

Most church organizations and even educators have difficulty understanding the ways that well designed technology can enhance or extend their work. A lot of my job is expanding their imaginations by inspiring them with stories of what is possible. Often the instinct is to revert to methods of communication and community-building that were effective in the past, but the people and technology have moved on. Older methods just don’t work anymore. This shift is exactly the same that is occurring in virtually every other aspect of church life: we are being called to adapt rapidly. My challenge is to tell that story in a way that inspires without overwhelming.

5. If people wanted to mine your expertise on something related to lifelong learning, what could you talk about?

I’ve developed dozens of custom software implementations to enhance online learning and community. I can share that learning of how to develop new applications. Many of these innovations were specifically designed to make it easier for less technically savvy students to access learning. I’ve also spent a lot of time designing courses and programs, so I can talk about Instructional Design. Artificial Intelligence is an emerging field in which I am leading several projects simultaneously. In short, designing and implementing technology.

6. What do you think will be different in the future of lifelong learning?

The impact of Artificial Intelligence cannot be understated. Much of the conversation in education has been concerned with Academic Integrity. But the up-sides of this technology are incredible and will cause a seismic shift similar to the advent of the Internet. Imagine “virtual TA’s” with human-level expertise and specialized pedagogical training in specific topics? Many fields are already experiencing disruption and rapid innovation; the implications for education are inevitable.

7. How can people get in touch with you?

The best way to reach me is by email: imc@tucc.ca. I’m always interested in talking to potential partners who want to host their communities on the CHURCHx platform! I’m also available for consultation on Education Technology, Instructional Design, and AI. You can visit the CHURCHx website at https://churchx.ca .

8. What would you be doing if you weren't leading a lifelong learning initiative?

I would be a submarine captain, combining leadership, cunning, and technical acumen to prowl the seven season for pastors and running well-being seminars. I would also seek to write a book based on my PhD findings and undertake further research on the well-being of pastors.