Peter Keeley-Pannett, 71, is accused of eight offences.
He was a non-stipendiary deacon in the Diocese of Chichester in West Sussex until his arrest in November 2014.
He has been charged with three counts of making 150 indecent images of children and one count of attempting to cause a boy over 13 to engage in sexual activity.
Mr Keeley-Pannett faces a further two charges of causing a boy aged 13 to 15 to watch images of sexual activity, and two of causing or inciting a boy of 14 to engage in sexual activity.
Sussex Police said the sexual activity charges relate to the alleged use of a webcam, and none of the alleged offences involve physical contact.
Keeley-Pannett, of Bristol Road, Brighton, was arrested after an inquiry by the Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team of Surrey and Sussex Police.
He has been bailed to appear at Redhill Magistrates' Court on later this month.
