How to help protect children in your church’s care It’s a sad reality that child sexual abuse is still a major issue in our country — and church environments are no exception. According to MinistrySafe, an organization that helps churches reduce the risk of child sexual abuse, there are more than 60 million sexual abuse […]
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Third-party ministry accounting, payroll services can be a Godsend for church leaders who are overwhelmed, uncertain — or both By RaeAnn Slaybaugh Change is hard — but does it need to be? Surprisingly, if we’re talking about outsourcing your church’s financial systems and processes, the answer is no. At least, that’s what these three […]
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Mountain Mission School provides an education and Christ-centered home for students from all over the world. Church Mutual Insurance Company’s specialized coverage helps them do it safely, year after year. By Dawn Bernatz Nestled in the mountains of Grundy, Va., Mountain Mission School (MMS) might look like a regular K-12 campus — but inside, it’s […]
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By Eric Spacek Don’t look now, but winter is right around the corner. Even if your facility is in a warmer climate, lower than average temperatures can cause costly building-related issues that disrupt your mission. Now is the time to winter-proof your property so you’re not caught unprepared. Here, Eric Spacek, assistant vice president – […]
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By Eric Spacek Violence is an all-too-common occurrence in the United States these days, and churches are certainly not immune to armed intruders. Over the past decade, a number of mass shootings have taken place in houses of worship — events that are sure to test the faith of even the most stalwart of believers. […]
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Consider these in-the-trenches, professional perspectives Church Executive: With interest rates as they are, is it still a good time to consider refinancing? Charity Kuehn: Every situation is a little different. There will be times when you’ll be forced to refinance during a higher-interest-rate environment because your loan comes due. If so, there are lots […]
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By Chris Lewis Over the last year, a dramatic shift in interest rates has served to stall a large portion of refinancing efforts. The difference in the rate a church is currently paying, and the existing market rates, is substantial in many cases. This is creating an appropriate pause in ministry refinancing because the […]
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Documenting and preserving prevention and response efforts By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris In a recent sexual abuse case, church leaders were notified of an abuse allegation stemming from events in 2014 involving a 10-year-old girl and a church employee. The allegation, communicated by the child’s mother, was addressed by the executive pastor. The mother […]
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How to protect your church’s data — and your own By Sharon McDowell Whether we realize it or not, social media is a double-edged sword. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, among others, have become an integral part of our daily lives, and a valuable tool for churches to engage with their congregations and […]
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For leaders at Bethel Lutheran Church, the signals that it was time to expand were not subtle. By RaeAnn Slaybaugh At the home church in Fergus Falls, Minn., nearly 90 cars per worship service had to park off-campus and walk to church — and this was across three services. Inside the sanctuary, two of […]
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