By RaeAnn Slaybaugh Sixteen years ago, when Collin Lucas joined the staff at Cornerstone Fellowship of Livermore, he worked in IT. However, he also brought with him extensive experience in the business management consulting realm. Now, as Cornerstone’s CFO, his secular business background has proven instrumental in helping build — and fund intelligently — the […]
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We have noticed a shift in mindset early in the Lenten season in how many are choosing to sacrifice. Rather than quitting chocolate and red wine for 40 days, we’ve observed a budding trend of supporters pointing to the “noisy” political environment and tragedies of late. This year, people are deciding to turn down the […]
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By Hillary Bowling As a provider of simple, reliable communication tools that require no software, no extended training (and no hassle), we have found that communities that communicate on a regular basis with their congregants reap more benefits: Increased attendance Higher engagement Consistent giving Connectivity — reliable, ongoing communication — is essential to the cultivation and retention […]
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By Tim Grabacki It’s not something church business managers think about a lot, but: How you count the money might be affecting the church more than you’d think. Here are three tips on how to better handle cash and checks in your collections. #1: Treat the business office like a business office The mission […]
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Interior design ideas to enhance your youth ministry By Rebecca Calbert, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB As we come into the New Year, we feel the need to freshen up our spaces and clean out our closets. The beginning of a new year is synonymous with change, self-improvement, and taking on new challenges. A typical resolution […]
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By Sam S. Rainer III Christmas Eve is the most likely time an unchurched person will walk into your worship space. It’s a huge opportunity. My fear is some churches go through the motions since Christmas Eve is the peak of busy season and volunteers are short in supply. Your Christmas Eve service is worth […]
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By Sam S. Rainer III I am in the third year of serving as lead pastor at West Bradenton. Thankfully, my first two years were more joy than angst, defined by encouragement and not disillusion. But even in a healthy church, the third year can bring frustration — for both pastor and congregation. In the […]
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By Joe Garecht Many faith-based organizations worry about making fundraising asks. They think that because they have a religious mission, making direct asks of donors is somehow unethical or will damage their reputation. Other faith-based non-profits focus solely on making group asks from the pulpit, or through mass-communication mediums like direct mail or e-mail. These organizations avoid […]
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By Brian Gleason A regular police presence at or near your school, church and/or local neighborhood is a valuable crime-prevention strategy. Here’s why. Did you know that routine patrolling of school and church grounds better positions law enforcement to act quickly when they receive a request for help? It helps build a level of comfort for […]
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Church facilities have long been a vastly underused ministry tool, with most spaces left vacant during the week besides an occasional bible study or evening meeting. What would happen to our ministries if we used our buildings seven days a week and reduced overhead expenses by two-thirds or more? By stewarding these unused spaces more effectively, […]
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