Examining the current state of technology in the church — and challenging lack of innovation, fear of change By Joel Guthrie As consumers, we’ve grown accustomed to a certain level of quality and rate of innovation when it comes to technology. Amazon has made our lives incredibly convenient with same-day delivery, easy returns, and the […]
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By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris “Pastor Arrested for Molesting Teens in Youth Group,” screamed a recent media headline in a heavily populated metropolitan area. Unfortunately, it’s not an anomaly; headlines detailing child sexual abuse in ministry contexts occur almost daily. The reality is daunting: one in four girls and one in six boys will be […]
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By Andy Lott Cybercrime is a problem on the rise, impacting businesses and organizations worldwide. Accenture, a multinational digital services company, recently reported an 11% increase in security breaches since last year and a 67% increase in security breaches over the last five years. The cost of cybercrime to businesses and organizations was a collective […]
Read More >If you know how to maximize it, your system can fuel more effective outreach, streamline discipleship, inform expansion — and so much more. How can church management system (ChMS) data fuel better, more effective outreach efforts? Andy Jobst: Outreach is a vital initiative for the Church. Registered members of the congregation are the workers in […]
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There are so many churches in America that have a long, proud history. Some houses of worship have been attended by generations of the same family, as much a part of a community’s history as the ancestors of the people living in it. Like all members of a community, churches grow and evolve, with members […]
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By Donna Hammond So, you’ve been assigned the job of “directory administrator.” It can feel daunting and overwhelming, especially if all the responsibility lies on your shoulders. But, you don’t have to go it alone. To make this project fun and uniting — not isolating — organize a directory team. There are just a few […]
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Proven strategies to keep your people safe — from recognizing red flags to re-screening practices, cost considerations, and navigating potentially sensitive conversations Many churches fall victim to an “it-can’t-happen-here” mentality. In actuality, what makes churches especially prone to ill-intentioned volunteers? Norton: The nature and admirable traits of most clergy is one of compassion and trust. […]
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By RaeAnn Slaybaugh ADRIENNE WILLICH & ELIZABETH SHAUGHNEY: How the Archdiocese of Washington standardized reporting for 139 parishes, 63 schools & 4,500 staff In the end, the transition proved to be surprisingly seamless. For any church, having a complete, standardized reporting solution in place is crucial — often in the form of a church management […]
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The “Stop Sexual Abuse” series is designed to provide ministry leaders with information to better understand the risk of child sexual abuse and take necessary steps to protect children in ministry programs. The first article in the series provided analysis concerning sexual abuse risk using the metaphor of building the right fence. In this article […]
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For busy pastors, it offers a flexible, efficient and cost-effective way to pursue an advanced degree. Here, five experts survey the landscape. Do you see a lot of full-time ministry leaders embracing advanced degrees via distance learning right now? If so, what’s driving that interest? Are certain areas of focus / concentrations proving most attractive? […]
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