As churches grapple with the growing influence of technology on young people, many leaders are asking whether it’s time to limit or even ban cell phone use during youth events. To help guide this conversation, we turned to Sharon Orr, director of Risk Control at Church Mutual Insurance, whose expertise in youth safety and policy development […]
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By Jerry Dilk Whether your church is small and intimate or serves thousands, there’s a lot that goes into managing a place of worship. One thing that is often overlooked — especially by those with smaller congregations — is document protection. Securing your documents is pivotal because it protects financial records, employee information, and ensures […]
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By Dan Mikes Whether your church is planning a construction project or a relocation, it might be helpful to review some of the topics your leadership team should be prepared to address in order to set appropriate financial parameters — and in anticipation of discussions with lenders. When planning the project, churches often form a […]
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By Denise Craig, CAE, CCA In today’s polarized society, the art of conversation is rapidly becoming a lost discipline. Social media rewards outrage; news cycles thrive on conflict; and even within the Church, believers often struggle to speak to one another with kindness, humility and grace. When Christians mirror the hostility of the world, we […]
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By Preston Poore Gallup’s recent global leadership research uncovered something surprising. The number one thing followers want from their leaders is not trust, stability, or even compassion. It is hope. More than half of all positive leadership traits people named pointed back to hope as the defining quality they look for in a leader.¹ That […]
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70th annual report reveals giving to most nonprofit subsectors rose in 2024 What to Know Key findings from Giving USA 2025: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2024 report that individuals, bequests, foundations and corporations gave an estimated $592.50 billion to U.S. charities in 2024. Total giving grew 6.3% in current dollars, reaching a new high by that measure (3.3% when adjusted for inflation). A strong stock market and GDP growth helped fuel the increase in total giving, which was led by individual and corporate giving. All recipient subsectors saw donations increase in current dollars. When adjusted for inflation, giving to seven […]
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By Jamshed Patel Known as “digital natives,” Generation Z (Gen Z) challenges the status quo in every way, from pursuing various forms of activism to redefining workplace expectations. They are also changing how they approach religion based on how the generations that raised them approached it. They are putting attending mass on the back burner, […]
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The end of the year is one of the most fruitful times for church giving. People are in a posture of reflection, gratitude, and generosity. But if churches only focus on giving once a year, they miss the deeper calling: to disciple their people into a lifestyle of generosity not just a moment of […]
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Expert advice for driving maximum year-end generosity … starting now Church Executive: First, how important is year-end giving in most churches, really? Ryan Matthews: Year-end giving isn’t just important; it’s crucial. Many churches receive about 30% of their yearly giving in December alone. Jena Lynch: Yes. And of that 30%, we see the majority […]
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The Tolleson Family Activity Center in Dallas is a shining symbol of a commitment that Highland Park United Methodist Church leaders made long ago to kids, youth and adults with disabilities. Three stories high, it’s positioned across a busy street facing Southern Methodist University and Highland Park United Methodist Church, which owns and operates […]
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