The statistics on Americans and retirement planning are staggering. More than half of us do not know how much we will need to live a comfortable retirement, and 60 percent have saved less than $25,000. For clergy, the economics of retirement can be even more challenging.
Read More >Every church also faces obstacles. What is the difference between churches that approach obstacles with a “can do” attitude over others that have a “can’t do” attitude? What makes a church have a lively optimism over a dead pessimism?
Read More >There are 2 types of people in the world — rule-breakers and rule-keepers. I admit that I am a rule-keeper. There, I said it. As such, you might think that I am a black-and-white type of guy. The reality is that I’m not all that much. Here are 3 reasons why.
Read More >Earlier this month, Kebony wood unveiled its first completed project with ecclesiastical design. It was chosen as the material of choice to create a façade for a new chapel which opened last autumn in Mölndal, Sweden. European churches tend to use traditional building materials for posterity, permanence and durability, so the use of Kebony’s wood in this project allows the chapel a fusion of contemporary style and traditional durability.
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In some ways, churches must run like businesses. However, houses of worship have specific needs that secular accounting software just can’t accommodate. In this insightful new eBook, ChMS expert Michael Jordan talks about those unique needs — and how the right ChMS meets them. Download this eBook now! And, keep an eye on your inbox for additional chapters, from giving / donation tools to first-time visitor engagement.
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In a valuable new eBook, “Finances & Administration for Church Leaders” Rev. Dr. Sara Day, CFP®, examines the value of a pastoral relations committee — among the most effective methods for strengthening the lines of communication between the pastor and the congregation.
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Whichever end of the spectrum your church falls on — big, small, urban, rural, tech-savvy or still improving — I’m sure there are things about your church’s online presence that sometimes make you cringe. With that in mind, I’d like to talk about the five most “cringe-worthy” mistakes I see churches make with their digital giving strategies. My intention here is not to “throw stones,” but rather to shine a light on some of the low-hanging fruit in the oft-confusing and ever-changing world of digital giving.
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Every church is different. Even so, one thing they all have in common is the desire to create a space that evokes and contributes to a person’s worship experience. In this in-depth new eBook, “Designing Worship Spaces” series author Curtiss H. Doss, AIA — who has designed for church clients for more than two decades — talks about the unique DNA of each church, and why it must be honored in the church’s worship space design.
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In a smaller, more technological world, church leaders can’t afford to underestimate proactive, collaborative safety and risk management strategies. To that end, in this informative new eBook, Peter A. Persuitti, managing director, Religious Practice, at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., talks about how to proactively protect church staff and volunteers doing missionary work in third-world countries.
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For a church campus design to be effective, it must be engaging — beginning the moment someone walks through the door. In this new eBook, co-authors Allison Parrott and Paul Lodholz of Ziegler Cooper Architects discuss the importance of designing an engaging first impression: the church lobby, as well as 3 design musts for engaging sanctuary design.
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