Attacked Church Focuses on Healing
from The Tennessean
 As they started their production of Annie, a musical about an orphan's unwavering hope, the children of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church witnessed a scene that may have rattled theirs. From the stage, they saw a gunman pull a sawed-off shotgun out of a guitar case and fire three deadly blasts that covered their friends and relatives in blood before congregants wrestled him to the ground. Two dead and six wounded may only begin to tell the toll from the gunman's rampage on a congregation Sunday, church leaders and experts say. Our thoughts and prayers go out to NACBA affiliate member Jennifer Arthur, director of administration for the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. More
See related articles:
Timeline: Church Service Marred by Gunfire (WBIR-TV)
Group Launches Security Tour to Help Protect Church Flocks (Christian Post)
Youth Gone Wild
from Ministry Today
Twenty or 30 years ago, the average church youth ministry consisted of monthly pizza-and-movie nights, the occasional lock-in, an annual missions trip and, of course, summer camp. Although the names, events and activities may have changed, sadly, many churches are still using the same approach to minister to young people - and (not surprisingly) seeing minimal results. Not these youth groups. More
The Best Zoning Defense
from the Leadership Journal
Pastor Jim could hardly believe his ears. Faith Community Church hoped to start a congregation in the neighboring suburb of Williamstown, but the city's planning committee was stunningly candid during a courtesy review of the church's proposal. The aldermen, in a public meeting, unambiguously said, "Our long-term development plans for the proposed site do not include a church. We want this prime piece of real estate to be developed commercially to generate tax revenue." The city was not going to let a church jeopardize that goal. So Faith Community Church took Williamstown at its word, and before the city could prevent the church from developing the property, the church filed suit in federal court accusing the city of violating the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). More
See related articles:
Top 10 Things Churches Need to Know About Zoning (Leadership Journal)
Church Hosts Drive-through Prayers
from Religion News Service via USA Today
Hold the pickles, mustard, ketchup, tomatoes, buns, burgers and french fries. The only item on the menu in the Cathedral of Faith Church of God in Christ parking lot is prayers. Last Saturday, the Mt. Morris Township, Mich., church held its second drive-through prayer service, and dozens of people lined up for a few minutes of soul-searching. Volunteers held up signs that said, "Pull over for Prayer!" More
How to Welcome a New Person to Your Church Staff
from LifeWay
When a new staff hire arrives at the church office, you show the new staff person the office and church facility, complete the necessary paperwork for taxes, insurance, and retirement, and let them know about all the peculiar procedures of the new church. While this orientation is needed, the most important orientation may be missed. More
Churches Increasingly Put Faith in the Web
from the Kansas City Business Journal
Church of the Resurrection, which has a central campus in Leawood and about 16,000 members, has funneled effort and financing toward the power of networks to reach more people with more services. Church of the Nazarene, which has its international headquarters in Kansas City, and the International House of Prayer in Kansas City also have formed IT departments and explored fresh technologies. More
Money Advice from Bible Gains Favor
from the Chicago Sun-Times
Before David and Maura Reza hand out the $5 weekly allowance to their children, David reads a Scripture from the Bible about money. This is a shift for the family, which has retreated from what Maura Reza calls years of "selfish spending." Now they have turned to a higher power for managing their budget, the world of biblical financial planning. More
How to Enlist & Disengage Volunteers
from Youth Worker
Almost every youth ministry needs more volunteer help. On the other hand, it is not uncommon to hear a leader say a volunteer is somewhat counterproductive, and it would be better if they were working in another ministry—maybe even in another town. If you need to deal with volunteers, either coming or going, the best idea possible is to seek God’s heart about what you have in mind. More
'Red Flags' Surround Prosperity of Texas Televangelist
from The Associated Press via WFAA-TV
In the gentle hills of North Texas, televangelist Kenneth Copeland has built a religious empire teaching that God wants his followers to prosper. While Copeland insists that his ministry complies with the law, independent tax experts who reviewed information obtained by the AP through interviews, church documents and public records have their doubts. The web of companies and non-profits tied to the televangelist calls the ministry's integrity into question, they say. More
 |
Product Showcase:
Vanco Services Improves Donation Consistency |
| |
 |
|
Don't let weekly offerings take a holiday!
Minimize donation slump this summer by actively promoting the following automated giving options to your members:
Direct Debit: Increases donation consistency by automating donations from checking and savings accounts.
Credit and Debit Cards: Today's most popular payment option paves the way for new donors and larger donations.
More
|
|
|
Building churches without heavy debt
There are three major aspects to most church building projects - designing, financing and fund raising. A successful capital campaign can save a fortune in interest, as well as... More |
|
|
|
|
