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Survey: Churches still generous despite recession
The Christian Post Share    
Despite the recession, churches throughout the country have stepped up to try to prevent their charitable giving from going downhill. According to a new study, released this week, more than two-thirds of congregations reported that their fundraising receipts increased or remained the same in the first half of 2009 compared to last year, even as the economic downturn was worsening. More
Video: Handling conflict with church staff
Youth Worker Share
Youth pastor Tim Schmoyer and his father-in-law, Pastor Danny Wayman, discuss ways that youth pastors and youth directors can work best with others on staff at church -- especially their senior pastor.More
A church that pays you to come on Sunday
Southtown Star Share
The Rev. Dan Willis is passing the collection plate in reverse. He will give you money to go to church. For the last three weeks, his Lighthouse Church of All Nations in Alsip, Ill., has raffled a combined $1,000 to attendees at the three Sunday services. Big surprise, but attendance has shot through the chapel roof.
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Texas church turns sanctuary into imaginary hell
WFAA-TV Share
During this upcoming weekend, Many North Texas churches are opting to celebrate fall with festivals rather than Halloween. But, one church in Sachse, Texas, is doing something totally different. They have transformed their sanctuary into an imaginary hell. The idea behind their "fear factory" is to deliver a powerful spiritual message.
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Online Giving Tools
Implementing online giving tools allow church members to mange and track their contribution levels. Increasing stewardship levels with online giving tools with help build a robust ministry that better meets member needs. For more information about online giving, download the ACS ministry guide Setting The Stage For Good Stewardship.
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Christians foregoing Facebook for 'digital fasting'
KPDQ Share
In an age when many religious leaders embrace the latest technology and even "tweet" from the pulpit, some are reassessing the potential negative impact of online overload. "Unplugging has become essential to my spiritual journey and truly hearing God," said Anne Jackson, an author, speaker, and volunteer pastor at Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tenn. "For me, all the noise can drown that out if I'm not careful."
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Reaching children worldwide with free throws
Ministry Today Magazine Share
Most ministers cringe at the thought of asking people for donations, especially when it comes to raising funds for buildings or missions projects. That's why Perry Dissmore, pastor of Bear Creek Assembly of God in Panama City, Fla., opted to rely on another talent to generate income: his sharpshooting skills on the basketball court.
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Lessons churches have learned from the economic crisis
Church Solutions Magazine Share
Rumblings of economic turmoil were being heard long before the collapse of Lehman Brothers in the fall of 2008, but many see that event as the beginning of the financial crisis that has forever altered our economy and culture. Looking back at the 13 or so months since that institution’s demise, are there lessons to be learned for ministries and those who lead them? Absolutely. Few of these lessons have been easy. Words such as “painful” come to mind when asked to describe them. In our work providing banking resources to evangelical ministries across the country, we’ve seen three particularly important lessons emerge.
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Dirt’s flying, but pledges are down. What can we do?
Church Executive Magazine Share
The pastor of "Hometown" Community Church noted in a casual way one Sunday that the pledges for the new worship center and classroom buildings were coming in only at a 50 percent rate. Eight months ago the church had a mini-campaign, done without professional fundraising help, mostly to new people in the congregation. The leaders were encouraged enough to proceed with the construction, but just at the time the country was entering a recession. The vision has been shared over the months for the use of the new facilities. But the leadership has had to downsize the plans to bring the building more in line to contributions. What steps can this church, and others like it, take to save the project?
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Kentucky pastor urges: 'just go'
Baptist Press Share
It's informally known as "the church that buys gas for people." The moniker is a result of community outreach spurred when pastor Jeff McMain plainly told members of First Baptist Church in Clay, Ky., to "just go." Members blanketed the small town of 1,000 residents, raking and cleaning yards and, most visibly, lining up at the town's two convenience stores to randomly buy gas for customers in need. People took notice.
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When pastors' silent suffering turns tragic
Religion News Service Share
Those who counsel pastors say Christian culture, especially Southern evangelicalism, creates the perfect environment for depression. Pastors suffer in silence, unwilling or unable to seek help or even talk about it. Sometimes they leave the ministry. Occasionally the result is the unthinkable.
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Master decision-making meetings
Church Central Share
Seasoned pastors know that for every meeting there are actually three meetings. There is the meeting before the meeting, the meeting after the meeting, and the meeting. What happens in the meetings before and after the meeting in the hall, in the parking lot, and on the telephone is more important than what happens in the meeting.
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With focus and creativity, churches can engage children during Sunday school
Your Church Share
One ongoing expense for churches is children's Sunday school curriculum. But what can churches do when budgets tighten? Church leaders care about children, and they want the most effective curriculum for those children, but what happens when the funds aren't available--or get scaled back--for such purchases?
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Many religious institutions get serious about security
San Diego Union-Tribune Share
Every few months, more than 100 security volunteers at the Rock Church in Point Loma run through drills to prepare for a gunman attack, a kidnapping at the nursery or disorderly outsiders. That church isn't alone in fearing violence and vandalism. Once deemed sacred sanctuaries off-limits to criminals, religious institutions are becoming vulnerable targets to shootings, thefts and protests because of their low-tech security and open environment.
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Finally, 4 SIMPLE things that every Church should know
 Mark MacDonald, PinPoint Creative
Why does everything have to be so complicated? There’s Facebook, Twitter, Websites, Sermon Streaming and lots more. But when it comes down to using all of them effectively; surprisingly, there are four simple things every Church should know. Starting with identifying and understanding… MORE
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InFocus offers exclusive discounts on projectors for worship entities
Enhance any presentation or event with InFocus projectors. Project images, hymnal lyrics, and video content up to 15 feet in diagonal measure and clear digital resolution with InFocus projectors. Ask your local InFocus reseller about the new InFocus 5300 and 5500 series models, or the popular 5100 series. All are excellent solutions for any sanctuary or installation application. Also ask about discounts for worship and nonprofit organizations. Go to www.infocus.com for product details.
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| Microsoft develops a complete ministry management solution
The world's largest software manufacture has created a church management application that offers customized reporting, data management, accounting features and a volunteer management component . This new product is an affordable software solution tailored for faith-based organizations. Proclaim is the only totally integrated software solution for churches built on Microsoft Dynamics.
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| Spray 'n Go before the snow!
Cost less than rock salt, environmentally friendly, no tracking or staining.
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Easy, Online Payroll — including Clergy Earnings
SurePayroll makes it easier than ever to manage religious organizations' payroll, with our easy, online payroll service.
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Schermer Pecan Company
produces superior shelled pecans and pecan treats for your fund-raising programs -- and we have for more than half a century.
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Automated Call and Phone Tree
Phone Calls & Text Messages
Send interactive phone calls and text messages to your entire congregation. Increase attendance, response and participation.
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