It’s no secret that certain seasons in the Church Year fall into the category of “busy.” But what about when the pace is a little less rushed and your week isn’t filled with multiple deadlines? Here are some ideas on how to make the most out of a slower or more flexible season in the church office by organizing and updating your records, task lists, and files.
With identifying roles, recruiting, training, supporting, encouraging, and appreciating, volunteer management can quickly seem like an overwhelming task. Add to all of this that the ways in which members can be involved are many and varied. Some things are ongoing over a number of months or years (serving on a board or committee, teaching a class, running the livestream), while others are shorter-term or one-time events (Vacation Bible School, spring clean-up day, coordinating a church-wide picnic).
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Volunteers
As the season of Lent approaches, your preparations are likely well underway, but it often seems a mountain of to-dos remains as Ash Wednesday comes closer. Here are a few reminders and thoughts as we get ready for this time of repentance and reflection on the life and work of Jesus.
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Lent
As you work on your church’s social media plan, making the most out of the content you already have should be on the top of your mind in order to get the most out of your limited time in the church office. Facebook is a wonderful social media platform to transition your print or emailed newsletter to a new digital format without much additional effort from yourself or your office staff. Additionally, much of your congregation is already on Facebook, and developing ways for them to engage with the congregation and stay informed is crucial.
You can reach more people through your online content by utilizing the features Facebook gives users to see the latest information as it comes out. Read below to see some of the ways you can transform your church’s newsletter to easy and efficient social media posts.
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Social Media
Mystery, tension, data, connection, and creativity. These were recurring threads throughout my discussion with licensed clinical social worker, author, and hope-driven mental health advocate Heidi Goehmann. We talked about weariness, God’s Word, belief schemata, and setting flexible boundaries along with the fun we find through technology. Fill your favorite mug with something to sip and join us.
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Professional Development
In the process of creating new and fresh content for your church on different social media platforms, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Although the process may take a while to learn, there are seven easy steps to help you become more comfortable on your page. By following these steps, you will learn what works for you and find ways to engage with a broader group of people who may not hear the Word of God in other places.
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Social Media
“I think [social media] is evil,” a friend told me this morning. I don’t think this is an uncommon view, especially with the people I typically spend time around. Pastors and parishioners alike tend to have one of two views: modern mass media was brought straight from hell, or the internet is the only way to save dying churches. There are surely other viewpoints in the mix, but generally, these two dominate the discussion.
Digital technology is a part of daily life and our collective life together. I sat down via Zoom with Rev. Trevor Sutton, a pastor, speaker, and coauthor of Redeeming Technology: A Christian Approach to Healthy Digital Habits, to talk about thoughtfully engaging with technology, its place in ministry, and the intersection of our digital and heavenly citizenships.
There’s a good chance that “How to Pick the Right Church Management Software” wasn’t a class you or your pastor took in college or seminary. Every church has its own unique needs, so every church needs to make its own decisions on what tools will make a difference in its ministry.
