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Free and Discount Online Resources for Churches

May 11, 2017 10:45:00 AM

Free and Discount Online Resources for Churches

In churches we are used to operating on a shoestring budget.  We have to make the most of every dollar and sometimes, every penny. What I want to provide are a few things that are either discounted or FREE that you may not have been aware of previously.

Let’s start with Microsoft

Microsoft provides eligible nonprofit organizations to receive perpetual Microsoft software license donations, like the Microsoft Office software.  Here is a great place to start to see if this may apply for you and your church or nonprofit organization.

Are you looking for computer hardware?  Here are three links that will provide you with places that you could get low-cost computers and hardware to eligible nonprofits.

TechSoup (This could be a huge win for your church or school!)

TechSoup is a nonprofit that serves other nonprofits by organizing many donation programs on their website. They allow charities to register and gain access to support from many valuable programs.  You can register, request and receive donated and deeply discounted software, hardware, and services from many different technology companies such as Microsoft, Intuit, and others.

They may have brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo and Apple desktop computers, laptops, and tablets through their Refurbished Computer Initiative. You will want to familiarize yourself with this gem of a website for churches, schools and qualifying nonprofits.  Almost 300,000 organizations have received hardware and software donations from TechSoup’s donor partners. 

Google

Many of us are already aware of the free tools that Google offers schools.  You can check to see all of the options available to nonprofits by visiting this website. The programs that they offer would be anything from email to online software similar to the Microsoft Office programs and more. 

Denominational Freebies

Check with your main denominational, district or associational website.  Many times you will find free resources there to assist you in ministry.   It’s possible that they may be aware of special discounts to offer you.

Free Bible Study Tools

  • Today in the Church Year - This blog from Concordia Publishing House focuses on specific celebrations for each day in the Church Year. There are posts each Sunday featuring the appointed propers, posts on feast and festival days, as well as the commemorations of the sanctoral calendar. All posts feature a short devotional passage. You can use these posts as a resource for your personal and family devotions as you grow in Christ and His Word!

  • The Lutheran Calendar - In addition to Today in the Church Year, CPH offers The Lutheran Calendar to help you celebrate and remember all of the important celebrations and feasts of the church. The Calendar shares different verses and prayers for each celebration and feast.

  • Bible Hub - The purpose of the website is to share Bible Study tools online.  There are over 20 translations available, compare different versions with parallels, look up topics, readings plans, devotionals and much more.

  • Bible Gateway - On this website you will find 20 Bible versions, many different ways to search either by keyword, topics or verses. You’ll find a devotional and you can even listen to the Bible being read. 

  • Blue Letter Bible - On this website you will discover multiple different Bible translations.  There are also Bible study tools (dictionaries encyclopedias and too many other things to mention), there are maps and images to help you in your study, devotionals, links to free web study tools and also a way to listen to the Bible.

These are just a few things to help you get started. Maybe I’ll share more in a future post. If you know of more, please add them to the comment section below! Sharing successes and ways to help one another…that’s how we learn and grow in ministry. Being a member of this blog means that you have already found a valuable and FREE website to assist you in ministry. Don’t forget to share the CTS blog with others in your ministry circle! 


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Topics: Software

Dave Farnham

Written by Dave Farnham

Dave Farnham is a Software Consultant at Concordia Technology Solutions. He is married and has two children. He enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on his kids in all their endeavors. He loves sports, is a baseball enthusiast, a huge Cardinals fan, loves music, and stands in awe at God’s amazing grace!