Discover how to leverage technology in your church

Offerings, or financial giving, can be a tricky thing to talk about in the church. Yet it’s a vital part of ministry and people’s life of faith.

Building a church website is no small feat. When you consider all the elements that go into such a project, it can quickly become overwhelming. Yet when you break it all down step by step, things are far more manageable.

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).

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.

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.

When our twin boys were first beginning to eat solid food, we introduced three simple signs to help them communicate with us: more please, all done, and thank you. While I could probably extrapolate on each of these as it relates to those who serve in our congregations, today we’ll focus on saying “thank you.” Communicating appreciation not only acknowledges the work put into a particular project or effort and the sacrifices made to do so but also is an opportunity to share how an individual or group’s input contributes to the work of the Body of Christ in your particular context.

Through certain seasons in the Church Year, church workers often find themselves burning the (Advent) candle at both ends. Coming in early, working through meals, staying late — they’re all too common. And what happens once we find ourselves on the other side? Often there’s a crash, maybe some burnout, and a general lingering weariness.