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Resource Center

Discover how to leverage technology in your church

Technology should not transform ministry, but rather do the things that people don’t have to do so they can do what they do best.

Top 7 Features of Canva’s iOS App

By Amanda Lansche | Aug 25, 2016 9:00:00 AM

Canva brings high-quality graphic design within reach for anyone. Their on-trend designs, beautiful stock photos, and easy-to-use interface have made the web application very popular, especially among business professionals. Their iPad app has seen solid success since it came out in 2014. In July, Canva finally released a mobile app for the iPhone!

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Topics: Software

How to Use Your Smartphone as a Resource for Family Devotions

By Katy Crawford | Aug 11, 2016 11:30:00 AM

A regular devotion time gives fam ilies intentional opportunity to grow in the love and knowledge of Jesus. It also helps to foster ongoing conv ersation in all areas of life, just as we’re instructed to do in Deuteronomy 6:  

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes” (v. 4­-8). 

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Topics: Software

5 Steps for Evaluating New Software Before You Buy

By Peter Frank | Jun 2, 2016 9:00:00 AM

Some people love to go shopping, but it is not one of my favorite activities, so I try to make it as quick as possible. I go in to the store, I get what I need, and I leave. 

However, I am not that way when it comes to purchasing new softtware. In fact, I tend to go about it in a completely different manner. I research all available options, I search for reviews, I test it extensively, and I sleep on the decision before finally making the call to purchase.

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4 Great Presentation Software Options for Churches

By Rev. Daniel Ross | May 3, 2016 9:00:00 AM

Ok, so you have decided that you are going to start using screens in church. You had the conversation on where best to place them, projectors verse large screen TVs, etc. Now, all you have to decide on is what presentation software you want to use.

Here is the great news: there are lots and lots of options! Here is the bad news: there are lots and lots of options!

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Topics: Software

How to Use Google Docs in Your Church Office

By Hannah Hansen | Apr 28, 2016 9:00:00 AM

Ah, Google Docs—arguably the greatest innovation for workflow and class projects. Gone are the days where drafts were sent back and forth via email, downloaded over and over again, until, finally, the document was completed. No, these rudimentary methods are no longer needed, thanks to Google Docs.

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How to Make Excel Spreadsheets Look Amazing

By Peter Frank | Apr 19, 2016 9:00:00 AM

They say, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," but whoever said that clearly has not seen some of the spreadsheets that I have seen.

In my last blog post about helpful formulas, I mentioned that I have an unhealthy obsession with Microsoft Excel. That's only part of the story; I'm also an data visualization snob. 

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Topics: Software Data

How to Maintain a Useful Church Database

By Ann Ciaccio | Feb 25, 2016 9:00:00 AM

Have you ever heard the saying “Junk In, Junk Out”? If this saying applies to anything, it applies to data and databases.

Output from congregational databases can include membership numbers, small group members, contacts and mailing lists, financial reports, and people outside your church whom you have touched in some way. How you collect and store your data will have a direct impact on the information you draw from your database.

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How to Swap Sticky Notes for Online To-Do Lists

By Hannah Hansen | Feb 8, 2016 9:00:00 AM

If I don’t write down that I have to do something, I will immediately forget it. No joke. Whether it’s homework assignments, work duties, or personal chores, if it doesn’t get written down, it doesn’t get done.

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Top 10 Questions to Ask Sales Reps When Buying Church Management Software

By Peter Frank | Oct 12, 2015 9:00:00 AM

When I think of sales reps, I think of Billy Mays.

I know, I know. Infomercials. But he was a good salesman. Everyone knew him and what he sold. His style worked great on TV, but I would have been frightened to buy OxiClean in real life with him screaming at me.

Good thing most in-person sales reps aren’t like Billy Mays!

When you buy church management software, you’ll most likely work with a sales rep who guides you through  buying and training. Church management software is complicated, and it’s a big decision that can set your church back hundreds of dollars.

But first, you need to make sure the software will work for your church! When you find the right solution, it can help make managing finances and members effortless. To ensure you’re completely happy with your new software, ask your sales rep these questions before you decide to buy!

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4 Best Social Media Management Tools for Churches

By Hannah Hansen | Oct 1, 2015 10:00:00 AM

If you’ve spent time on Instagram, you probably know that almost every day of the week has a hashtag to accompany it. For example, there’s #ThrowbackThursday (endless baby pictures), #FlashbackFriday (last weekend’s lake pictures), and #SundayFunday (mimosas and bloody marys).

If these are foreign concepts to you, count yourself lucky!

Basically, there’s an unofficial schedule to indicate what pictures to post when, and most people follow it; they’ll save their baby picture for Thursday rather than posting it on Monday.

The concept of scheduling social media posts is not inherently a bad one, and it does apply to your church (although hopefully you’re not posting too many embarrasing baby pictures of your pastor).You should have a general schedule for posting that you stick to throughout the week.

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