Lauren Hunter

Cool Solutions Group has announced new church management software integration partners for eSpace, its HVAC management software, that just might remedy your ever increasing church energy bill. The number one cost influencer to your utility bills can be attributed to the cost of heating and cooling your facility.  The second most factor that contributes to most inefficiencies is controls and behaviors when controlling facilities.

WordPress is a great option for church websites. It's flexible, affordable, easy to implement, simple to upload and change content. WordPress has evolved from a simple blogging platform into a versatile content management system. Today, this open source software tool enables you to create anything between a simple blog and a fully functional website.

It’s easy to be thankful when you've got a stomach full of turkey and pumpkin pie while watching football surrounded by family. But expressing gratitude shouldn’t be limited to Turkey Day. Especially in the church, we should have a Thanksgiving mindset all year round. And that attitude of gratitude should be incorporated into your communication strategy.

Church management software is a valuable tool for effectively organizing and overseeing operational and institutional projects, including registration for special events, camps, conferences, and classes. There are full-service full church management software solutions like ACS Technologies' Realm and Church Community Builder that offer robust solutions that can handle all church management needs, yet online church registration tends to be one of the more popular standalone areas that many churches need help with.

We know as ministry leaders that you often don't get the chance to visit other churches on Sunday mornings. One of the perks I have is that I don't work for a church and can take time each month to visit churches in my area. Recently, our family visited a new church plant that meets at my daughter's middle school. I immediately noticed the lack of clutter on the stage area. I also noticed that there worship leaders were leading from iPads with no sheet music.

While Apple doesn't exactly rule the world, it is king in the business of mobile apps, or so many mobile app developers will tell you. Church apps have been at the forefront of church technology for the past few years. Many churches are wondering if they should have an app, and if so, what should it do and how should it integrate with the other technology they're using as an organization. Those who develop mobile technology for the church and faith-based markets are working hard to stay on top of things in order to provide the best solutions.

Church video marketing is a growing term to encompass church communication through video. While many churches still don't love the term, "church marketing," there is a growing adoption of this terms thanks to church communication pioneers, Kem Meyer, Tony Morgan, Richard L. Reising who wrote, "Church Marketing 101" back in 2006 (this is by no means a comprehensive list).

Often, pastors are asked to speak and officiate events such as weddings and funerals. Musicians and worship leaders are also asked to perform and lead congregations at such events. Often, people are afraid to officially 'charge' for their services even though no one would ever expect someone to perform these events for free.