Digital Ministry

It's increasingly hard to keep track of all the social media trends. For churches, keeping ahead of trends isn't perhaps the number one goal; however, keeping a pulse on what's going on in the world of social media can be helpful both to connect with church members through the most popular networks as well as keep current in overall church communication. While most still think of social media in terms of Facebook, Twitter, and all the other networks, the infographic below delves into other technologies that are easily leveraged by social media.

When I launched the first video-based satellite campus of Willow Creek in 2001 the primary question was, “Can this work?” Hundreds of multisite churches later, the question has shifted to, “Should my church go multisite?” What started out as a “Band-Aid” for space and zoning problems of megachurches has developed into a viable option for every local church regardless of size. Multisite is no longer a question of feasibility for a church, but more of a question of strategy, “Is it right for my church?”

Getting ready to run a vacation bible school, or VBS, is no small task. There are many steps involved in pulling together a successful program that reaches kids effectively. While there are many tasks involved in pulling together volunteers, designing curriculum, and setting up music and activities, it's equally important to have a system in place for managing the technology side: registration and payments. It’s a necessary evil for hosting a successful VBS, and when done correctly, can help make the whole process simple, straightforward, and headache-free.

The age old question that business and churches alike need to answer as they look at new systems is “web-based” vs “installed.” Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each solution as well as some available hybrid solutions. Web-Based Church Management Software There are many advantages of using web-based software. The most obvious is the ability to access the software from any computer or mobile device that has an internet connection. So if you want to use your iPad, no problem. Want to use your Windows 10 machine, no problem. As long as you have a browser and internet connection you will be able to access your system. This also gives you the flexibility to use the software from home, the office or even at Starbucks.

The future of online schools is exciting. Technology growth and internet speed has made it easier then ever to trade the traditional classroom for a virtual one. No longer confined by location, you can obtain a degree from the school of your choice in almost any topic. This opens great possibilities of continued education for church staff and volunteers. As you look over the following infographic, consider how far education has come. Note the trends toward interactive education and how the church could approach ministry with this type of focus.

You want to get online giving software for your church. You know that fewer and fewer churchgoers are carrying cash or checks these days, and it’s time to consider some more hi-tech options than passing the plate. (For more on this, see tactics #5 and #15 in our list of practical ways to increase church giving.) You may feel like you’ve made a huge decision. (You have, and it’s a smart one!) But now you face an even bigger one. How do you choose an online giving software for your church? It’s a fair question to ask, and you’re not the only one asking it. Every month, there are more than 6,200 Google searches for church online donation platforms. And what do people find when they make that search? More than a dozen options! How do you choose a church giving software—and how do you know you’re making the right choice?

Tim Goetz has always been good with numbers. Growing up in California’s Central Valley, he would end up getting an accounting degree from nearby Fresno State. Afterwards, he worked for a little over two years as a financial statement auditor at Deloitte and Touché, becoming the Fresno, CA office’s internal control specialist. In early 2007, Goetz felt pulled in another direction and he went to work at one of Fresno’s largest churches, The Well, as an Executive Pastor. He quickly realized something big was missing in all of the big accounting programs — something they all couldn’t do that churches needed them to do. That something was fund accounting.

With Easter behind us, Children's Ministry is gearing up for summer and thinking about Vacation Bible School. As you begin to look for curriculum, think through volunteers and plan your event, here are a few tips to help your succeed.