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Posted on February 3, 2020 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Money is a difficult subject for some ministries to address properly, which is why church websites rarely bring it up.  God wants his followers to be generous with money, not only to those in need but to the church as well.  The Bible is quite clear about it and some people definitely give while a significant number decide against it.  Pastors and older congregation members usually have a difficult time understanding why this division exists regarding money.
 
Why People Give

The factors driving generosity in Christians often varies a great deal.  Some people give because they love what God has done for them.  They also believe his blessings will continue as long as they have faith in him and tithe on a regular basis.

Others know what they are supposed to do according to the Bible and simply want to be obedient.  They understand that God expects obedience from them and happily tithe because the Bible says Christians should do so.  However, others are certain that giving to the church is the key to their financial success.  They are convinced that if they give, God will feel compelled to add to their wealth and make sure their needs are met.

Aside from that, few are simply determined to make a difference so they participate in the work of the church.  They know the money gets used as intended since it feeds the hungry, spreads the gospel, and provides housing for the homeless.
 
Why People Don’t Give

Some people refuse to give money to their church because they think God hasn’t done enough for them.  As such, they feel no compulsion to give back to him or to follow what the Bible mentions about tithing.  A number of believers feel no amount of generosity can attract financial blessings and they don’t care about making a difference in the lives of others.

Even though the actions of such Christians sounds insensitive, it’s not uncommon today.  Most church websites try to guide their congregation by sharing verses from the Bible about giving but they can’t force them to obey that word.
Posted on January 23, 2020 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Prayer is an act that many ministries and ministry websites emphasize the importance of on a regular basis, and for good reason.  Some people don’t know how to pray the proper way and others are so caught up in their day to day lives that they neglect to take time to talk with God.
Even a few Christians that pray every day will admit, more often than not, they are just going through the motions.  In order for congregants to experience the hand of God in their lives, they need to practice having better prayers.
 
Expectations

This is where problems almost always arise as people usually have their expectations set low.  Ministry websites can help Christians pray but they can’t teach them to pray faithfully because they don’t control their thoughts.  A few Christians have turned prayer into a religious routine instead of treating it as spiritual communication with God.

They speak the words but they don’t expect God to respond to their prayers in any noticeable manner.  When there’s no expectation driving those words, it means there’s no faith behind the prayers.  If you have no faith in your prayers, you’re simply practicing a routine.
 
Format

Other people fall into the trap of praying without expectations because they think that prayer must look and sound a certain way.  In an attempt to follow what they think is the proper format for praying, many fall into a routine where they have been taught to kneel, raise their arms, or shout.
Many believers know that God isn’t impressed by any format of prayer, he just wants his followers to engage with him honestly and passionately.  The best way to pray is to have reasonable expectations and avoid practicing an empty routine.  Even though prayers may not be answered, it’s important that Christians maintain their faith at all times.
Posted on January 14, 2020 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Some churches are always looking for more effective communication methods, every pastor understands that their online message is far more important than the church website design.  These platforms are supposed to encourage the congregation, especially when it comes to studying their Bible.  Many Christians plan to read their Bibles more diligently each year but fail to follow through.  As a faithful Christian, you are encouraged to start the New Year by changing the way you read your Bible.
 
Goals

Obviously everyone needs goals as they keep people on track.  However, when it comes to the Bible, it’s better to not set unattainable goals.  Never make unreasonable promises such as reading the entire Bible in a year.  Some individuals think that if they set impossible goals and fail, they can just try again.

If congregants fail enough times, they might lose their will to read the Bible.  It doesn’t really matter how much of the Bible you read if you can’t find the time to study it.  With that being said, make an effort to regularly set aside time to read the Bible each week.
 
Support

The idea of setting aside a moment to read your Bible in isolation sounds appealing because you might think it allows you to focus on God.  But, isolated Bible study can be impossible to maintain consistency so some people do better to join a study group.  If you struggle this year, invite one or two Christians to be a part of your Bible study as it enables you to hold one another accountable.
 
Completion

Every Christian in charge of crafting an attractive church website design understands the importance of emphasizing the relevance of the entire Bible.  Some believers have a tendency to dismiss certain parts, especially books in the New Testament.  As a Christian, try to read the Bible to completion despite what others do.  Each word has the power to transform your faith so persevere through all the sections as they serve a purpose!
Posted on December 23, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Some church websites struggle during this time of the year to keep the message of Christ at the center of their Christmas sermon and activities.  The task is easier said than done as the holiday has become more commercialized each year.  Often, people are more interested in amassing possessions than they are in going to worship God.  How can you remedy this issue and make Christ the focus in your ministry over Christmas?
 
Planning

You need to make a concerted effort if you want Christ to be the focus of Christmas so start by making a plan.  Most stores promote their Christmas offerings a month before the holiday actually begins.  Try to replicate that so you have the attention of your congregation for the duration of the holidays.

Start by talking about the meaning of Christmas as early as possible, maybe the beginning of December.  Create a calendar that identifies and schedules Christian events for you and your whole family.  There are plenty of plays you can attend during Christmas to renew your passion for the true meaning behind the holiday.  Again, this requires planning so start early.
 
Symbols

Another option is to buy gifts that are related to the nativity story.  Many church websites sell these types of items when it’s close to the holidays and you can also put up decorations that are centered on Christ.  This will act as a constant reminder of the birth of Christ.

If none of the steps above are igniting some passion for the true spirit of Christmas in your life, try helping others.  It could be someone in your community that doesn’t attend church.  Reach out to them and boost their spirit with an act of generosity.  After that, use the opportunity to tell them about Christ, his birth, and sacrifice.  Keep these tips in mind going forward as many people forget the real reason for the season.
Posted on December 5, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Some ministry websites can take a great deal of time to complete as there might be issues or complications along the way.  Though they are useful tools for distributing vital ministry information, most of them are loaded with reminders and notifications about church events and programs.

A problem for many churches is when they become too busy and lack the number of volunteers needed.  They think that a busy schedule automatically translates into a thriving spiritual life.  In most cases, this is far from true since churchgoers can only handle a few tasks and remain happy about their role within the ministry.
 
Over Engagement

Without a doubt, a congregation that is always pursuing church activities has no time for community outreach.  If your members spend a lot of time at church, the chances that they are connecting with neighbors, ministering those in need, and spreading the love of God are quite low.
 
Limited Resources

Even if your programs are usually targeted towards the community, church activities require resources.  If you have too many programs that keep a majority of your members occupied, you are likely asking too much of them.  As a result, your programs are probably not as effective as they should be so try do a few tasks extremely well as opposed to doing many of them poorly.
 
Life

Some Christians struggle with finding the right balance in their life.  They don’t want to become too busy within the ministry, nor do they want to be stagnant.  If your congregation isn’t as vibrant as it once was before, it might be because you have burdened them with too many tasks and they no longer have time to pursue the joys of life.

Ministry websites are not the only reason why busy churches exist.  They are merely one reason why pastors should be more careful when assigning tasks to members of the church.  God wants people to enjoy their time at church so make sure your members remain happy with their volunteer roles.
Posted on November 25, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Most ministry websites make it clear that meaningful sermons alone won’t transform the lives of Christians.  For some people, spiritual growth is a long journey as it can take years to happen.  One must pursue it religiously, making small gains along the way while overcoming any obstacles and staying the course until the end.  So, how can you pursue spiritual growth every day and what should you do to strengthen your faith in God?
 
Study The Bible

As expected, the Bible should be the main focus of every believer as it is the foundation by which faith starts and expands.  This is the reason why ministry websites spend a large portion of their time quoting Bible verses to believers.  The truth of God can be found in his word and the spiritual life of a Christian typically begins to grow only by tapping into the truth.
 
Stay Connected Through Prayer

Even though the Bible is the starting point of every Christian’s spiritual life, a close second is prayer.  Once you know God’s word, pray often as prayer is communication with God.  If you want to stay spiritually vibrant, you must maintain your connection with him and that can only happen through prayer.  Without it, your spiritual strength will wane over time.
 
Go To Church

The Bible is a powerful book and prayer guides a majority of people through most of life’s difficult situations.  However, it can be difficult to pursue the truth of the Bible and the revelations of prayer on your own.  You need to fellowship with believers on a regular basis as some people have already overcome problems that may be similar to yours.

Attending church isn’t just part of a routine, it allows you to engage with other Christians who are encouraging and helpful when you might be weak.  As you can see, spiritual growth requires a consistent effort but the rewards it delivers are worth it in the end!
Posted on November 14, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Weekly sermons are a crucial component of every pastor’s life as they create an outlet for them to address the entire congregation.  But, this is also the reason why weekly sermons are so difficult to write.  In many ministries, the congregation consists of people from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of faith.
The sermon must appeal to both the most faithful Christians and new attendees, a task that is easier said than done.  In order to maximize the effectiveness of your message, below are a few statements that should be made during every Sunday service.
 
Direct Your Audience To The Verses

A good sermon comes straight out of the Bible and it will make multiple references to the Bible.  While most preachers are content to simply recite the verses, that isn’t enough.  You should also tell your congregation where they can find the verses which you keep referring to as this encourages Bible literacy.
 
Encourage The Use Of Technology

Today, it is more convenient for some people to carry the Bible on a digital device and they don’t want to be criticized for it.  Help them feel welcome by asking members of your congregation who have a digital copy of the Bible to open it using an app.  Several church websites go so far as to post links to Bible apps.
 
Welcome The Non-Believer

Some people avoid church because they think the pastor might look down upon them as soon as they walk through the doors.  Others attend your weekly sermons but they never feel truly welcome.  Start each sermon by welcoming all those people who are new to the church and let skeptical visitors know that you’re happy to have them.
 
Invite Questions

For some Christians, weekly sermons aren’t enough and they want to know more.  Invite any curious or questioning members to stay after the sermon and give them a chance to be heard.  A number of church websites have a feature that enables members to communicate with the pastor online.  People need to know that you will always guide them and that they can rely on you to minister them in difficult times.
Posted on November 6, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Many people don’t pray as much today as they used to in the past.  There are a few reasons for this, but sometimes it has to do with whether or not an individual thinks it will be effective.  If you don’t believe that God can resolve your conflicts, weight loss issues, or church website design complications, why would you pray to him?
Faith is one of the bigger issues pertaining to this but it isn’t the only issue.  Some people are just not motivated and they struggle to find the energy for true prayer to happen.
 
Why Prayer Might Be Difficult

One reason why people struggle to pray is due to their pride.  They think that the money and talent they have is good enough to keep them going.  There are also individuals that are too busy or tired.  They may have been ridiculed by fellow Christians who are surprised that their prayer life has deteriorated so rapidly.

Some Christians worry about the selfishness of their prayers because all they do is ask.  In all these cases, Christians are failing to realize that prayer is about coming before God and having a spiritual connection.  Regardless of whether it is a personal problem or the church website design has you down, God wants to take the load off your shoulders.  However, you can only reach him through prayer so that needs to be a priority.
 
How To Pray

Prayer is spiritual but it still requires practical action to perform when you lack motivation.  Start by identifying the hours of the day when you are most alert.  If it is early morning, plan your time of prayer into that period.  Make it a routine to find a nice, quiet location and start praying.

Prayer is that simple, even during times that motivation might be severely lacking or absent.  Regardless of the challenge, the only way to overcome this barrier is to start.  Try praying for a few minutes a day and work towards expanding the duration over time.
Posted on October 21, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Church websites have a difficult role to play as they are a virtual tool that can reach the average churchgoer at any time and place.  Churches have a duty to spread the word of God, not just in the lives of adults but also in children.  In many cases, churchgoers include their children in Sunday services and other church events.
Lately, attendance in churches is dwindling because young people are slipping away from Christianity.  In order to correct this issue before it gets any worse, church websites should make an effort of supporting the two most influential factors in a child’s spiritual life.
 
Parents

As expected, parents are the most significant influence on their child’s spiritual life.  This can be a problem because some of them have not only neglected their duties but the church has been all too eager to take over this role of spiritual leadership.  Many parents are happy to take their children to church on Sunday because they believe that church leaders are great people to speak to their child.

However, this might be a mistake as church leaders can only do so much in a limited segment of time.  If this generation of children is going to improve, churches need to elevate the role of the parent so they not only teach them but guide them to mold the spiritual lives of their children.
 
Friends

While parents are the most influential component of a child’s life, friends are a close second.  Often, children misbehave because they have been pressured by their friends.  Parents may not be able to choose their child’s friends, but they can teach them how to choose their friends wisely.  Start by making sure that all the important elements in their lives are exerting the proper influence.  Then, give them the proper tools they need to maintain their faith so they stay on the right path!
Posted on October 2, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
The purpose of a church is to spread the gospel to churchgoers and online visitors.  Most preachers understand this, but many ministry websites struggle to explain the meaning of the gospel.  It would be unreasonable to ridicule them for this since preachers all over face the same struggle.  At the core, the gospel is about the work of God and to have faith in his message.
 
Renewing All Things

Even though the world is broken in some aspects, there are moments of joy and seasons of individual or collective success that result in happiness.  But people also encounter pain, suffering, and worst of all, death.  This is because they live in a sinful, corrupt world and God desires better for them.
Through the redeeming work of Christ, he has promised to forgive if we confess our sins and he has a perfect plan for us.  The work of restorations begins with Jesus, the author and source of all renewal.
 
Eternal Life

People need a savior as they will perish one day and all of them have sinned in one way or another.  As sinful souls, they don’t have the means nor the strength to save themselves.  This is why Jesus came; not to give people a second chance to earn God’s favor but to stand on the cross for them.  According to Romans 5:9, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”  

As a result, people can receive the gift of eternal life.  However, religion presents a series of rules that people must follow to see salvation.  Ministry websites need to emphasize the fact that the gospel places Christ at the center of salvation and renewal.  Trust in the gospel as it can be a guide and a great resource for how you should keep your faith during difficult times.

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