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Posted on September 24, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Most church websites take pleasure in announcing significant growth when it comes to numbers and such achievements should be celebrated.  Nearly every pastor wants the congregation to grow and prays for it.  In fact, if many pastors had their way, their church would boast of a new attendance record each week.  But, is that right?
The notion of massive church gatherings may seem ideal for any situation but smaller congregations do have a certain allure to them.  Even though God wants more people to join ministries, smaller churches might bring more to the table than you think.  Here are a few reasons why pastors should be content with slow growth.
 
Quality Of The Church

In most situations, quality is usually preferred over quantity and this is particularly true in choosing a church.  Large congregations may be attractive, but they can be difficult to minister.  People are going to slip through the cracks, though you are just as likely to lose them because your attention is so divided.
A majority of young pastors require a smaller congregation to grow.  They need months, maybe even years, to learn to connect with all churchgoers and a smaller church with slow growth provides that kind of platform.
 
Longevity

Slow growth is critical to the foundation of a long-lasting church.  Congregations that expand too quickly tend to fade just as rapidly because the church can’t adjust fast enough to meet the demands of members.  The best churches afford pastors adequate time to improve their strengths and resolve weaknesses before the numbers become overwhelming.
 
Resources

Slow growth also gives you time to prepare for success down the line.  You may have heard of churches that have so many people that they don’t have the facilities or staff to cater to them all.  The size of your church needs to grow with your resources.  Often, church websites don’t emphasize slow growth because it doesn’t capture the attention of churchgoers.  However, there’s joy to be found in churches that trust in God to grow them at the right time.
Posted on September 13, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
If the church website design of your ministry doesn’t look quite as modern as you expected, it might indirectly be your fault.  Most churches need the financial backing of their members to survive.  Yet, so many churchgoers struggle with the notion of giving to their church, even when it comes to tithing.  Do you have some members of your congregation that only give a limited amount?
 
What God Says

Often, people refuse to give because they don’t understand the Bible.  Most preachers will tell you that giving is the first step you must take to achieve financial health.  Verses such as Timothy 6:17-19 assure followers that God wants them to act as a channel for his blessings and word to reach people all over the world.  Make sure you frequently remind your congregation and visitors on how God would want them to tithe.
 
Common Excuses For Not Giving

If giving to the church is a struggle for you but you want the church website design to improve, you’re not alone.  Many churchgoers choose to keep their money in their pockets on Sunday and the excuses they give are never quite as convincing as they think.  Naturally, there are those whom struggle with their finances.  They don’t have enough money and they think the amount they would give wouldn’t be much help.

In Luke 6, there’s a scene in which Jesus praises those who give and are living in poverty.  The Bible doesn’t excuse Christians from giving just because they don’t have enough.  In fact, those who give from the little they have are usually praised even more.  This also applies to church members that are struggling with debt.  Obviously, you should attend to your debt but the financial needs of the church need to be a priority.

Even if the amount you donate is miniscule, don’t assume that it doesn’t matter.  Every donation makes a difference, no matter how small.  Sometimes you may not see the full impact your tithing has had so talk to the pastor directly to determine if the church has effectively used your donations.  Regardless of what you find, God expects you to give generously so the ministry is able to function at its best!
Posted on August 26, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
The digital revolution is here to stay, and if you manage church websites, someone out there is probably pressuring you to push the production quality of your content forward.  In particular, 4k has gained a lot of momentum over the last few years.  Many churches today have started to wonder whether or not this form of technology is worth the investment.  Below are some questions you should think about when upgrading the video equipment of your church.
 
Does Your Church Need 4K Video?

As you might expect, this is the first question that every church must ask.  Many churches use screens in some capacity so it’s easy to see how they might conclude that 4k video is essential.  However, most churches rarely fill their seats and they only use their screens to display sermons and song lyrics.

Such content doesn’t require 4k video.  4k video works best when paired with high-end productions that feature drop-to-the-floor screens.  If such undertakings don’t sound like your church, then 4k isn’t for you.
 
What Should You Keep In Mind?

Once you determine that the sermons stored on church websites would benefit from 4k video, take a moment to consider the costs you will incur as a result of integrating this technology.  First of all, 4k cameras can be expensive and lower priced models have a tendency to overheat every twenty minutes or so.  Make sure you think about all the ways such a limitation will affect a church whose sermons normally exceed 45 minutes.

You must also consider the work that comes after you get your footage since 4k video is extremely crisp and clear as the 4k cameras capture a lot of information.  This usually translates to large files that take longer to transfer and take up more space.

Are your computers able to meet the editing needs of 4k videos?  If they don’t, expect to spend even more money on new computers.  Upgrading to 4k video can be quite expensive and each ministry has different demands so take everything into account before making the transition.
Posted on August 12, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Aside from ensuring that all communication lines are working properly, those in charge of church communications have to post relevant content on ministry websites, social media accounts, and even send out emails.  This is just a small portion of their tasks as they need to make sure microphones and speakers are working properly, as well.  Hence, the chances of someone getting exhausted with this role are quite high.  If you’re in charge of church communications, here are a few tips to help you along the way.
 
Don’t Set High Expectations

Trust is vital when it comes to church communications and one way to build it up is to deliver what you promise.  If church members expect to see 5 Facebook posts a week, try your best to publish these posts every week so you don’t lose your members’ trust.  Be sure to establish reasonable expectations and fulfill your promises so everyone is happy with your services.
 
Create A Team

When Jesus first started, he didn’t work alone; he had help from others and your ministry should too.  Rather than attempting to handle all the communication tasks by yourself, you should consider asking volunteers from the congregation to help you.  Members usually enjoy posting content to ministry websites and creating stories on social media outlets.
 
Take Time To Rest

Even though you may not feel tired, it’s good to stop and rest once in a while.  Besides, God rested after creation so set aside adequate time to relax.  After all, ensuring that the church’s communications are running smoothly is a demanding task.  If you work endlessly, you will surely become fatigued and that might affect your performance.

These tips will get you started and eventually help you thrive in ministry communications.  In the beginning, make sure you don’t set expectations that are too high and only promise what you can deliver.  Then, create a team to assist with everything so you accomplish tasks more efficiently.
Posted on August 2, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
According to a recent survey, almost 60% of workplace distractions come from social networks.  In today’s churches, the case isn’t much different.  Even though technology is useful for ministry growth, it can also introduce disruptions that ultimately reduce the efficiency of the church.  The following sheds light on some of the possible distractions in a church, as well as how to overcome them.
 
Sources Of Distraction

When it comes to online distractions, the most common sources include social media, email, and church websites.  While it’s okay to quickly share an important message from the pastor, social networks can often capture one’s attention and lower their participation.

However, distractions don’t only come from internet browsing.  Issues with the sound system can also create worship interruptions.  When the mixing is poor or choir members are not singing in harmony, time gets wasted and it eventually has a negative impact on the worship experience.
 
Discourage Internet Browsing

Some churches ask their congregants to turn off their devices, but that’s not always appropriate since there might be members using them to read part of scripture.  A more effective strategy would be to ask them to turn off their notifications during the service.  On a side note, putting their phones in airplane mode could be the best solution as it blocks text messages and calls.
 
Have A Prepared Sound Team

Before the service, make sure your praise or choir members prepare well in advance so they sing harmoniously on Sunday.  The sound team should prepare as well and check that all the sound equipment has no issues such as bad cables that might interrupt the service.

As you deal with worship interruptions in your church, keep in mind that online platforms such as church websites and social media accounts are beneficial when it comes to growth.  Therefore, remind the congregation periodically about the best time to use these platforms so they follow the church online when the service is over!
Posted on July 29, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Some forms of technology that improve communication between you and your congregants are a good church website design, an excellent sound system, and video editing software.  However, did you know it’s not a must to have cutting-edge tech tools to communicate effectively with your audience?  No matter what channels you’re using, applying these three elements will take you to the next level.
 
Clearness

There’s nothing wrong with using words that are unique to your church but when these words are new or strange to your audience, your message isn’t very helpful.  For instance, certain churches have used one word titles to invite their followers on social media to a singles’ seminar.  Often, this can cause confusion and lead to poor engagement.

If your audience doesn’t understand the words or phrases you’re using, how do you expect them to respond appropriately to your message?  It’s better to use terms that everyone can understand, and for times when you can’t do that, try to include a subtitle that explains it better.
 
Consistency

Even though it might be a little boring to have the same themes or styles on your church website design, social media accounts, and newsletters, audiences hate confusion more than boredom.  Therefore, try maintaining a consistent branding across your platforms, both online and offline.  Your audience will appreciate this as they can easily identify you with your branding.
 
Repetition

Some messages might be missed, or perhaps a congregant misses a service, so make a point to repeat your messages over and over.  The more your audience hears it or sees it, the greater possibility that the message will be remembered.  For example, if you’re holding a wedding at your church in two months, remind your congregation every Sunday and post about it frequently on your online forums.

You don’t need to have the best sound system or the greatest church website design.  Instead, focus on being more consistent with repeating your messages and exercise clarity regularly, then communication within your ministry should improve.
Posted on July 5, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
In scripture, there are excellent examples that showcase the importance of numbers in the ministry.  For instance, Jesus used five loaves and two fish to feed thousands of people.  The impact of such numbers goes far beyond the mentioned figures; they often stress God’s abundance and how people should have a strong faith.  Whether they’re being used to assess church attendance or to track trends on ministry websites, numbers are still significant today.
 
Gather The Right Amount Of Supplies

In order to plan accurately, you should know how many people attend your church or are going to attend one of your events.  It helps you get the correct amount of supplies without falling short or wasting resources.  Having a thorough analysis of your attendance is extremely important in making critical decisions such as expanding the place where services are held or moving to a more spacious location.
 
Spreading The Word Through Proper Channels

Like marketing, preaching is done through a variety of ways.  You can use ministry websites, social media networks, live crusades, and door to door preaching.  When you know the size and demographics of your audience, it helps you choose the most effective channels.  For instance, using social media to preach to a group of seniors would likely be ineffective; that approach works better on younger people.
 
The Role Of Technology

Today, technology has made it a lot easier to track numbers in your ministry.  You can easily see trends and evaluate your performance while coming up with innovative ways to improve.  From web tracking software that assesses traffic on ministry websites to cameras that capture the actual size of your audience on Sunday, there are countless tools you could utilize.

Numbers aren’t meant to be worshipped as a sign of power.  Instead, they’re supposed to help you assess your performance as a disciple of Christ.  For that reason, track them periodically and use the figures not to boast or brag but to identify room for improvement each year.
Posted on June 25, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Have you ever thought about how believers studied scripture dating back to the beginning of times?  Back then, not everyone had access to the written word of God.  Some disciples would go around and read God’s word out loud to the people.

With modern technology today, almost everyone has their own copy of the Bible, either in hard copy or on one of their devices.  There are also options such as church websites that are trying to help believers understand God’s word.  But, how effective would it be to learn the Bible through an audio form?
 
Modern Audio Learning Of The Bible

While most Christians might have their own copy of the Bible, listening to someone read God’s word is still widely practiced.  In churches, preachers issue sermons by reading out verses and interpreting them to help the congregation have a full understanding about biblical subjects.

With YouTube, radio, and church websites, technology has made it possible for members to still listen to a sermon even if they are absent.  But, one of the best tech tools that revolutionized audio learning of the Bible has to be bible apps.  Some of the top bible apps have an audio feature so you can listen to the scripture rather than read it.
 
Benefits Of Audio Bibles

Even though there are many benefits of these audio Bibles, perhaps the most important one is the simplicity factor.  You no longer have to strain to read what is written as you can now listen to it.  This is extremely convenient for a person that has poor vision.  Believers can also study parts of the Bible while engaging in other activities such as driving.

Aside from that, audio forms of the Bible may be integrated with other tech tools.  Technology offers an abundance of benefits that the church can take advantage of, but unfortunately, not all pastors know this.  In order to provide great tech support to the church, take the time to help your members download an audio bible app!
Posted on June 14, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
There’s probably not a church in the world that doesn’t appreciate what their volunteers do for them.  From serving as ushers to helping with the church website design, volunteers do a lot and often get little to no pay.  Unfortunately, volunteers quit from time to time and when they do, they may leave a gap in the ministry that is tricky to fill.  So, how can you ensure your volunteers step down smoothly and don’t leave a void?  Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind.
 
Be Prepared

Obviously, it is expected that people will quit from their volunteer positions at some point, and that’s okay.  When a volunteer devotes a portion of their free time to the ministry, always appreciate their efforts since they’re not obliged to stay.  One way to stay prepared is to constantly train new people for volunteer positions such as helping improve the church website design.
 
Provide A Process

Most churches tell their recruits upfront what they expect of them before they start.  However, they forget to inform them what process to follow upon quitting.  Take the time to explain to a potential volunteer how to quit properly as it may be helpful to them and the church.  For instance, tell them that you appreciate their help but they should inform you well in advance if they ever need to step down.
 
Bless Their Contribution

In some cases, certain members of the church may be upset about a volunteer leaving, especially when they do so without prior notice.  But it’s not fair to forget how much time a volunteer devotes towards helping the church.  For that reason, it would be a nice gesture to write them a thank you note or recognize their contribution during a service.
There are many reasons why volunteers step down from their roles.  It might be due to a personal issue so try asking them why and if it involves their workload, you could adjust it to keep the volunteer a little bit longer.
Posted on June 3, 2019 8:00 AM by Faith Sites
Categories: General
Have you ever followed big churches online or checked out their ministry websites and been in awe of their substantial social media following?  A large budget that is set aside for building an online presence is a great advantage, isn’t it?  However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have an enviable social media presence if your budget is limited.  All you need to do is answer these three basic questions when creating and maintaining your social media accounts.
 
What Is Your Purpose?

Some pastors or church leaders want to have a social media presence because everyone has told them that it’s important.  But, that’s a vague reason and it likely won’t help you grow your ministry at a decent rate.  At some point, you might even wonder what to post about.  Avoid that by having a clear purpose like reinforcing the Sunday sermon so you make decisions faster when posting and keep investing in your social media presence.
 
What’s The Goal Of Each Post?

One strategy that well-known churches have mastered is that of posting with a distinct objective.  Rather than posting about general information, they choose their topics carefully and ensure that each post has a mission to accomplish.  For instance, if they want to direct visitors to their ministry websites, they place a clear call to action button.
 
Am I Consistent?

When building up a social media presence, consistency is one of the main aspects you should always be thinking about.  If your audience doesn’t know when to expect a post, they’ll eventually drift away from your content.  Try giving your social media accounts a similar feel by adopting a uniform design and tone.

In doing so, you create your own unique brand that followers can identify with.  Even though you may not have as much money as other churches, you can still have a stellar social media presence.  The key to a loyal following on social networks is to understand your purpose, post with a clear objective, and be consistent and patient.

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