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4 change management tips for ChMS implementations
Deborah Ike Religious CommunityWhether you’re starting to use church management software (ChMS) for the first time or switching from a previous vendor, there’s a lot that goes into a successful implementation. New software involves learning a new program, changing processes, and the typical implementation headaches. While everyone may agree that change is necessary, they might still get frustrated along the way. So, how do you have a successful implementation and a happy team? Here are a few tips.
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Churches, ‘COMM’centrate on 6 things
Mark MacDonald Religious CommunityThere are many distractions and options when thinking about church communications. Focus is the key, and that “COMM”centration is required for a church to become noticed. Each person in your community and congregation has a lot of competition for thoughts and actions, too. The shotgun approach rarely works. If you’re not concentrating on the right things by limiting what people know about you, you will be ignored. Here are the six things your church needs to COMMcentrate on.
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Avoiding burnout in a difficult year
Deborah Ike Religious Community2020 has been a year full of unforeseen challenges, to put it mildly. You've probably had to shift gears repeatedly to deal with the latest curveball thrown your way. If you're feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and always on alert for the next battle, you're not alone. Ministry isn't easy in a typical year, but this year has been anything but typical. Even in a season as difficult as 2020, burnout isn't inevitable. Avoiding burnout will require you to make some tough decisions and possibly do things that feel selfish at first.
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Stop developing your church website until you do these 3 things
Mark MacDonald Religious CommunityYou're trying to achieve a great online presence. You're looking at other websites and wondering why they're so informative and entertaining. It's not as simple as it looks. Your church needs a website, but it has to be good (or it'll be ignored). From my decades of helping churches develop communication materials and developing many websites for others and myself, here's what I've learned. Put your website hat down until you do these things.
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How to cultivate a problem-solving culture with your team
Deborah Ike Religious CommunityThis year has brought several challenges. Many of these have forced church leaders to get creative and develop new ways of doing things. Thankfully, even if you’re the senior pastor, you don’t have to figure this all out on your own. You have a team, whether paid or all-volunteer, who can help you handle the next challenge. However, developing problem-solving skills takes intentional practice and action.
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The church trifecta: Benefits, expectations, consistency
Mark MacDonald Religious CommunityI love to eat, and I especially enjoy experiencing food from new places. But, as I'm sure you'll agree, it's difficult to choose new restaurants without relying heavily on recommendations. Many things can go wrong at restaurants! Now, think about churches. Two-thirds of most communities don't really know why anyone would attend church regularly. So, we must rely on that other third. And when they visit? We have to get it right. There’s a tipping point of three critical things that every church must nail in order for people to want to come back.
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5 inexpensive ways to thank volunteers
Deborah Ike Religious CommunityWith all the changes due to COVID-19 this year, church volunteers have had to adapt right along with church staff. Some have learned how to host an online service while others have joined the new disinfecting team to clean between in-person services. After several months of being flexible and "making it happen," now is a great time to express your appreciation. Fortunately, you don’t need a big budget to show volunteers how much their efforts mean to the church.
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A checklist of 10 critical church website functions
Mark MacDonald Religious CommunityYour church website is the critical center of your digital communication hub. An app requires downloads. Social media relies on algorithms to deliver to followers. Emails are only opened by only one-third of recipients. Think stage announcements work better? Most ignore promotions. Ensure your church is found on Google and get people interested in what you're offering by having these 10 critical functions people expect from a church website.
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How listening can help your staff stay strong throughout COVID-19
Deborah Ike Religious CommunityThis year has been full of challenges. It's been a difficult season for everyone — but many look to church leaders and staff for help and reassurance. Since it appears we're stuck dealing with COVID-19 for a while, we need to focus some energy on ensuring our leaders and staff stay healthy. Take the pulse of your team by initiating a conversation. Whether it's via a video conference or in-person, talk one-on-one with each team member.
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Channel preference: How most want communication content
Mark MacDonald Religious CommunityYour congregation and community consume communication content a certain way (a channel). Over time, it’s become their preference even though they devoured it another way previously. Everyone's changing! Our communication role? Ensure we’re delivering content the way "most" prefer. So, how do most prefer to consume information?
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