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Confronting religious bias with education
Sheilamary Koch EducationHate-spurred tragedies like the recent Pittsburgh synagogue massacre make religion-related aggression in the U.S. difficult to deny. However, the increase in the subtler harassment children face at school based on the religion their families practice can more easily slip below the radar. Anti-Semitic incidents in schools jumped a staggering 94 percent in 2017 — with 457 incidents reported by the Anti-Defamation League — making K-12 schools the place where the most such incidents occurred last year.
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How to know when to say no
Deborah Ike Religious CommunityIn ministry, we’re often in a position where we want to please others and make them feel cared for and valued. That’s not a bad thing. However, if you agree to every request for your time and energy, you’ll burn out fast. Whether your title includes pastor, worship leader, church business administrator, or another role on staff, you’ll often receive requests for your time. When you receive these requests, you probably feel somewhat conflicted. The decision becomes even more difficult when the request isn’t unreasonable and sounds like something you’d enjoy doing. So, what to do?
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Why what your pastor wears is important to what they say
Mark MacDonald Religious CommunityWe live in a consumeristic world. I realize most pastors and ministry leaders don’t like this reality. So, we have two choices: change the world or adopt the reality (without sinning). I’ve had agents representing me for 30-plus years as I’ve walked fashion runways, acted in movies, appeared in TV ads, and sold products in magazines. Sure, you probably know me more for church communications, though. But the two worlds where I work are complementary. Here are four things I’ve learned from being a model (and why it matters to a ministry leader).
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How to make a project management tool work for your church
Deborah Ike Religious CommunityProject management tools such as Asana, Basecamp, Trello, and others can be useful in helping church teams plan events and manage projects. Many church leaders select a tool and excitedly roll it out to their teams hoping this will make their projects immediately run smoother and finish on time. Unfortunately, there’s often a level of disappointment that happens once a church staff starts using the tool. That disappointment probably has nothing to do with the tool and everything to do with the process.
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4 reasons why most churches are doing social media wrong
Mark MacDonald Religious CommunityI’m not sure why the church struggles with social media so much. It seems like our leaders, the congregation, and even communication teams have problems when it comes to being social on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The church, of all places, should understand what it means to be social since the definition of "church" is a collective group of believers! Fellowship and community should come naturally, but we all know it doesn’t. If you’re struggling with social media, take a look through your recent posts and I’m guessing you’ll see these four reasons.
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5 tips to escape the meeting trap
Deborah Ike Religious CommunityDo you find yourself running from meeting to meeting all day long? Are you frequently double-booked with meetings? If so, consider this: Is your presence vital for each of those meetings? Now, I’m not suggesting that you don’t have something valuable to contribute. However, your time and energy might be better spent elsewhere. While you probably can’t clear out your calendar tomorrow, here are some tips to help create more free space on your calendar.
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6 tips for must-read headlines and sermon titles
Mark MacDonald Religious CommunityEverything in communication today involves editing. Why? Because our attention spans make us resist spending time reading or listening to something perceived as "long." Our headlines or titles are the ultimate summary of what’s to come in the content. But some research suggests that people don’t read an entire headline any more. Yes, it’s gotten that bad. Others say people often assume the meaning of a headline by seeing three to four of the first words. Can a church create headlines or sermon titles that demand to be read? Here are six tips.
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5 questions to ask before scheduling a church event
Deborah Ike Religious CommunityFrom marriage seminars to outreaches and more, events can be an incredible ministry tool. However, it’s easy to get into a familiar routine and host the same events every year. It’s also tempting to fill the calendar with activities to provide something to everyone. Unfortunately, this approach can lead to lackluster events that don’t achieve your objectives along with staff and volunteers who are exhausted from rushing to make these events happen. As you discuss various event ideas and look to determine which events to approve, consider the following questions as a filter for that decision-making process.
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4 simple changes to make your foyer more welcoming
Mark MacDonald Religious CommunityWe all want guests to visit and stay at our church. Our well-produced websites, social media, and flyers will lead them to our building (along with an excellent, word-of-mouth invitation), but our foyer (or lobby) is the place that gives a guest one of their first impressions. We must get it right! In the first three minutes inside the door of your church, guests need to feel welcome. Even with a guest services squad of welcomers, they still need these four things. Consider making these changes this week.
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7 things you don’t want to forget when planning fall events
Deborah Ike Religious CommunitySummer is winding down, and with the start of fall comes a plethora of church events. As you plan for fall festivals, outreaches, and Christmas plays, make sure your to-do lists include consideration of these easy-to-forget items. For example, depending on how many attendees you anticipate hosting and the roads around your facility, consider whether you need to coordinate with local police for road closures.
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