All Religious Community Articles
  • Church safety: On the road again

    Amy Scott Religious Community

    ​In this church safety series, we've discussed ​forming a safety team and steps to take to make your church safer. But keeping your members and attendees safe doesn't end when you leave the church grounds. Many churches use church vehicles to transport those who are otherwise unable to come to church and for off-campus events.

  • 4 tricks to conquering church social media

    Mark MacDonald Religious Community

    Social media is here to stay. ​According to Neoteric UK, 45 percent of users feel "worried or uncomfortable" when email or Facebook aren't accessible. We like scrolling through our feeds, with many of us getting our news from it. With Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat capturing most of the people in your church, why shouldn't you show up for the regular meetings? Or do you know this and you're struggling to make social media work in your church?

  • The inside scoop on why people serve

    Deborah Ike Religious Community

    Why did you get up and go into the office this morning? One big reason is likely to keep a roof over your head and food on the table, right? Why do you exercise a few times each week? So you can get or stay in shape and be healthy. Why do you make sure you have most evenings at home with your spouse and children? So you can have a strong family and a loving relationship with them.

  • Church safety: Policies for children’s ministry

    Amy Scott Religious Community

    ​Now that we've discussed establishing a safety team, preventing and treating medical emergencies at your church, and addressing your building’s physical grounds, let’s discuss child safety.

  • Church safety: Secure buildings and property

    Amy Scott Religious Community

    So far, we've discussed forming a church safety team and helping your church prepare for potential medical emergencies. However, installing first aid kits and training volunteers in basic first aid is only the first step of keeping your church safe.

  • 3 ways your lobby is a barrier to potential new members

    Mark MacDonald Religious Community

    For years I've been conducting church mystery visits. Some call it a secret shopper, but ultimately I'm walking into churches across the country with church culture knowledge coupled with the community's demographic research. This formula produces definitive steps to helping churches become relevant while removing barriers to those entering for the first time.

  • Church safety: Handling medical incidents

    Amy Scott Religious Community

    ​​In the first article of the series, we discussed establishing a church safety and security committee. Once you form a committee, addressing medical needs should be one of your first tasks. While some safety concerns vary based on the church's location or size, medical emergencies can occur in urban churches or rural churches, along with megachurches and small congregations.

  • Is your church known by love?

    Mark MacDonald Religious Community

    Church is a group of Christ-followers, and Christ asked us to love like He does. When each of us follow His example, we will be known for love. Being known for something requires consistency and strategic intention. It's not easy.

  • Church safety: Establishing the dream team

    Amy Scott Religious Community

    Living in Charleston, South Carolina, I've witnessed the Emanuel AME Church tragedy's local impact. From memorial services and fundraisers to marching band halftime shows and walk/run events, everyone in Charleston has come together to remember the victims in different ways. Local places of worship have also addressed safety concerns and developed plans of action if a crisis occurs.

  • Why volunteer? Because it’s good for your health

    Bob Kowalski Association Management

    If you've ever volunteered your time to a charity or other worthy cause, you know you feel good about it at the end of the day. That effort also boosts your health, according to researchers. That's just the start; the benefits of that generosity reach a long way, even to your employers' bottom line.