GROW GIVING & MAKE AN IMPACT

While Halloween used to be seen as a problematic holiday within the church, times have changed. If you are seeking fun ways to engage your congregation for Halloween, we've got you covered. Rather than shunning the holiday altogether, you can provide a safe environment for the children and families of the community to play while also boosting your membership. If this sounds like your goals for the Halloween season, keep reading.

Halloween Movie Night

No, this is not a suggestion that you should show scary movies at your church on Halloween night. Rather, you can family-friendly movies that may have an element of Halloween in them. For instance, Mean Girls, the Scooby-Doo movies, and even Diary of a Wimpy Kid are all examples of movies that involve Halloween but are not necessarily scary movies. Either way, before or after the film, be sure to discuss the evil aspects of Halloween and explain to all of the children and families how to stay true to their religion while still enjoying holidays such as Halloween.

Making Candy Apples/ Bobbing for Apples

Another way to embrace the Halloween season is by making candy apples. Given that candy apples are essentially synonymous with the Halloween season, this is a fun way to celebrate without fully embracing the dark aspects of Halloween. Also, there are plenty of recipes you can try, in order to provide your attendees with a wide variety of choices.

On another note, while bobbing for apples may be a tad outdated, it doesn't have to be. For health reasons, many people do not want to literally dip their faces in the same bucket of water as others. However, there are new age ideas to recreate this game. For instance, you can tie the apple up by the stem and hand them from a clothesline.

Trick or Treating

Rather than going out and trick-or-treating on the streets, you can set up a trick-or-treating experience at your church (or a location of your choice). In fact, you could even try the new “trunk-or-treat” trend, in which parents park their cars in a safe location and the kids go from trunk to trunk collecting goodies. You can have church clergy and other members dress up in fun costumes and allow the kids to walk around and collect candy, cookies, toys, books, and anything else you can think of. This is a great way to embrace the wonder of Halloween without delving into the negative aspects of the holiday.

Scavenger Hunts

Another fun holiday idea for churches is to have a scavenger hunt. You can create clues that are church-friendly and hide toys, prizes, candy, bibles, and other books of your choice. Be sure to invite enough adults to supervise the kids, and you can do this at a park, in the church, or any combination of places you have deemed safe.

Pumpkin Carving

Another fun Halloween activity is pumpkin carving. This activity is fun for all ages and allows people to be creative while also celebrating Halloween in their own way. However, rather than making scary faces, encourage the attendees to make happy faces, biblical characters, and other positive things you can think of.

Have a Party

Invite the neighborhood for a night of food, drinks, and church-friendly music by having a Halloween party. However, rather than allowing scary costumes, encourage everyone who attends to dress up as a biblical character, and animal, or other positive costumes they can create. Additionally, rather than calling it a Halloween party you can call it a blessings party or a fall harvest party. For an added bonus, you can even have a costume party and give the winner a small prize.

Halloween Hayride

Another fun Halloween event is the haunted hayride. However, obviously, you will not want to create anything that is spooky or haunted. Rather, you can simply have an event in which hayrides are offered and instead of having frightening characters jump out and scare the attendees, you can simply sing your favorite church songs, play music, blow bubbles, play with flashlights and glow sticks, and anything else you can think of. By holding this event after dark, this will allow the members to have fun while others are out trick-or-treating. Also, you should encourage people to dress up in church-friendly costumes and tell their favorite bible stories.

Overall, there are plenty of ways to safely celebrate Halloween without forsaking your belief in God. Rather than simply ignoring or condemning the holiday altogether, having your own Halloween event is a great way to commune with your congregation, and let them know that the church is a safe place for everyone. Moreover, this is also a great way to boost membership as you can advertise the party and request that members bring friends and family members. From there, you would simply invite them to the next event or even Sunday service, to get them more involved in the church. Either way, the goal is to create a fun event that allows members of your church to have fun without being involved in anything that is innately sinister or evil.

When you started your life in the ministry, you likely had a sound understanding of the way things worked. Alas, churches have changed over the last decade. A failure to recognize this truth can lead to low attendance, lost members of the flock and even the unfortunate necessity of shuttering the doors to your house of worship.

America already loses between 6,000 and 10,000 churches yearly, so it’s disheartening to see one of God’s temples needlessly fail. It's a fact that what worked 10 years ago may not necessarily work today. The world is changing around us, so it’s essential that we discard some of the old ways of thinking. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to mean changing who you are as a church.

1. The ‘All Are Welcome’ Sign

We’ve all seen the welcoming notices posted on outdoor marquees or hanging signs. ‘All Are Welcome’ is the message, and at one point, this was warm and inviting enough to bring in curious passersby. Unfortunately, this reality has changed over the years.

The fact is that people have become less social. Nearly 90 percent of Millennials have even admitted to missing out on real life interactions because they were playing on their phones. It’s not just smartphones, though, that are at fault for less sociability.

People just find it hard to interact with strangers today. To many individuals, walking into an unknown church feels much the same as coming to a wedding uninvited. This means your outreach should put a larger focus on social media and getting current members to invite others.

2. Expecting an Automatic Return

There’s never been a guarantee that a first-time attendee would return – although the possibility seemed far more likely in the past. What could be counted on, however, was that young adults would instinctively return to church once they started a family.

This is one of the most drastic ways church has changed over the years. From the ‘30s to the ‘70s, American attendance was at 70 percent or higher. This number had dropped to 50 percent by 2018. There was also a 12-point decrease in attendance among married individuals between 1998 and 2018.

An expectation of automatic return once worked in the church, but this is no longer the case. We need to increase our outreach and work to keep young members active in the congregation to combat this.

3. Expecting People to Feel God’s Presence

People once came to church to feel the presence of God, and for most, this simple fact hasn’t changed. Before the world became so modernized, however, simply sitting in the pew made everyone feel as if they were among a holy presence.

Unfortunately, 49 percent of church attendees say they no longer always feel the presence of God when they’re in church. Nearly one in ten ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ feel his presence. Since this is the reason most people choose to go to church, it paints a bleak picture for the future.

We can no longer expect everyone to feel God’s love just because they’re in a pew. We have to work hard to show them that the Lord is present.

4. Staff Prioritization on Worship Leaders

Just ten years ago, what worked in church was a prioritization on worship leaders. While this position is certainly still important, houses of God that have kept up with trends now put more focus on their children’s ministry.

This isn’t a huge surprise. Millennials were projected to outpace Baby Boomers as the country’s largest age demographic in 2019. This means the largest subset of the population is having kids, and they're seeking out churches that are fun, educational, sanitary and safe for their children.

Adapting to this unavoidable change in church priorities is essential.

5. Passing the Offering Plate

Recent church online giving statistics show that the number of tithing churchgoers decreased by 21 percentage points between the Great Depression and now. This is a daunting statistic, but sticking to the way church used to work could be having a direct causal link.

It turns out that 80 percent of the most active congregants prefer to tithe electronically. This makes digital giving software an essential tool for places of worship that want continuous growth in the modern world. What works in churches has changed, but people are still willing to give.

6. Relying on Past Learning

We’ve all had preachers who completed seminary and were set to do God’s work for life. The foundation of biblical learning remains the same long after this process, and this used to be enough for an effective career serving the Lord.

In a world that’s constantly changing, though, church leaders have had to begin focusing on continuous learning. Simply knowing the Word of God isn’t enough anymore. You should strive to attend conferences, sign up for courses, stay current on new readings and even consider starting a podcast.

Although this isn’t the way the church worked in the past, constantly growing your knowledge base – regarding the Bible and current trends – should be your goal.

7. Specious Leadership

Nearly 90 percent of people say they find authenticity from brands very important. One out of every five people have actually unfollowed brands on social media for what they saw as inauthentic behavior. These statistics no doubt carry over into houses of worship.

There was once a point when congregants just assumed their preacher was handpicked by God. This assumption often meant they trusted their leader's authenticity without question. This is no longer the case. Churchgoers know their pastor isn’t perfect, and they become disheartened when you try to convince them otherwise.

There obviously shouldn’t be huge unaddressed character issues, but don’t be afraid to let people see the real you.

8. Expectation of Active Members

We need only look back at old photographs, videos or even television shows to see that congregants used to be much more active. Counting on this expectation worked in church, and the bulk of members could be depended upon to show up and take part.

Unfortunately, people simply aren’t as willing to devote their time anymore. It’s estimated that 20 percent of a congregation does 80 percent of the work. Sadly, the rest do very little. Try to overcome this by listening to members about what motivates them, learning patterns of involvement and identifying the most popular activities you have.

Churches have changed when it comes to involvement, but this is a problem that can be overcome.

9. Simply Being a Great Church

Back when church attendance was high, simply being great at what you do was enough to attract congregants. Unfortunately, attendance has faltered. This means doing your job better than other churches won’t always cut it.

Even with so many houses of worship closing every year, people still have plenty of options to choose from. Simply claiming that you’re great won’t work, but showing the community that you’re different will. Folks need to know what’s special about your church.

If you can pull this off, it’s hard to envision how any emerging trend could hinder your growth.

10. Expecting a Prepackaged Community

One of the most worrisome trends in churches is the growing loss of community. Houses of worship were once a place where everyone felt immediately connected to their fellow congregants. The decrease in sociability may explain this, but one in four attendees say they don’t typically feel a sense of community.

Regardless of the reason behind this change, it’s undoubtedly a concerning one. Work hard to connect your congregation and get everyone engaged in activities. This is your flock, and if even one among them feels disconnected, it hurts all of our souls – even if we don't realize it.

What Once Worked in a Church is Changing. Are you?

There’s no denying that people’s mindset has changed over the years. The community is simply more prone to notice inauthentic leadership, dated expectations and an unwillingness to learn. While this has sadly led to reduced attendance, we don’t have to accept it as a foregone conclusion. By understanding what now works in a church, we can begin to guide the flock back to the Father.

If you’re looking for an easy way to help your congregation give back, get started with NewFire Giving today and modernize the way your church operates.

Attracting new congregants in the modern day can be a difficult endeavor. This reality has resulted in many houses of worship seeking out effective church social media strategies. While many social marketing tactics can prove beneficial to congregations, there are a few approaches that seem to be particularly useful when appealing to potential new members.

While your outreach should be multipronged for the best chance at success, these social media tips will get you on the right path in the digital world.

1. Recognize Platform Differences

Maybe the most important church social media strategy is recognizing that multiple strategies are needed. This is because there are countless differences between platforms, and what works well on one may not be as effective on another. Consider the following tips when choosing what to post on each social site:

• Facebook: Works great for images, links, events and photo galleries.
• YouTube: The second largest search engine should hold all your videos.
• Twitter: Links and photos work well, but galleries and events fall flat. Quotes are great!
• Snapchat: This platform lost 2.8 percent of its users in 2019. Teens still love it, but it shouldn’t dominate your time.
• Instagram: Links in photo captions aren’t clickable, but hashtags are very effective.

There are many smaller platforms out there, but these are the big five when it comes to effective church social media. Don’t overwhelm yourself by attempting to utilize all these sites when first starting out. Begin with Facebook and Twitter while making sure to upload your videos to YouTube. If you only use three platforms, these should be your choices.

2. Interact with Followers

Once you’ve created a digital presence on the main social media platforms, it becomes necessary to interact with followers. The average congregation size in America is 75 parishioners, so this shouldn’t be particularly difficult. Even if you have a larger following, though, giving each member even a moment of time can prove effective in growing your flock.

This is because social platforms often show us when our friends are interacting with pages. Every comment has the potential to pop up at the top of our newsfeed. This means that friends of members you interact with will see the exchanges, and this might just encourage them to give your church a try.

By responding to comments left by your followers, you’ll also show them and others that they matter. Building a strong congregation doesn’t just involve attracting new members – you need to ensure current parishioners know you care.

3. Provide Value in Posts

One of the most imperative social media strategies for churches is to provide value in posts. Followers don’t want to be constantly bombarded by donation requests, event pages and declarations of your house of worship’s greatness. You need to share things that people actually care about.

Posts with value can include relatable local news, viral church videos, inspirational images and more. As a leader within your congregation, you’ll also have useful insight on what your membership values. Use this knowledge when deciding what to share.

The 80-20 rule is a good place to start with church social media plans. Directly promotional shares should make up 20 percent of your posts, and the other 80 percent should provide real value to congregants.

4. Provide a New Way of Giving

Experts forecast that 2019 would be the year Millennials outpace Baby Boomers as the largest age demographic in America. This is one reason why a church social media presence became so essential. This younger generation makes up a bulk of the population, so focusing on what attracts this group is vital.

One way to do this is by updating how congregants can contribute. Church online giving statistics show that 60 percent of people want to give digitally. Additionally, Millennials want to know that their chosen house of worship is technologically savvy and up to date in the digital world. In essence, they want to be members somewhere they don’t view as antiquated.

Making critical functions such as tithing a part of the digital world while integrating them into your social media strategy is vital. When young potential congregants witness you actively engaging in these tactics, they’ll know that your church appeals to more than just older generations.

5. Share Stories to Promote

We discussed earlier how only 20 percent of your church social media posts should be geared towards direct promotion. What if there was a way, though, to promote your congregation without being obvious about it? This is where sharing stories can prove effective. Instead of simply saying “our church does great things,” share a promising, hopeful, relatable or emotional story to prove it.

Did the community show up to help with your church revitalization? How about a young woman from the teen mission helping to save a small village’s water supply? Did God miraculously save a congregant from a devastating accident? These are the stories that people love, and that means they're motivated to share them.

Facebook is chock full of inspirational stories – typically including a related image – that have garnered thousands of ‘likes,’ comments and shares. This type of engagement increases the number of potential new members who will see your posts. Even better, it will let them know that the Spirit of God really does move within your flock.

What could possibly be better for attracting new church parishioners?

6. Consider Paid Ads

There are many church leaders who balk at the idea of paid social media advertising. While it’s certainly more rewarding to build up a following organically, there are still many instances when a few dollars and a targeted social ad can do wonders. The great thing is that this form of promotion doesn’t need to break the bank.

That's because Facebook and other platforms allow you to choose who sees your ads. You can select the geographic area, age range, religious affiliation and even special interests of individuals who are most likely to be inspired by your congregation. Even better is the fact that you can choose to target those who don’t already follow you on social media.

When engaging in this type of marketing, it’s important to know your audience. If you’re deciding the appropriate age range for an ad, for instance, don’t immediately discount certain demographics. Did you know that social media’s fastest growing userbase consists of those over the age of 65? This means you should know the makeup of your community prior to submitting an ad.

Quick tip: Always include a high-quality and attention-grabbing image with your ads – along with an invite to your page and church.

7. Collect Data and Adjust

When marketing executives were asked for the most important aspects of success, 64 percent said that data-driven marketing is vital. The idea here is that using data to influence your marketing decisions results in an improved outcome. This is just as true with church social media as it is anywhere else.

We could give you 1,000 social strategies to use, but not all of them would prove effective for you. All congregations and communities are unique in their own way, so the best method of attracting new congregants can differ greatly depending on situational variations.

Fortunately, most platforms show you the level of engagement on every post you share. Take time to review this data. You'll see what’s working in your church’s social media plan, what’s not so effective, and how you can adjust your strategy to target and attract new congregants from your community.

Church Social Media is Essential

There is no question of whether church social media strategies are necessary. They absolutely are. The real question comes down to how effectively you can attract new members on these platforms. Even if you don’t have much experience in this arena, 1 Corinthians 1:26 tells us that God can use the lowliest of his servants for great things. Focus on these strategies, and you will bring in new members.

If you’re looking to offer your new congregants a better way to contribute to the Lord’s work, get started with NewFire Giving today.

The search for finding lasting happiness has been a common thread in the history of man. No matter what continent or country, language or race. The heart of humankind is eternally longing for true happiness, and peace of mind.

As Christians, we can find happiness from within; not just from outer sources of satisfaction. And the ability to retain this impenetrable joy is something we can not only benefit from, but share with others.

What does the Bible say about happiness, and how can we apply this in our modern busy lives? Here are a few Scriptures you can hold on to in times of despair, or whenever your heart needs a little ray of sunshine.

1.   John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

We are not promised that everything will always in peaceful; in fact, “tribulation” is a given. What we can count on is the Lord to be within and with us, no matter what is happening. And His peace will sustain our hearts.

2. Revelation 21:4 – And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

This beautiful promise gives us a lot to look forward to in the afterlife. When all the old things are passed away, and our new lives and new selves can finally find eternal, lasting joy.

3.  Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.

Joy is named as a GIFT. It is not something that we as Christians and believers have to endlessly strive to attain. It is something freely given to us—if we will accept that the joy is ours. How many times have you felt unworthy of happiness? How many times did the blessings of peace come to your heart, but in your business or stressful lives, you did not let it fill your heart with the goodness God promised you?

4. Proverbs 17:22 – A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Science has proven that laughter heals. Like the ultimate “happy pill”, being surrounded by other Christians who inspire us, lift our spirits, and encourage us to find joy in every situation is easy when you have a reliable fellowship for support and prayer.

5. Psalms 118:24 – This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Let’s face it: not every day is going to feel wonderful. In fact, most of our lives are mundane. The happiness you feel is directly related to the attitude you choose to have; how you decide your day will go. Whatever happens, find reason to carry happiness in your heart, knowing that the Lord orchestrated things to happen this way.

6. Proverbs 3:13 – Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding.

Happiness may be a state of mind, and this is exactly why you need to focus on learning, self-development, and Godly education. Anyone can be intellectual, but wisdom comes from experience, from digging deeper, and learning from the circumstances you find yourself in.

7. Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

This is a wonderful promise to hold on to in times of despair, and when it seems that absolutely nothing is going right. If you have a calling, if you are living with love and seeking God and the Kingdom first, rest assured that everything has a purpose. Nothing will happen to you by accident, and so you can find joy, satisfaction, peace and contentment no matter what.

8. Romans 8:1-39 – [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (Read More…)

Who doesn’t struggle with condemnation time after time? Even in church, or amongst other Christians, itßs easy to compare your lifestyle and especially your mistakes with others. But this is thinking in matters of the flesh—definitely not the spirit. In this verse, Paul is admonishing the Christians in Rome—a capital where the flesh was celebrated, and pursuits of the flesh were a daily preoccupation. He cautions them to walk after the Spirit, focusing on the joys that are not just fleeting; the hope that is eternal.

9. Romans 14:17 – For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Again, Paul is addressing the Christians who lived in worldly Rome, and must have come in contact with those who lived for “meat and drink” on a daily basis. He is not saying to do without meat and drink altogether, he is simply reminding them that it shouldn’t be top priority. Rather, peace and joy of the Spirit—the gifts we are blessed to receive and give freely.

10. Psalms 16:9 – Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

When your heart is glad, your flesh can rest. You can sleep soundly, knowing that God is in control. He is the One who brings real Peace, Happiness, and the Joy that we must seek to help others know, too.

Happiness is a huge topic. The Bible talks a lot of different states of happiness we as Christians can have in our hearts, always. In this day and age, everything on the news seems depressing; the political state, our security and safety, our finances…

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with everything, take time out to focus on the simple joys, instead. When attending church, find the one that lifts your spirit, where you are surrounded by positive folks, who can help you on the journey to joy every day.

Preaching is the time-honored practice of delivering the divine word of God to the public. When done well, a preacher is often capable of bringing about transformational change to the life of people. Good sermons provide solid takeaways for the listener that is emotionally impactful through a lasting effect on the soul.

The act of preaching is a personal engagement that inspires society and fosters long-term relationships among diverse members within the church community. However, preaching is not simply public speaking, there is a unique set of skills required for effective preaching.

Charisma and faith are just two values possessed by the seasoned preacher that determine the strength of a message being delivered in front of a church audience.

Always Begin with Prayer

All sermons are conducted through the grace of God. Begin each session by communicating with the divine, so the Holy Spirit may intercede in your delivery. Jesus, the only son of God would often pray for guidance. “Yet he frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.” (Luke 5:16)

As you communicate with God, ask for blessing, be grateful for the opportunity of preaching the good word and receive the clarity of mind required for your sermon.

John Owen said it best when he mentioned, “a sermon is made not with an eye upon the sermon but with both eyes upon the people and all the heart upon God”

An Impactful Opener

An opener will decide the flow of your sermon and affect the reaction of your audience.

Exegesis is a critical aspect of preaching, but people are uninterested in hearing the same thing repeatedly. Limit the use of church jargon to deliver the eternal words of the Bible in digestible interpretations.

Modern churchgoers have shorter attention spans compared to previous generations. Bored members may log onto social media or play games on their handheld devices. Prevent this, by starting strong and always meaning every word you preach.

There are some ways to achieve this. You could make an attention-grabbing statement like “the Devil is always there to tempt us” or describe scenes in the Bible, such as the stations of the cross or the tragic story of Lot, which are known to evoke strong human emotions.

Another powerful way to engage your crowd through poignant questions. “If God is so great, why are there cancer-stricken children?” These questions will make your audience pause, take notice & reflect. The question will make people ponder over their faith. This also encourages them to tap into their hearts in search of their own answers. The strongest of faith are constantly challenged, like a sword on a whetstone.

Humor is another effective tool when opening a sermon. Tell a light-hearted joke, then link its content to the underlying message of your sermon. Humor will create a comfortable ambiance for your audience. Laughter after all, soothes the soul.

Lastly, everyone likes an interesting story. Share an entertaining tale with deep meaning and perhaps even a plot twist. The crowd loves hearing about scenarios different from their routine lives and discover how God can act through various situations.

A strategic opener will outline the mood and theme of your entire sermon. As Philip Brooks once shared, “preaching is the communication of the Gospel through the personality of the preacher.” So, it is essential to let your energy show right from your first sentence.

 Preparation is Key

Preachers must always stay committed to the cause. Deliver each sermon with great preparation. 1Thessalonians 5:6 reminds us: “so then let us not rest as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober. “

Some speakers spend hours, days and weeks planning for the perfect sermon. Prepare notes, graphics and everything else that can support you in your delivery.

Research, research and more research. There are two approaches to this. You could either select the specific biblical quotes and constructing your message from there or decide on a theme and seek the most suitable biblical statements to reinforce your message.

Revise your sermons multiple times before the day of delivery. Some pastors spend most of their effort on a single sermon in a month. This in no way suggests that the rest of their sessions are lackluster or rushed. It simply means that they prepare for a “main event” where they invest themselves in delivering the most powerful message while the other sermons are either edited versions of earlier sessions or rehearsals for their “main event”.

Pace yourself when rehearsing your sermons. For more loquacious speakers, it is often tempting to go on for as long as possible but there is a limited time in a church service. Stick to a consistent duration such as 25-30 minutes and condense all information to fit your time slot. Summarize points if necessary, keep the most powerful hooks and eliminate the excess details that might muddle your message.

Flowcharts are effective tools in ensuring that you are on cue at any point during the sermon. Apply anchor words that redirect you to the main message, which prevents digression. Insert the aptest biblical quotes in segments where they will leave the greatest impression.

Quoting the most fitting phrases from the Bible by rote is extremely useful when it comes down to preaching. But this does not happen overnight. Through constant research and sermon preparations, preachers can mentally generate a cascade of quotes from a single keyword.

Gather feedback from those people around you. Ask if your audience feels that your message is effectively driven across and ask them for their honest opinion and constructive critiques for your sermon. You may discuss the sermon with your partner, children, or even the friendly grocer from your local neighborhood. Their feedback serves as a sample of the response you will receive from the congregation. By accumulating more quality feedback, you can fine-tune the technique that works best.

Speak Naturally

All preachers should discover their unique inner voice. This process may take a while, but constant practice will get you there.

Start by modeling and emulating the style of your favorite preachers. Take pointers from the most successful names out there. Cherry-pick the most attractive qualities in each speaker and combine them to form the foundation of your unique voice.

The late Billy Graham is considered one of the greatest preachers of all time because of his unique unaffected style. He would appear as a calm fatherly figure. Yet, when he stood at the pulpit, he spoke with unmatched fervor and authority. It was this unique personality that moved generations of people to believe in the power of Christ.

Always remember that churchgoers decided to attend your sermons to be spiritually inspired. These folks could have prayed in the privacy of their own homes, but they chose to visit the house of God to benefit from the energy in your voice. Converse with them as you would with your closest friends and loved ones. You can perform the perfect delivery only by staying true to yourself.

Some speakers might get caught up with biblical jargon, quotes and other technical details, but preaching is never a restrictive process. And preaching is not about showing off how much you know about the Bible.

Preaching is about opening your heart and mind to the blessed Holy Spirit. Let it work wonders through you. You are here to make a positive impact on the lives of those who are ready to listen.

Dip into the reservoirs of knowledge from every aspect of your life. Recount the stories of your neighbors, examine the lyrics of your favorite songs or share something interesting that you read in the morning papers. Any information can be examined for something useful in your delivery.

Everything you have ever known can be linked back to the great handbook of life, the Bible. The scriptures say, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

Real-life issues create empathy among your listeners, they can feel where you are coming from. They will relate to the times they faced something similar and understand the context better. Biblical context infuses your words with the power of faith, which amplifies the messages that you deliver.

Create engaging sermons by leading your audiences to the intersection between real-life issues and biblical context, where spirit meets the body as embodied by Christ.

Lastly, implement a call-to-action at the end of every sermon. All effective communicators require much from their audience. Preaching may seem like a monologue but in truth, the practice is a two-way street. Propositional sermons are more memorable and allow congregations to live out what they have learned, spreading the word of God beyond the gates of the church.

Applying Technology

Technology can enhance the delivery of your sermons. Play video snippets related to a topic to provide a visual presentation of your subject. You may also include meaningful music and soundtracks to create an immersive experience. Challenge boundaries by using non-religious music for a fresher perspective. Any medium can be interpreted through the works of God.

When sharing about the sacred act of baptism, use vibrant images of world rivers and stills taken from classic biblical movies, talk about Christ’s own experience at the River Jordan with John the Baptist. Mention about the essence of water as a source of all life.

Pair your messages with vivid illustrations that add color, vibrancy, and shapes to your subject.

But remember, these tools are only there to supplement your sermons so be sure to use them sparingly. Your message should remain the key objective, do not depend too much on technology.

Be Genuine to the Cause

Jesus was an exceptional speaker because he was fully devoted to his plan for salvation. There were no second thoughts, no vacillations or doubts in his words or actions. He had an unwavering attitude toward fulfilling his destiny. Similarly, all respected preachers should always believe in the things that they say – from the tiniest blessings up to the most solemn oaths.

It is meaningless and counter-intuitive to deceive a crowd with pretense because true religion is all about trust in the good word of the Lord. A contrived speech can be easily detected by the faithful crowd. This compromises the integrity of the speaker, which loses the respect and support of his communities.

Faith is indispensable when it comes down to the art of preaching. Without an unquestionable belief in goodness, the message will lack substance.

The faith of the preacher must be pure of intention. There should be no monetary gain or other ulterior motive attached to the words of a preacher. Genuine faith is directed by kindness and tolerance, which naturally translates into compelling words of grace.

In the Bible, a man by the name of Simon Magus attempted to purchase the power of God in Samaria, upon witnessing the miraculous spiritual powers acted through the disciples Peter & John.

Peter reacted strongly to the misguided intentions of Simon. (Acts 8:20-21) Peter answered: “May your money perish with you because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry because your heart is not right before God.

All preachers must remind themselves to stay humble and sincere in their daily devotion. This mindset preserves a clarity of mind to achieve the highest quality of preaching, unburdened by extraneous forces.

Optimal Health

A healthy preacher is an effective representation of Christ. Therefore, it is vital to get enough rest, eat well and exercise regularly. By preserving a healthy body, mind, and spirit, you will be able to better convey the word of God as a shining example to your church.

Proverbs 3:5-8 teaches us to steer clear from the harms of evil, so God may keep us healthy and strong. Listening to our inner needs will prevent us from abusing our bodies so God can act through us.

Pastor burnout is a real phenomenon that affects hundreds of speakers. The grind from week to week through sermon preparation and presentation can take a huge toll on the body and mind.

When necessary, go for a short vacation, commune with God through the serene beauty of nature or spend time winding down with the family. Once you are fully recharged, you will deliver your sermons with more enthusiasm and conviction. Your congregation will thank you for it and they will notice the efforts you take in keeping yourself in top shape for your mission.

Quality preaching will take time but by integrating some of the steps above, you can improve the connection between you and your congregation. The ideal sermon will encourage your audiences to lean in and listen to the heart of your message.

Go forth, keep preaching and always be comforted by the unlimited power of God.

Online giving dominates as the most common way to tithe in churches across the US. Churches do still pass around the offering basket. But they've found quite a bit of success with the features donation software offers. Easytithe has its own standout set of features. They make fundraising and tithing accessible to any church. Check out the features here, and see how it fits for you. But before you decide, there’s an alternative you should know about too.

Ways to Give

With Easytithe, there are four major ways to give. Four options keep everything less confusing for the people giving. More than that and things get tricky to follow. But in churches using their software, Easytithe boasts an increase in giving. All those donations come through these avenues.

Mobile App

The Easytithe mobile app is the first mode of online donations. The most notable feature for the app is the option for recurring giving. Members can log in and choose an automatic giving amount each week or month.

Text Giving

If your church adds the text giving feature, your members can give through SMS. Your church will be assigned a phone number the members can text an amount to. The transaction gets taken care of after they send the text.

Kiosk

This style of giving is based on the booth method. Your church would need their specific hardware to set this option up. Members and parents can come and fill out a form in the kiosk, and give a donation that way. Or you could use it for registration for events like VBS or a symposium. Or even a mission trip.

Facebook

Easytithe also connect through Facebook. If your church members have a large presence on the Facebook page, there’s a way for them to click and give on it.

Prices and What's What

Now it’s time you learn the more specific features and what it costs to have access to them.

Features

First, you should know a little more about the features you might soon be paying for. Including what types of transactions they accept, and limitations. And what it’s actually like to use Easytithe software.

Along with that recurring option, Easytithe has a button for an optional donor bump to cover fees. You can set it up to pop up as an optional bonus of two or three percent. That makes it so the donor has the option to cover transaction fees, rather than the church.

Forms of accepted payment are debit, credit, and AHC. Multiple payment methods can be stored for member convenience.

Easytithe also offers some branding support. They allow some customization on your pages to help promote your church’s brand. And you can build different pages for different campuses.

As your church grows, Easytithe supports you with data management as well. They track, secure, and report every ounce of data through the company’s team and data center.

They don't charge for unlimited users in the database. The thing they do charge for is access to all those features in the first place.

Price

The prices cause quite the ripple in the monthly bill for EasyTithe. Pricing ranges from free to almost 50 bucks a month plus transaction fees. Before signing up for anything, you might want to figure out the exact options for what you can afford.

Text

There are multiple package options for what’s available. In all of them, the text feature remains a bonus. It means you pay a small premium to use it no matter what. The charge for texting is 5 dollars a month to add on.

Kiosk

The kiosk hardware must be purchased, and the price for that is unknown. But having it available to use is an extra 19 dollars a month whether you use it or not. It is an optional add-on, and not required.

Security

The security for your financials does have a cost. Easytithe weigh that out at 10 dollars a month to handle and process all your data.

Plans

Though the prices above are set in stone, the transaction fees aren’t. They vary based on the plan your church pays for.

The free plan transaction fee is 3 percent plus a flat 39 cents. The AHC fee for that is 1 percent plus 39 cents. They still do have a monthly minimum of 10 dollars for the free plan ironically. That’s to cover security.

The next option for plans has a cost of 29 dollars per month. The transaction fee within it is 2.6 percent plus 39 cents. The AHC fee is .75 percent plus 39 cents.

Another bump up for a plan brings the monthly cost to 49 dollars each month. The transaction fee lowers to 2.09 percent plus a 39 cent flat fee. But their site notes that it’s tiered, which means the price changes.

The last plan they have is a high volume plan. It's available only to those bringing in more than 25k per month. The base transaction fee lists as custom and the AHC is the same as the previous.

The final price point you should take note of is another optional addition. They pair a one-stop-shop feature through an app called Ministry One. It's an extra 39 dollars each month.

Before You Go

Before you go off and start using Easytithe, you need to know about an alternative option. One that will knock your socks off. NewFire Giving.

NewFire Giving

NewFire’s solid features make it highly competitive as a choice for giving software. They share all the features of an app, website, kiosk, and text to give. But along with the accepted payments above, NewFire Giving also accepts Apple Pay.

In their reporting, they also provide a donation statement for your and member tax forms.

But the real leg up they have to offer is a resource more hands-on than any other giving software out there. Ignite Coaching teaches churches how to effectively rev up donations with the software.

Their stats include a 42 percent increase in likelihood to give recurring donations. It means a member giving somewhere around 1200 gives closer to 1800.

That stat comes from the NewFire Giving website here. You'll find it alongside their three customized program plans.

The Decision

Both programs offer similar features. Each has text to give, an app, online giving, and kiosk options. But NewFire Giving includes Apple Pay and exclusive coaching modules. That sets them apart. So you might want to set up a call and check it out.

Click here to book one.

Outreach is one of the biggest challenges a small church faces. Its primary purpose is to share the message of Jesus through engagement. That engagement is what builds relationships and makes the connections that bring others to worship or inspires them to tithe online.

Today, there are more ways than ever to communicate the message of love and grace. Why limit the church to old school word of mouth, though. Instead, expand your reach by creating an online presence that should include social media marketing.

It’s not easy to think of a church as an organization that needs marketing strategies but how else can you grow as a congregation? At last count, 69 percent of people in this country use Facebook — that’s seven out of 10 adults according to Pew Research.

The Unique Benefits of Facebook Ads

Businesses are expected to spend a whopping 25.56 billion dollars on digital marketing this year and 93 percent of companies that advertise through social media use Facebook. All this data tells you one thing — there is value found in creating Facebook ads.

Despite all the changes Facebook has made to its platform, it still offers more ways to engage than any other social media site. When your church places a Facebook ad, the platform can use an algorithm to decide where to put it for the best exposure. For example:

• Desktop newsfeed
• Mobile newsfeed
• Right column
• Facebook instant articles
• Audience network to extend the ad to other areas of the internet

The church can also take complete control of who sees the ad if they prefer.

The ad manager provides data that allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of the ads compared to other online options like posts on a Facebook page, Youtube channels or blogs.

Scalability

As the church grows it can continue to increase its online presence by adding more ads. A small church might invest 25 dollars in its first ad campaign but grow enough to double the budget for the next one. By the time the third campaign rolls out, online ads may pay for themselves.

Compare the cost to what you would spend on printing flyers or buying print ad space to get the word out. Online ads add stability to your outreach effort. There is no chance your viewer will throw away your online ad without reading it.

Creating an Ad Campaign Strategy

Small churches can break their campaign strategy down into three digestible steps.

1. What’s the purpose of the ad?

A good place to start is to figure out how you want to use Facebook ads. Ideally, the church should reserve these ads to promote something other than itself. Promoting the church should always be secondary.

Instead, you want to get the news out about:

• A special event
• A new study topic
• A new blog post
• An inspiring video
• A meaningful piece of scripture

You are not trying to sell the church but looking to build relationships and to make connections. To do that, you must offer something engaging. The people the ad connects with will not be on Facebook to find a new church so the topic needs to focus on something else to get their attention.

2. Who’s the ad for?

Facebook ads run on targeted demographics. Your ad can address Christians in your city and county, for example. Specificity is the point of using Facebook ads.

What age group is best suited for the event or focus of the ad? Young couples will be more interested in parenting classes than seniors. Educated readers will connect with scripture or study topics.

Facebook allows you to target the ad by:

• Age
• The audiences’ interests like hobbies, family, Christianity, Entertainment
• Connections to groups, apps, pages — Facebook’s Audience Insights is a free tool that helps find those connections
• Relationship status
• Education
• Workplace or industry

3. How much can the church spend on the campaign?

One of the perks of Facebook ads is the strict budget management tools. Facebook offers two payment levels:

• Cost per 1.000 times displayed (CPM)
• Cost per click (CPC)

The most economical is the CPC. Charges are directly linked to clicks — no clicks, no charge.

3. Measure the Effectiveness of a Facebook Ad

This is an important and often overlooked component of an ad strategy. How can you figure out how well an ad produces?

There are a couple of options. Facebook does provide metrics that will give you some indication in their ad manager. They can be confusing, though.

Facebook can also equip you with offsite pixels to help track the effectiveness of the ad. The pixel is a bit of code you place on the church's web pages or an event page. When a visitor goes to a page after viewing an ad, it will appear on the ad manager as a traced conversion.

Another approach is to ask new visitors to the church or the church's website if they saw the ad. Add a section on the connection card to allow visitors to say how they found the church or learned about an event and list Facebook ads as one of the options.

Tips for Ad Success

Creating Facebook ads that get attention takes some practice. Here are some tips to help get you there.

1. Make ads visual

Imagery is everything in social media. Visual content is by far the most engaging, so the ad should have some kind of graphic. It can be an illustration that gets a laugh, a picture of people in the church worshiping and enjoying fellowship or a profile picture spotlighting a leadership member. You can use symbolism, too, such as a crowd singing for a concert event or a cross for Easter celebration.

Use videos for a more personal touch. A video of the church leader talking about a near and dear subject or a parishioner getting excited about an event will bring the ad down to a more intimate level.

2. Look at other church ads

Look at the ads from other churches for inspiration. You can checkout larger regional congregations and look at small churches in your area, too.

3. Keep it short and sweet

You want the audience to connect with a glance, so make the message clear in just a few compelling words. As a general rule, Facebook insists the ad has less than 20 percent text. Remember, online ads are a visual medium.

4. Test multiple designs

Don’t create one ad, create at least four for the same event or topic and run them all. It’s not as hard as it sounds. Swap out images or use different fonts and wording. The goal is to see what design pops best, so you learn more about your audience.

5. Add a brief call to action (CTA)

A CTA is an encouragement to make contact with a link such as:

• Click to learn more about Paster Bob
• Subscribe to our church newsletter
• Find out about our next service

CTAS give the reader a sense of balance.

Facebook wants churches to take advantage of their community pages and groups but they have limited reach by design. It’s necessary to invest in their paid marketing to reach through those limitations to find others that might be looking for fellowship.

Delivering a sermon, especially if you have never done it before, can feel daunting. Of course, speaking in front of a congregation (or any public speaking) scary. However, it can also feel like there is added pressure during a sermon. That's because you're being called to deliver words that are relevant, meaningful, profound—but also engaging. If you are new to sermon-writing, but you are planning to give a talk to a congregation soon, the following guide may help. The easy step-by-step instructions can help break down and simplify the process of writing a sermon. Follow them, get your talk written, then practice your delivery. In no time you'll be used to delivering words that move congregants and teach important lessons.

Get to Know the Passage You'll Be Focusing Your Sermon On

Once you know what passage your sermon will be on, get to know that passage well. Spend some time sitting with the passage, reading it both to yourself and out loud. Reading the passage silently and aloud can help you get familiar with it, internalize it, and understand what it means to you. Don't just spend time with the passage, though. You may consider reading the entire book of the Bible that the passage comes from. That way you can fully understand its context and its greater meaning in the larger arc of the Bible.

Do Some Outside Reading

Once you have explored the passage yourself, see what other thinkers and experts have to say about it. There are lots of places to find Biblical commentary to inform your sermon. You can rely on resources like books, publications like Christianity Today, or even other ministers you have access to. Getting other people's perspectives on the meaning of the passage can flesh yours out and make it richer.

Think About the Congregation or Audience

Think about who you are going to be delivering your sermon to. It's important to think about who will be taking in your words when you choose the angle of your sermon. After all, preaching to a youth group will be a very different experience than delivering a sermon to the entire congregation. Think about the knowledge level of your listeners, as well as their life experience. Also consider what types of topics and stories keep them engaged, and what lessons are most important for them to take away from the sermon. This will help you frame the message in your sermon and make sure you're choosing the right tone and language as you write.

Make Connections Between Life Today and the Passage

One of the keys to a sermon that moves is connecting its content or message to life today. While written in Biblical times, the Bible's words still serve to guide our lives and behavior today. Try writing a list of scenarios in the modern world to which the passage could apply, or takeaways that make sense in the context of today. This is one of the most important parts of the sermon writing process. It's what makes listening to the sermon meaningful for congregants.

Create the Sermon's Frame and Outline

Once you know what you're going to focus on within the talk (what the takeaway or main idea or lesson is), start working to frame the sermon. While sermons can take on many forms, they should each do three things: explain the passage, show it means in the world today, and then explain its lesson. Ryan Huguley, speaker, podcast host, and lead pastor at Ridgeline Church in Salt Lake City Utah, explains how he frames every sermon he gives to his church: “My outline changes week to week, but with each point I preach I’m seeking to do the same three things: 1) Interpretation 2) Illustration ( 3) Implication – explain what the text is saying, illustrate for clarity, and bring the text to bear on our lives. For me, this is the most difficult step. Once I have this in place the rest is merely discipline.”

Write!

Now is the most tedious part of writing your sermon: writing it. If you've framed and outlined before, this process shouldn't be too difficult. Give some meat to the bones of the sermon, then edit what you've got. Type your sermon out, then print it and practice reading it. Where you stumble or feel unsure when you read it aloud, go back and edit. Once you've read it and edited it, you're ready to deliver it.

Practice Delivering the Sermon

Print your sermon out on note cards. Then, practice reading it as if you were delivering it in church. You can reference your note cards if you need. While you practice delivering it, make notes on the sermon to help you remember things. For example, if you want to emphasize a certain word or phrase, highlight. Or, if you want to do a physical gesture while you speak, notate that in the sermon.

Consider Memorizing the Sermon

You may want to try to commit the sermon to memory. Practice reading the cards over and over and it will help you to commit it to memory as if it is the text of a script for a play. If you are not feeling confident when it comes time to deliver the sermon, you can bring the notecards with you. Try to reference them from time to time as needed, rather than just reading from them.

Deliver the Sermon

If you've followed the steps above, there's a good chance you have prepared an excellent sermon to deliver to your congregation. Once you've practiced it and familiarized yourself with the content and words, you'll be ready to deliver it with confidence and poise. Luckily, the process of writing a sermon is a formula that you can follow again and again. So, once you have written and delivered one, you know how to write another. Which means you can write and give sermons whenever offered the opportunity.

Preparation is the Best Church Security Plan

In this day and age, we can’t take our church security for granted. Preparation will be our best form of defense against any kind of attacks. Proper management and clear communication is the only way to create the best church security plan. Here are ten steps you can take today towards a safer church atmosphere.

1.      Have People Know Their Assigned Roles Beforehand

Identify trained professionals in your church and ask who would like to be on call for security roles. Even before an emergency, everyone should know who is responsible for which role: Some key important ones to define are:

·      Media representatives and spokespersons—Who is talking to the public and media if a security threat arises at national or even international level?

·      Child Care Staff—When an emergency strikes, the children must be the first ones protected.

·      Medical Roles—Who calls 911? Do you have any trained nurses and doctors in your congregation? They may need to be called on for life-and-death situations.

·      Security staff—do you have any police, military, or firemen in your fellowship? They could be of great service during a desperate time.

2.     Run Background Checks on all members and volunteers

Church events, gatherings, and especially outreach projects require a lot of hands-on help. You will be dealing with volunteers you haven’t known before. Make sure there is a background security check in place. This could be by a simple digital platform, a Facebook Group, or just simple forms. People should be registered and their details noted before engaging in any church activities.

Besides being a proper security protocol, background checks also make everyone involved feel safer and more at peace. Isn’t that an important goal to have when welcoming folks to church?

3.     Develop emergency scripts to be read during services when needed

Remember that your congregation is already looking to the pastor for guidance. No doubt, he or she will be their first source of stability in an emergency. If that emergency occurs during a meeting or service, how well-prepared are your pastors to handle it? It’s natural to expect that there will be an instant shock, and they may be at loss for words. This is when a scripted text could indeed save lives.

The ideal emergency script your pastoral team can prepare should do these main things:

·      Convey the urgency

·      Assuage panic or fear

·      Communicate the best safety measures to take immediately

·      Guide people on what physical steps to take, which rooms or exits to go, etc.

4.     Invest in tools for communication

Two-way radios can be useful where there is no good cellphone signal. If internet is available, you can consider having a Twitter Account or social networks where people can post messages in an emergency, or relay information. Just be sure that this information is also limited to those who can be responsible for spreading proper communication without unnecessary fear or angst.

5.     Always have security cameras installed

Besides two-way radios, you need to be able to detect movement later, after the event of an emergency. Documenting all of this through recorded cameras will also guard you and your church in any legal issues. You will be able to claim legal protection in the case of disputes. Make sure you already have security cameras installed, and that they are working and functioning during all services.

6.     Consider the position of your pastor’s pulpit

Included in the church security plan should be the layout and design of both pastor and congregations’ positions. It’s recommended that pulpits face both the crowds and exit doors. Rather than having the stage or pulpit in the middle of a building, consider positioning them to the side, near an exit or escape room.

7.      Make sure everyone knows exit points

This may be a given, but don’t take it for granted. It’s okay to practice emergency exits just as you would set aside a day in the community to practice fire drills. This gives people the information they need in case of an emergency. If you are putting on any kind of theatrical show and dimming lights, ensure that the exit doors are still lit; that everyone knows where to locate them.

8.     Communicate, Discuss, Develop

Church leadership must always be seeking ways to improve the quality of life for their flock—this extends beyond just spiritual guidance. It includes being open to discussions on physical safety, security, and realistic threats to a church and its members. These are difficult conversations at times, but the day may come when you’ll be grateful there was openness and frankness within your church departments.

9.     Be on the lookout for other sources of disruption

Remember that security issues aren’t limited to the usual ones we hear of in the media: shootings or protests, for example. “Terrorism” is often a blanket-statement used, and one that instills more fear than faith within your congregation.

Where do other more common security issues come from? It can be anywhere, from domestic situations, to mental health issues amongst the youth in your church community, to child custody and legal battles between parents. It’s essential that church leaders don’t overlook these problems.

10.  Don’t forget your joy

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad,” wrote King David. “Let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”(—Psalms 5:11)

We know that King David’s life was in constant danger. But he realized the importance of carrying a spirit of faith and trust in God. Leaders must set the example of strength even during dangerous times. Having a good plan in place will only work if you continue to inspire and uplift your church members. Create a sense of peace and an attitude of joy, and when they come to you for counsel and guidance, they will find it.

Make your church the place to be in times of joy, in times of despair, in times of loneliness, and even times of looming terror. Make it the safe haven where people know they are loved, accepted, and held with support every day of the year.