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the-pros-and-cons-of-family-services-for-easter

The Pros and Cons of Family Services for Easter

Resurrection Sunday is one of the most significant events in the Christian calendar, drawing families and individuals to churches around the world. When planning Easter church services, one important consideration is whether to offer family-friendly services with limited or no childcare options. While such services can create opportunities for families to worship together, they also present challe...

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choosing-the-right-church-management-software

Choosing the Right Church Management Software

Church management software (ChMS) has become an essential tool for church administrators striving for efficiency and organization. The right software can streamline operations, enhance communication, and foster better engagement within the congregation. However, with numerous options available, it’s crucial to understand the key considerations before making a decision. Here’s what church admin...

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Fun-and-Effective-Childrens-Ministry-Volunteer-Training

Fun and Effective Children’s Ministry Volunteer Training

Every children’s pastor wants to see their volunteers feel confident, equipped, and excited about serving in kids’ ministry. A well-planned training seminar can make all the difference by providing practical tools, fostering relationships, and infusing fresh energy into your team. Below are seven tips to help you create a memorable and impactful volunteer training event. ...

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building-a-music-team-sustainably

Building a Music Team Sustainably

As a music director in a small church, you may find yourself inspired—and perhaps a bit overwhelmed—by the incredible worship teams showcased by large churches. Their polished sound, expansive resources, and professional production can set a high bar. But here’s the truth: your church’s music team doesn’t need to look or sound like those big churches to make a meaningful impact. ...

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a-pastors-guide-to-effective-sunday-morning-huddles

A Pastor’s Guide to Effective Sunday Morning Huddles

Conducting a successful Sunday morning service week after week requires intentional planning and coordination of numerous volunteers. With so many moving parts and on such a tight timeline, holding a Sunday morning huddle is a great tool for setting the morning off on the right foot. A huddle is a dedicated time before the service where volunteers come together to prepare, connect, and align their...

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how-to-engage-volunteers-for-one-time-projects

How to Engage Volunteers for One-Time Projects

In the life of a vibrant church community, there are often special, one-time projects that require the energy and dedication of volunteers. Whether it's setting up for a special event, lending a hand at Vacation Bible School (VBS), or participating in a community service excursion, these projects, though not recurring, are important parts for fostering community engagement and spreading goodwill b...

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how-to-structure-a-newcomers-class-for-church-membership

How To Structure a Newcomers Class for Church Membership

Every church congregant goes through certain phases— first, they may just be visiting. If they stick around, they’ll probably attend casually and anonymously for a while. After a little bit, as they feel more belonging and investment in your community, it’s important to give these newcomers the opportunity to take a more concrete step in becoming an active participant in and member of the co...

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exciting-trends-in-kids-ministry-for-2024

Exciting Trends in Kids Ministry for 2024

As we step into 2024, the landscape of kids ministry continues to evolve, driven by innovation, changing societal norms, and the ever-growing need for engaging and impactful experiences for children. Here are some of the most notable trends shaping kids ministry in 2024 to give you insight and inspiration for how to nurture the spiritual growth in your children’s ministry in this new year. Di...

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7-creative-ideas-for-approaching-church-small-groups

7 Creative Ideas for Approaching Church Small Groups

Small groups play a vital role in fostering community, deepening spiritual connections, and providing support within a church family. It’s easy for churches to fall into a rhythm with groups, offering the same recurring studies and breakouts based on age and gender. While there’s nothing wrong with consistency— especially if it’s serving your community!— your church has the creative oppo...

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7-tips-for-simplifying-your-holiday-calendar

7 Tips for Simplifying Your Holiday Calendar

The holiday season is a special time for the church community, filled with opportunities to connect, celebrate, and share the joy of the season. However, managing the church's holiday calendar can be overwhelming, with the temptation to pack it full of events and activities. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of simplifying your approach to the holidays and focusing on just a couple of ...

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how-to-build-a-strong-teaching-team-at-your-church

How to Build a Strong Teaching Team at Your Church

Does your church need a teaching team? In many churches, the role of teaching and preaching often falls on a single individual, typically the pastor. While this tradition has its merits, there are numerous benefits to building a church teaching team. A teaching team can bring diversity, depth, and a broader range of perspectives to the pulpit. It also allows for pastors to lean into their gifts a...

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best-practices-for-changing-lyric-slides

Best Practices for Changing Lyric Slides

When executing services and events at your church, the onscreen presentation is a huge part of your congregation’s experience. When it comes to slides with lyrics, going unnoticed is the goal. If an attender is thinking about when the slides change, it’s likely because they’re too early or too late. In that case, they serve to distract from the experience rather than enhance it. Here are...

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help-students-transition-from-middle-school-to-high-school

Help Students Transition from Middle School to High School

The transition from middle school to high school is an exciting yet challenging time for students. As a youth pastor, you have a unique opportunity to help make this transition smoother for young individuals who are navigating significant changes in their lives. By providing support, guidance, and a nurturing environment, you can help them thrive during this crucial period of their spiritual and p...

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plan-a-church-picnic-that-meets-everyones-dietary-needs

Plan a Church Picnic That Meets Everyone’s Dietary Needs

With warmer weather and longer days, Summer is the perfect time to take your community events outdoors. Outdoor potlucks and picnics are a fantastic way to gather as a community; there’s food to share, wide open spaces for the kids to run around, and minimal prep and clean up required. Chances are, however, there are people in your congregation with dietary restrictions that sometimes make it ha...

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Practical Tips for Training Your VBS Volunteers

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is an exciting time of the year for many children and their families. As a children's pastor, it can feel like a lot of pressure to ensure that VBS runs smoothly and to craft a meaningful experience for everyone involved. One of the key components of a successful VBS is a well-trained group of volunteers. Here are some tips on how to best train your volunteers for VBS: ...

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3-low-cost-and-cost-free-ways-to-make-your-church-coffee-better

3 Low-Cost and Cost-Free Ways to Make Your Church Coffee Better

Let's face it. The term "church coffee" is basically synonymous with terrible coffee. When you think about church coffee, you probably picture coffee that's too weak, too burnt, and just plain tastes bad. There are exceptions to this. I've been to several churches that have a bit more of a coffee-centric atmosphere in the lobby with a coffee shop, some going as far as making pour overs and espress...

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7-ways-to-follow-up-with-first-time-easter-visitors

7 ways to Follow up with First-Time Easter Visitors

On Easter Sunday, it’s likely you saw many new faces join you for worship. Did you know that more people in the United States conduct an online search for “church” around Easter than at any other time, even Christmas? Easter is a fantastic opportunity to connect with members of your community that aren’t yet plugged into a church home. You shouldn't have to wait until next year to see thes...

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Talking to Youth Leader Volunteers About Boundaries

Youth ministry is designed to be a safe and nurturing space for students to encounter God, discover themselves, and develop meaningful friendships. These years are formative, the environment is fun, wholesome, and sacred. One of the most important relationships young people have are with trusted, supportive adults. Data from the National Survey of Children’s Health shows that “having one o...

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low-cost-ways-to-honor-your-worship-team-members

Low Cost Ways to Honor Your Worship Team Members

Churches often work on tight budgets, so it can be difficult to find ways to thank and honor your worship team volunteers. However, there are plenty of low cost, high impact ways to show your appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective and budget-friendly ways to honor your worship team volunteers. As a quick caveat, most of the suggestions in...

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how-to-reduce-church-staff-and-volunteer-turnover

How to Reduce Staff and Volunteer Turnover

When you’re trying to develop a solid culture and further the mission of your church, losing staff and volunteers in droves can be Demoralizing. Not only is it frustrating, but it costs you time, money, and productivity that sets everyone back. Before we talk about strategies for retaining and developing your people, it’s important to understand the reasons why people leave in the first pl...

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