ChurchBusinessHelp.com Blog

Growing Your Church Into A New Building

Administrator — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:57:37 +0000

Planning to acquire a building usually arises out of the need to expand because your congregation is growing. If you plan to get a loan then make sure you start to keep adequate membership and attendance records. Lenders typically want to evaluate a few years worth of data. This doesn’t even require fancy software; you can actually start out by using an Excel Spreadsheet. Some quick tips:

Membership Records

1. Keep an active list of members by creating a system to add members to the list as they join

2. Separate adult members from children

3. Update the list at least annually.

Attendance Records

1. Track attendance at all services by doing rough counts

2. Create a log of members that give by entering the information from the offering envelopes onto a spreadsheet for each service.

3. You can determine the average number of people that give by counting giving statements that are sent out each year for taxes.

Tips for Communicating the Vision of Your Ministry

Administrator — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:21:15 +0000

As leaders of a church it is important to periodically communicate the vision of your ministry to the staff, auxillaries, and the congregation. Sharing the vision and including the general body in developing ways to achieve it is a good way to keep things moving in a positive direction. It also helps to motivate and get people behind it.

Some tips for communicating the vision are:

1. Explain the vision in detail to the staff, board, and ministry leaders. Allow them to participate in drafting a strategic plan for achieving the vision including setting goals and assigning action items for individuals to complete. Conduct follow up meetings to check progress, to get feed back and to make necessary adjustments. (Note - follow up meetings are critical because if you don’t keep the momentum going then people will loose interest).

2. Have your ministry leaders periodically speak to their ministry team members about the vision and communicate how their ministry plays an important role in achieving the vision.

3. Have the church vision printed and included in the new members and visitors packets.

4. Include your vision in the church bulletins.

5. Plan to talk to your congregation about your vision on a periodic basis. For example, select a sunday service each quarter to speak about the vision and provide updates of the progress that the church is making.

6. Print and post your vision inside the church in strategic locations so that people can see it. You want them to get in on the “inside.”

7. Send out letters to the entire congregation reminding them about your vision and encourage them to get involved. You can also send out emails or newsletters.

8. Be consistent in your communications - this will let people know that you are serious and committed to the vision.

Remember, you have to be the biggest cheerleader for your vision. The best way to do that is to communicate often. Get people excited about your ministry and what you are trying to do.

Investment Options for Churches

Administrator — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:52:30 +0000

Christian Community Credit Union has a promotion for deposit certificates (CDs) for churches called a Church Builder Certificate which offers a pretty good rate. Here is the link http://www.mycccu.com/ministry/

Saving a Down Payment For A Purchase

Administrator — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:04:12 +0000

I talk to churches all the time that are interested in purchasing a new sanctuary to hold services. In my conversations with the pastors many do not know what is required to successfully purchase a building and unfortunately several are unrealistic in their expectations. To purchase a building the church needs to have at least 20% - 30% of their own funds. Church lenders want to see that the church has saved this cash as their contribution towards the purchase. If a church wants to purchase a building that costs $500,000, the church needs between $100,000 - $150,000 for a down payment. That will be in addition to enough funds for closing.

Welcome to ChurchBusinessHelp.com

Administrator — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:50:03 +0000

If you are reading this then you are amongst some of the first to visit my blog. I have great plans for this blog - I hope that it will be a blessing to all that read. My goal is to bring useful and educational information to churches and ministries. Tips and resources related to administration and finance. So, please post comments and feel free to give suggestions.

God Bless,

Annena