Before your new church makes a splash with its Grand Opening, you need to run at least 3 church plant preview services. I started learning about preview services before I even got into church planting ministry. Many years ago, I was on staff at a bank as we opened a brand-new branch on the other Read More
What Happens When You Don’t File a Nonprofit Annual Report with Your State
Almost every state has an ongoing nonprofit annual report requirement for nonprofit corporations such as churches. This is business you need to take care of regularly. Or this could happen… Almost every year I get a panicked phone call or email from one of my churches. They’ve gotten a notice that their corporation was suspended Read More
20 Steps to Children’s Ministry Safety for Your Church Plant
Children’s ministry safety in your church plant is serious business. But it doesn’t have to be mysterious. Here are 20 practical steps to stellar children’s ministry safety: No question, Jesus holds children in high regard. I’d say that churches in the US do, too, though we haven’t historically done the best collective job at protecting Read More
4 Tips to Maximize Your Church Plant Fundraising Commitment Card
Your church plant fundraising commitment card is an important tool in the fundraising process. But it’s actually pretty easy to use it wrong and shoot yourself in the foot. I’ve seen planters use a church plant fundraising commitment card well. And I’ve seen some wonder why they’re getting such a low response. Here are 4 Read More
11 Church Plant Health Insurance Options (yes, eleven!)
Turns out there are lots of church plant health insurance options. It’s still a little complicated, but you have more options than ever to choose from. Here’s an overview as a springboard to your research. If you’re a new church hiring staff or an established church that’s never offered health insurance before, you have two Read More
6 Things NOT to Do Just Before Your Church Plant Launch
The time just before your church plant launch can be an exciting but stressful time. So why would you want to pile up more stress on top? I’ve seen church planters weather some tough life events in the first few years of a church plant. I think some of the hardest are those less than Read More
3 Ways to Help Your Grand Opening Well-Wishers Help You
Your Launch Sunday attendance will be inflated by grand opening well-wishers. That can be good and bad at the same time. Here are some ideas to maximize the good and minimize the bad. Many churches experience a spike in attendance at their inaugural public worship gathering. Which can be exciting! But then the following Sunday, Read More
Use this Free App to Scan Business Cards with Your Smartphone
Save a ton of time and data entry when you scan business cards with your smartphone. Your new friend’s contact info goes straight from their card into your address book. As pastors and church planters, you should be out in your community meeting with civic leaders and community influencers. Imagine a successful week of meeting Read More
How to Mail Automated Thank You Notes for Guest Followup
Did you know automated thank you notes were a thing? I’d heard rumor that there was a business that would print and mail them for you. I was not prepared for what I found out. Turns out, there’s a whole industry that has sprung up around doing small batch mailings for you. Without your ever Read More
How to Look Up Mobile Carriers so Your Church Software Works
Ever notice that your church management software asks for your people’s mobile number and their carrier? Here’s why they do that and how you can look up mobile carriers to get past the roadblock. Has this happened to you? You build your guest followup system in your church management software. It includes emailing or texting Read More
