Learn how to plan a successful Vacation Bible School for 2025 with our guide on the latest VBS themes, planning tips, and technology integration.
Bring the teachings of Jesus to life for kids with our guide to children’s songs about Jesus, perfect for Sunday school and daily worship.
Discover a variety of fun Bible games that make learning Scripture engaging and enjoyable for kids. Perfect for Sunday schools and home teaching!
Discover how integrating technology can transform teaching 'The Lord's Prayer' to children, making it engaging and accessible.
Learn how to prioritize your spiritual growth, your team, and your ministry responsibilities in a harmonious way to shape impactful services.
Transform your spiritual journey by infusing Christian music into your prayer sessions. Explore how songs can enhance your connection with God and enrich your faith.
Discover unique, thoughtful, and personalized pastor gifts sure to make them feel appreciated and loved.
No matter the size, denomination, or stage of growth your church is in, chances are you rely heavily on volunteers to make your church’s programs, services and events come together with ease.
In this post, we'll discuss some of the most effective ways to use technology to make your church more efficient. We'll also provide some specific examples of how other churches have used technology to improve their operations.
Back-to-school, Halloween, and Thanksgiving are all important times of the year for churches. These are times when churches can reach out to their communities and offer support, fellowship, and fun. Digital signage can be a great way for churches to promote their events and activities during these special times of year.
Add some spice to your family teachings of Lent by peppering this sacred time with diverse activities for the family. Keep your kids thinking about Jesus and His sacrifices throughout the Lent period in a way that extends beyond the typical lack of chocolate or sweets. Lent for children may feel complex and confusing—activities with the family breaks it down into bite-sized chunks.
Fellowship is a word that is hard to avoid, whether you are a devoted Christian or someone who has only brushed shoulders with the church. Without fellowship, churches would lack a sense of community, and congregants would struggle to form a collective sense of identity. You might wonder why this matters, but a solid fellowship is essential for a ministry grounded on trust and inclusion.
This Christian songs list, complete with 100 of the most classic religious tunes, will stock up your track list for months to come. Adjust your selection based on the style of your sermon, and bring out a deeper emotional connection amongst your congregation.
The Bible often cites children as gifts from God and blessings to families. Children are a reward and a privilege that require nurturing and guidance to grow into healthy, thriving human beings. Many Bible verses about parenting responsibilities are built on the relationship Jesus has with God and the relationship between God and us.
Churches nationwide are embracing humor by incorporating witty remarks into their church signs, and we can't get enough! These amusing church signs introduce a playful element to the typically solemn undertones associated with ministry messages.
The role of young adults in the church cannot be understated, which is why many ministries focus on keeping them actively participating. Although methods may vary from church to church, engaging younger church members is relatively straightforward.
An essential part of being a good leader is consistently demonstrating the willingness and drive to grow. That’s why Christian leadership training is a must for any ministry—it makes self-development an integral part of your church.
Do you feel called to serve as a children’s pastor? Let me warn you: This calling isn’t for the faint of heart. I’m not saying this because of the nature of the work involved. No, what I’m thinking about is far more serious than that. Serving as a children’s pastor is serving someone playing a pivotal role in the life of children and their families.
Imagine you were visiting your church for the first time. Would you be impressed with how organized the entrance hall is, or would you be discouraged by the ancient-looking furniture in the foyer? Although we hate to admit it, people make snap judgments—and these judgments tend to last.
Incorporating church background images in your worship space enhances the visitor experience. You can have fun with your worship background images and even choose a temporary church background to support your sermon — for example, by using Easter background images.
Are your pews beginning to look a little empty on a Sunday morning? You might need to rethink your marketing strategy. The world has shifted to the online realm, and churches across the country are upping their game to stay relevant and attract growth.
Are you hoping to attract more attendees to your church? This is a common goal, but boosting the participation of your current congregation might be a more pressing issue. Your church may have a sizable membership list, but what does that matter if those members are barely present in your weekly events? Getting your churchgoers involved and active in the church community can be difficult. Our guide to church ideas for branding and engagement can help.
As we wave goodbye to 2023 and start planning goals for the coming year, self-improvement is on the minds of many. Are you ready to take your faith to the next level and fine-tune your skills as a kids minister? Attending a church conference is a must! Add it to your list of New Year’s goals and elevate your ministering skills for you and your community. Keep reading for a complete list of the eight best Christian conferences to participate in this year.
As 2023 rapidly approaches, it’s time to set some resolutions and goals. Want to improve your church tech department? Find out more about modern digital innovations and state-of-the-art technologies at a church technology conference and improve the Sunday mass experience at your place of worship. Gain fantastic insights to ensure your church is up to date with the best church software, audiovisual systems, practical technologies, and beneficial networking with these tech conferences in 2023.
Christmas at church is a busy, bustling, joyful time where you can enjoy the special services, holy celebrations, and festive parties together. Make the most of this sacred time by planning church small group activities alongside the overarching events, saving space to connect more thoughtfully.
Are you ready to expand your reach and attract new families to join your kids' ministry? We have compiled a list of the best church community outreach ideas to encourage newcomers to visit to your church and stick around. You may love your tight-knit community, but imagine everything your church could achieve by reaching more people in nearby neighborhoods!
As much as we love it, Christmas is an exhausting time of year. It can feel like there is no time to breathe, with ample activities to plan, presents to buy, and people to see. With so much going on, it is difficult to think of what to do in that limbo week between Christmas and New Year. But without the proper planning, this week might just disappear.
With this wonderful time of year come endless excuses to celebrate and rejoice. It is a time best spent with family, friends, and of course — the church. Make your community excited to get involved with all you have in store by planning an action-packed program that offers something for everyone.
The importance of building a youth ministry at your church cannot be understated. It is the young people at your church who will make up the next generation of leaders – from pastors to politicians – engaging them in their church and community is a must.
Everyone is included in Thanksgiving, and that is part of the reason why we love it so much. It offers a chance for friends and family to break bread together and join hands over all the beauty that life offers them. Christians know we have God to thank for our blessings, and we must keep Him at the forefront of our celebrations.
Looking to complete all the finishing touches to your holiday event? Quality music resources are a must. Set the scene and help your guests ease into a holiday mood by choosing event background music to help your event flow. Here are 10 of our favorite selections of Christian playlists for holiday events.
Most people look forward to Christmas as a time for family, love, celebrations, and Jesus. But for some people, Christmas is a time of loneliness, despair, and stress. Churches are here to do God’s work on Earth; how is your church helping the community?
When the busy holiday season is here, it feels like time disappears. With one event or another around every corner, making time for God can be impossible, but remembering what the holiday is really about is essential. Stay close to God through regular prayer and carving out moments of calm in the hustle and bustle of Christmas.
For many, Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family, good friends, and even better food. But, on this special day that is all about gratitude and thanks, it’s time to take it back to the basics and remember who we have to thank most of all—Jesus.
Security at church isn’t always a priority. Good people assume the best in others, which can put preparing for risks on the peripheries. But protecting your congregation when they come to worship is essential, so follow these church security tips to put your people first.
A thriving ministry team has room for progression, space for independence, and the support required for growth. Empower leaders to harness their potential in your church by taking their skills to the next level, and help new volunteers fine-tune their skills and become dedicated members of their ministry. But how do you empower team members? By following these eight tips.
Do you look out for the mental well-being of your students? Most would answer “yes” to that question, but unless you actively watch out for the signs, some mental health warning signs will slip through the cracks.
Times of crisis mean all hands on deck and all helpers assembled. Through crisis intervention training, your church could be ready to help, transforming your team of volunteers into an unstoppable force for good. Use this complete guide to ensure you offer church volunteer training that sets your workers up for a lifetime of making a difference.
Noticing the signs of bullying can be difficult, as children will often appear one way to adults and another way to their peers. This can lead well-meaning adults to dismiss warning signs of bullying as a game or joke between friends. People accept an element of playful roughhousing between kids, but when is it too much?
Every church contains a community of people, and each person has their own passions, desires, emotions, and problems. Every church leader dreams of overseeing a ministry where everything runs smoothly, and everyone gets along. But is your church equipped to protect its people when disaster strikes?
Giving people at church a special shoutout is a great way to show your appreciation for all of your congregants. Everybody likes to feel important. And that’s because everybody is important, especially in the eyes of God. If you aren’t sharing member stories at your church, it’s time to start doing it.
October is almost upon us, which means it is nearly time for Pastor Appreciation Month! This exciting time is dedicated to sharing our gratitude for clergy members and pastors, recognizing their relentless efforts for the church. Families and visitors of the church might get a gift for their church leader, but how will the kids of your ministry get involved?
As pastors do the most for our churches and communities, having a day dedicated to their appreciation just makes sense. It’s always a good day to say “thank you” to your pastor or preacher, but this date offers a specific space dedicated to expressing our gratitude.
Pastors are the backbone of our ministries. Their commitment to God and the Bible encourage and inspire so many others, connecting Him with people everywhere. One foolproof way of showing appreciation is with a heartfelt gift to put a smile on their face by letting them know you care. Just like volunteers need to feel appreciated, so do our leaders, and these gift ideas for pastors (including children’s pastors) will help them feel valued.
As the leaves begin to turn their stunning fiery shades, it only means one thing for churches – a fall festival! Choose exciting fall festival ideas for churches to ensure everyone feels joyous at your celebration. Open your church’s doors to families and friends from all corners of your community and enjoy the harvest season together.
The new school year is here, which means new friends to make, opportunities to embrace, and lessons to learn. If you are wondering how to prepare for back to school, you are in the right place. Keep reading for our top ten tips on how to get ready for back-to-school, and give your children the best start possible.
Children with special needs will require special care to feel safe and supported in your ministry environment, but it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Follow these seven tips to get your special needs ministry up to scratch.
Build a healthy church culture at your ministry by putting the people first. Exciting opportunities and rewards are a bonus, but clear roles are a must. Follow these seven guidelines and build an effective and hardworking ministry team.
And 3 Ways To Speak Into the Lives of Your Small Group. Small groups in kids’ ministry offer a safe space for children to develop their faith. Providing a more personal environment allows young minds to explore their relationship with God by asking questions and building camaraderie with their peers.
First impressions are everything. New parents’ initial experiences of your kids’ ministry will make or break their trust in your church. If a family has an average first experience at your ministry, they may never return. But if they have an exceptional one, they may share their positive experiences far and wide with friends, family, or acquaintances.
The way the members of your church interact on your church social media adds up to create your online community. Every church wants its online community to be a vibrant place of love and support, but this isn’t always how it pans out in practice.
Kids’ ministry is far more complex than pointing youngsters in the direction of God, as it encompasses the entire family. Parents are a fundamental part of their children’s development, so you must include them in the very fabric of your ministry.
The holiday season is a time of love, laughter, and joy, but it can also be a time of disarray and chaos. As much as we enjoy them, the festivities can become shrouded in stress if we approach them unprepared. What better time to get prepared for the holiday season than months beforehand?
Meeting the Monday after a Sunday sermon at church offers the chance for reflection on how things went, keeping you guided for the coming week. Conducting regular church evaluation is an essential practice for keeping a close eye on your church culture and maximizing the success of your ministry.
Every church has programs or environments for regular worship. Nowadays, many churches are defined by their programs rather than their vision or mission. It is easy to frame almost any church program to align with your ministry strategy, but keeping it on track and relevant can be difficult. Keeping relevancy at the forefront of your strategizing is essential if you want to maximize your church’s influence in the world.
Your church is a central pillar of the community, as it acts as a safe haven for those seeking refuge and a hub for worship and prayer. As everyone is accepted in the eyes of the Lord, everyone is welcomed through church doors. Partnering with other community leaders will strengthen your church’s role in the community and widen your reach of influence.
Cultivating a thriving church community as it exists behind closed doors is one thing, but how do you extend those connections into the wider community? Ministry is all about helping the needy and spreading the Word of God, which requires partnership with local businesses, schools, NGOs, and more.
Partnership with families has become a buzzword in ministry circles, but making it a reality is far from easy. Most ministries find that working ahead without the parent's involvement is a far more straightforward process, but valuable connections get lost along the way.
Who shows up every week without fail? Church volunteers. Who is so generous with their time that they work tirelessly from the goodness of their hearts? Church volunteers. And who dedicates their lives to God in a way that makes a difference? Church volunteers!
You may have started your church’s social media strategy, but have you dedicated a subsection to your children’s ministry? The kids at our church are the next generation of church leaders, and including parents in the learning process complements it effectively.
Moments of ministry expansion are an exciting time where your church can extend its reach and influence. As you begin to plan your action plan and church growth strategies, you must not forget those who have been with you all along.
At the center of every church, you find its culture. Church culture is how its members experience it and reproduce its values daily – it exists within every person in your community. It is the heart and soul of a church all rolled into one.
As much as we can try and keep a positive outlook in the workplace, some issues are unavoidable. Managers can be difficult to deal with, and sometimes a clash of personalities gets in the way. When handled with grace the solution can be easy to find, and something as simple as a switch in communication style could solve the conflict.
We encounter people who are difficult to manage in every walk of life. When personalities clash and disagreements arise, handle them tactfully to minimize the impact. Finding peace in the midst of conflict is a necessary skill for dealing with difficult people, especially at church.
For many kids, returning to school in the fall is an exciting time to reconnect with friends, share news of the summer, and get back to learning. Starting the new school year with a fresh book bag, pencil case, and set of colors is a great feeling, but what about the families who can't afford flashy new accessories for their kids?
There is a lot of debate about the pros and cons of church growth, as multi-site churches don’t always go to plan. Splinters and fractures that appear between the different sites can develop into much more damaging rifts, but what if quality church management software was the missing piece to your church network puzzle?
We all know someone whose smile can light up a room and leave everyone feeling happier, but we probably also know someone who seeps negative energy and pessimism whenever they are near. The bottom line is – energy is contagious.
If your church loves an event (and we’re sure it does), planning them well is paramount. From who it’s meant to serve and who will make it happen to location, food, and funding, there are countless things to consider. If you run a multi-site church, think of this x10.
Knowing the difference between being busy and being effective is essential for church leadership. Running from task to task and having a jam-packed schedule doesn’t mean anything if you rush your work or complete it to a sub-par standard. Church leadership is often overwhelming, and being a pastor is no easy feat. But did you know that simply rearranging your tasks could free up a significant amount of time in your day? We all have the same 24 hours in a day – all that differs is how we use them.
Learning how to manage your emotions is a lifelong process that even most adults could work on. Emotional intelligence training begins early in life through mirroring others, so being a good role model is vital.
Children’s ministry is a process. It prepares kids for a life of Godliness through a nurturing and loving community environment. Some youngsters even stay with their church for life, citing the extended family feel of a warm and supportive environment as the reason they stayed.But a study by Lifeway Research found that 66% of church-attending teenagers drop out for at least a year in their adult life. And of that 66%, a huge 7 in 10 of them never found their way back as regular church attenders. So what went wrong?
Kids’ Ministry and Kids’ Church Are the Same Things… Right? Wrong. The differences may be subtle, but they are certainly there.
Volunteering in the church is an opportunity for growth, giving, and Godliness.
Your church's online presence is more complex than you might think. Yes, it's a place for new visitors to scope you out and a community platform for your congregation. But it is also so much more than that.
Creating task lists is rarely straightforward. More often than not, they look like chaotic scribbles of dreams, goals, and to-do’s that can feel overwhelming to even look at. But all this does is cause inaction.
For churches, volunteers make the world go around. Their generous offerings of labor are a necessary part of ministry life, without which all churches would struggle.
The summer holidays offer a unique opportunity for rest and reflection. Kids get a break from school activities to spend more time with their families, while adults enjoy the warmer weather and take vacations with friends.
Regularly working on your leadership skills is essential to benefit your church team. Those who work under strong leaders tend to feel supported and more motivated to give back to their church community.
Most people working in church leadership positions will feel lonely at one point or another. But why? Some claim that leadership is lonely no matter what industry you work in, while others claim loneliness as a church leader is something you cannot avoid.
Christianity and worship revolve around asking questions. We ask ourselves questions every day, whether through wonderment about the power of God or base-level things like “why am I here?”. Learn more through this podcast by Vanderbloemen that dives into this concept.
In today’s world, the hustle is glamorized, and burnout is considered normal, but working ourselves to the bone only draws us further from God. Dedicating a period of time to nurturing your spiritual side can do incredible things for your growth.
Attempting to unwrite the age divide present in most churches is tough. The separation of children’s ministry from the rest of the church activities is deeply ingrained, and many people resist change. Most churches see them as two entirely separate entities. But this has to stop.
Is your church on the lookout for more volunteers? The answer is probably yes. Volunteer recruitment is an ongoing process, as there is no such thing as too many helping hands. "The more, the merrier" is a phrase to live by when it comes to recruiting volunteers.
Kids in high school are on the cusp of adulthood. No longer children, yet not quite mature enough to make their own life choices, this period of development is marred by internal conflict and identity struggles.
Balance is essential in every aspect of our lives, but finding the sweet spot isn’t always easy. Between family and friends, work and pleasure, discipline and fun, there is a lot to juggle. So more often than not, something falls to the wayside.
Leading through change is difficult in the best of times. When something challenges the status quo, it throws people out of their comfort zone, putting them on high alert. Attempts to guide the group to the light on the other side can face harsh criticism from the people.
As a leader, you are responsible for organizing and arranging an overall project or task. You must delegate tasks effectively to keep yourself free for the planning and logistical problems that may arise.
Teenagers aren’t always easy. Sometimes, they learn to resent and resist parents and authority figures, which draws them away from a Godly life.
A sense of vision in life gives us a feeling of purpose. It gives direction and guidance, keeping us on track to achieve what God intended. However, individual vision can only go so far. When aligned, the collective power of a church community will be unstoppable.
Is the sheer volume of church work on your hands causing you stress? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, writing a to-do list is essential. But how can you make sure you actually get stuff done? Writing a list is just step one. Actually doing it is (the much harder) step two.
Most of us like to think we are disciples of God. We follow the Word of Jesus and live according to the Bible. But is that all it takes to be a disciple? What is a disciple in today’s world? To understand, we have to look at lessons found in Scripture and the leadership within our own church communities too.
At first glance, a strategy might not be something you associate with your church at all. But when you think about it, all organizations need strong leadership and a structured plan to get anywhere in this world. Creating long-term goals and an overarching mission can make this happen for your church.
Visions from God have always inspired Christians, from biblical times to today. When the direction we are moving in isn’t clear, we pray to God and ask for guidance. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is open your mind and heart to His grace and have faith that He will lead you.
Nowadays, social media for churches is a must. They act as the first point of call for potential new attendees at your church, provide a platform for your community online and appeal to younger congregants. But while there are countless benefits to church social media, it's imperative to be aware of the downsides.
What do you think of when you envision a church mentor? Is it a training program for someone who wants to mature in their faith and develop a closer relationship with God? Is it a person who helps pastors stay aligned, preventing them from falling into a rut? Does it help someone who is only just discovering their relationship with God?
In an ideal world, everyone would get along. Collaboration would be easy, and community bonds would thrive. But, as we know from real life, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Every person has different values, ideals, and ways of expressing themselves. Naturally, this causes conflict.
People put the most effort in when morale is high. And when it is, their effort won't even feel like work. Think about it. Have you ever had a day filled with purpose and joy that flies by in the blink of an eye? When your vision is aligned and you know your time is valued, you want to give 110% to everything you do.
Sunday services are a central element of worshiping as a Christian. But there’s something about the small group session that enhances community connection and strengthens bonds with God tenfold.
You probably set New Year's resolutions, but do you create big summer goals? If you are serious about it, self-improvement shouldn’t be saved for once a year. Re-inspire yourself to improve your church leadership skills by following a summer reading list.
Do you ever feel like you are in a constant state of exhaustion? Does everything on your plate feel like too much to handle? You could be experiencing burnout. Burnout at work takes a dangerous toll on your physical and mental health as you navigate what seems like a never-ending feeling of stress.
