The initial question shouldn't focus on VBS content but on the size of the group. Since the transition to Zoom for most churches, there is no longer the assumption that VBS needs to be confined to the church building's neighborhood. VBS has suddenly gone global; at least, it should.
There is no reason why any church can't expand its online VBS presence to children across the country or around the world. And if a local church is blessed with members who speak a language other than English, the natural audience could cover Mexico, France, much of Africa and Asia.
In fact, VBS shouldn't be confined to "Vacation" Bible School but should be rebranded as global children's ministry. Thanks to Zoom, the world has become our audience; limited only by our imagination and human resources.
Do churches still have choirs? I thought that worship teams -- designed to lead the congregation in worship -- replaced the need for choirs. One can't beat congregational singing in a worship service.
So, choirs during COVID are redundant and non-existent. Let's permanently put choirs and "special music" to rest.
Instead, have worship teams teach and lead meaningful psalms, hymns and contemporary songs.
You raise a profound question and it even stretches beyond The Offering to a larger question about what worship will look like post-COVID? And will we ever experience a post-COVID or will we always have COVID with us ... like the flu or other viruses?
Those churches that had online giving or pre-authorized giving before COVID hit are probably still managing to pay their bills. Those church members have grown accustomed to giving to the church outside of the weekly worship service.
It is undoubtedly more difficult for churches that passed the offering plate on Sundays and that was the sole source of church revenue.
My hunch is that mission giving has moved from the offering plate to direct donations to the ministry agency. While non-profit funding is down considerably during COVID, my hunch is that mission agencies with their broad database of church members and supporters may be doing okay.
I have also noticed that online giving has spread to a wider family of kingdom causes. Local church loyalty is giving way to a broader Kingdom approach. Sunday worship during COVID has become "Sunday worships" -- often watching two, three or more worship services on a Sunday, either live or on YouTube. I live in Ontario but I regularly 'worship' with our kids in Florida and in Seattle on Sunday mornings. While there is a temptation to donate to them when the offering call comes around, I've resisted the tempation ... mainly because U.S. churches can't issue Canadian tax receipts.
I guess I haven't really answered your question. Churches regularly encourage their online audiences to still donate online or to send a cheque in the mail. From a parishioner's perspective, The Offering still happens but the recipients vary ... depending on whim.
Our policy with respect to an active shooter is quite simple: we pray for his/her soul as we await eternity with Christ..
Okay, we don't have that policy but it would be appropriate.
A growing number of churches have metal detectors. Everyone passes through them upon entering the church building. . . before one gains access to the sanctuary, church school, or church offices. When the alarm goes off, its connected to 911.
My hunch is that treasurers aren't typically on staff because church staff tend to focus on 'ministry', the exception invariably being the custodian.
Though the treasurer's work is very important, it is not typically a 9 - 5 job. The treasurer of classis typically receives a stipend in recognition of his or her work. I believe that the church should include a modest stipend in their annual budget. It could be $5,000 or $10,000 depending on the size of the church and the nature of the work.
I think that the clerk should also receive a similar stipend for the amount of work he/she does.
This leads to a larger issue about who should get paid for work within the church that is largely seen as voluntary. I think that the heads of all church committees and ministries --if they aren't already on staff -- should be paid $2 at the beginning of the church year. Consider them staff. That enables church council to shuffle staff around around to match their talents with the appropriate ministry. It also enables an incompetent volunteer to be fired.
Well, the first thing that comes to mind -- and I live in Canada -- is that the parsonage would lose it tax-free status. In Canada, the church does not pay taxes on church-owned property such as a parsonage. But if you're renting it out and receiving income, my hunch is that you'd have to pay property taxes on it.
Most security systems are tied in to a central security office. When the alarm goes off, police are notified and they investigate. Security systems can also be regularly checked to ensure that they are in operating order.
How does one determine if your dog will bark, cause a fuss, attack anyone who enters your house unannounced?
If your dog is a family pet that, at best, would lick someone to death, it wouldn't qualify.
On the other hand, if you have a Doberman, keep it caged, feed it only occasionally, it may very well qualify as an Extreme Security System.
Perhaps the easiest way to determine if your dog is a legitimate 'housing expense' is to ask your home insurer: ie Does a dog quality as a security system? I doubt it.
Matt, I can't imagine any scenario where your concerns would hold water. If that person is an alcoholic -- especially struggling with alcoholism -- or the need for a gluten-free option, there wouldn't be a church council that wouldn't accommodate those special needs. And if he is an alcoholic without any sense that he is struggling with his alcoholism, he wouldn't qualify to be an elder. (That wouldn't be the quality of a godly leader who must serve as an example to the congregation)
And if that person travels a lot to the point that he/she consistently misses communion -- and presumably many other services -- that would also disqualify that person from serving as an elder.
As mentioned in an earlier post, elders must be exceptional, godly men/women who live lives of integrity.
We seem to be too quick to select office-bearers who appear to be ''good enough'' to serve in office. In some cases, we seem to have lowered our standards to the point where serving as an elder has become equivalent to serving on some church board or committee. When that's the case, the church's leadership has lost its integrity.
Tithing implies that we give as we are blessed. It's an ongoing process. My experience is that financial 'blessings' fluctuate throughout the year so we could/should be giving more as we are blessed.
There is probably something to be said to automate your basic giving; a regular monthly (weekly, biweekly or quarterly) deduction from your bank account that provides the foundation of your annual giving. But that should not absolve us of giving over and above that amount on Sundays.
There is another downside to automated giving, especially if you have younger children. How do you instill giving in your children (tithing their allowance?) if you simply pass the plate Sunday after Sunday, reasoning that you 'gave at the bank'.?
If a pastor's wife served on the Board of Deacons and if that board was also part of that church's council, the pastor's wife would part of the body overseeing, among other things, the church's budget. The pastor is accountable to council; the pastor's wife would have oversight over the pastor. Probably not a good thing.
If there is a clear separation between the work of deacons and their role within a church council, to the point that there would be no conflict of interest -- perceived or otherwise -- then that might work.
I lead a national association of Christian business and professional leaders. In the monthly discussion among the 50 groups, we look at stewardship; the notion that ALL that we have belongs to God.
A business owner said that he felt humbly proud of the fact that he tithed his net profits at the end of the year. But when he realized that all that he has belongs to God -- including his business -- he said: "Who am I to give God only 10 per cent of my net profits (implying I have a good year) when He owns it all!" He said that he instructed his accountant to revise his corporate budget to include a line item that said: "Kingdom Causes .... $75,000."
He said: "If anything, it's a daily reminder that God is part of my business's DNA."
So, if that apply corporately, how about personally? If your entire life and all your possessions belong to God, how much do you want to give back to Him (ie the Kingdom)??
Automatic tithing? Sure. But make sure that it hurts every week or every month when that withdrawal comes out of your account. Make sure that you aren't giving God a few left-over crumbs ... your 'basic' tithe that you don't even miss. If that's the case, you aren't really giving. God owns it all.
That situation seems unfathomable. If a person has consistently not taken communion, that person is dealing with some serious spiritual/moral issues that requires a visit from the pastor or elder. That person requires counselling. He/she should not be the one to provide spiritual direction to anyone else. How can one who doesn't participate in communion oversee communion?
An elder should live an exemplary, godly life. He/she should know the scriptures intimately and should be one who can provide godly, biblical, wise advice in all circumstances.
We too often look for "any warm body" to fill a slot on the elder nominee list, and that makes a mockery of the office and calls into question the integrity of the church's leadership.
Posted in: Virtual VBS?
The initial question shouldn't focus on VBS content but on the size of the group. Since the transition to Zoom for most churches, there is no longer the assumption that VBS needs to be confined to the church building's neighborhood. VBS has suddenly gone global; at least, it should.
There is no reason why any church can't expand its online VBS presence to children across the country or around the world. And if a local church is blessed with members who speak a language other than English, the natural audience could cover Mexico, France, much of Africa and Asia.
In fact, VBS shouldn't be confined to "Vacation" Bible School but should be rebranded as global children's ministry. Thanks to Zoom, the world has become our audience; limited only by our imagination and human resources.
Posted in: How Will Your Choir Look This Year?
Do churches still have choirs? I thought that worship teams -- designed to lead the congregation in worship -- replaced the need for choirs. One can't beat congregational singing in a worship service.
So, choirs during COVID are redundant and non-existent. Let's permanently put choirs and "special music" to rest.
Instead, have worship teams teach and lead meaningful psalms, hymns and contemporary songs.
Posted in: What Are Churches Doing To Encourage Giving as an Act of Worship During COVID-19?
You raise a profound question and it even stretches beyond The Offering to a larger question about what worship will look like post-COVID? And will we ever experience a post-COVID or will we always have COVID with us ... like the flu or other viruses?
Those churches that had online giving or pre-authorized giving before COVID hit are probably still managing to pay their bills. Those church members have grown accustomed to giving to the church outside of the weekly worship service.
It is undoubtedly more difficult for churches that passed the offering plate on Sundays and that was the sole source of church revenue.
My hunch is that mission giving has moved from the offering plate to direct donations to the ministry agency. While non-profit funding is down considerably during COVID, my hunch is that mission agencies with their broad database of church members and supporters may be doing okay.
I have also noticed that online giving has spread to a wider family of kingdom causes. Local church loyalty is giving way to a broader Kingdom approach. Sunday worship during COVID has become "Sunday worships" -- often watching two, three or more worship services on a Sunday, either live or on YouTube. I live in Ontario but I regularly 'worship' with our kids in Florida and in Seattle on Sunday mornings. While there is a temptation to donate to them when the offering call comes around, I've resisted the tempation ... mainly because U.S. churches can't issue Canadian tax receipts.
I guess I haven't really answered your question. Churches regularly encourage their online audiences to still donate online or to send a cheque in the mail. From a parishioner's perspective, The Offering still happens but the recipients vary ... depending on whim.
Posted in: Policies for Responding to Active Shooter?
Our policy with respect to an active shooter is quite simple: we pray for his/her soul as we await eternity with Christ..
Okay, we don't have that policy but it would be appropriate.
A growing number of churches have metal detectors. Everyone passes through them upon entering the church building. . . before one gains access to the sanctuary, church school, or church offices. When the alarm goes off, its connected to 911.
Posted in: Why Are Church Treasurers Not on Staff?
My hunch is that treasurers aren't typically on staff because church staff tend to focus on 'ministry', the exception invariably being the custodian.
Though the treasurer's work is very important, it is not typically a 9 - 5 job. The treasurer of classis typically receives a stipend in recognition of his or her work. I believe that the church should include a modest stipend in their annual budget. It could be $5,000 or $10,000 depending on the size of the church and the nature of the work.
I think that the clerk should also receive a similar stipend for the amount of work he/she does.
This leads to a larger issue about who should get paid for work within the church that is largely seen as voluntary. I think that the heads of all church committees and ministries --if they aren't already on staff -- should be paid $2 at the beginning of the church year. Consider them staff. That enables church council to shuffle staff around around to match their talents with the appropriate ministry. It also enables an incompetent volunteer to be fired.
Posted in: Transitioning Parsonage to Low-income Housing
Well, the first thing that comes to mind -- and I live in Canada -- is that the parsonage would lose it tax-free status. In Canada, the church does not pay taxes on church-owned property such as a parsonage. But if you're renting it out and receiving income, my hunch is that you'd have to pay property taxes on it.
It's best to consult a lawyer/attorney.
Posted in: Pet as Clergy Housing Expense?
Just thinking out loud.
Most security systems are tied in to a central security office. When the alarm goes off, police are notified and they investigate. Security systems can also be regularly checked to ensure that they are in operating order.
How does one determine if your dog will bark, cause a fuss, attack anyone who enters your house unannounced?
If your dog is a family pet that, at best, would lick someone to death, it wouldn't qualify.
On the other hand, if you have a Doberman, keep it caged, feed it only occasionally, it may very well qualify as an Extreme Security System.
Perhaps the easiest way to determine if your dog is a legitimate 'housing expense' is to ask your home insurer: ie Does a dog quality as a security system? I doubt it.
Posted in: Eligibility Question for Elder Nominee
Matt, I can't imagine any scenario where your concerns would hold water. If that person is an alcoholic -- especially struggling with alcoholism -- or the need for a gluten-free option, there wouldn't be a church council that wouldn't accommodate those special needs. And if he is an alcoholic without any sense that he is struggling with his alcoholism, he wouldn't qualify to be an elder. (That wouldn't be the quality of a godly leader who must serve as an example to the congregation)
And if that person travels a lot to the point that he/she consistently misses communion -- and presumably many other services -- that would also disqualify that person from serving as an elder.
As mentioned in an earlier post, elders must be exceptional, godly men/women who live lives of integrity.
We seem to be too quick to select office-bearers who appear to be ''good enough'' to serve in office. In some cases, we seem to have lowered our standards to the point where serving as an elder has become equivalent to serving on some church board or committee. When that's the case, the church's leadership has lost its integrity.
Posted in: Do You Automate Your Tithing?
"Automatic tithing" seems like an oxymoron.
Tithing implies that we give as we are blessed. It's an ongoing process. My experience is that financial 'blessings' fluctuate throughout the year so we could/should be giving more as we are blessed.
There is probably something to be said to automate your basic giving; a regular monthly (weekly, biweekly or quarterly) deduction from your bank account that provides the foundation of your annual giving. But that should not absolve us of giving over and above that amount on Sundays.
There is another downside to automated giving, especially if you have younger children. How do you instill giving in your children (tithing their allowance?) if you simply pass the plate Sunday after Sunday, reasoning that you 'gave at the bank'.?
Posted in: Appropriate for Pastor's Spouse to Serve on the Board of Deacons?
If a pastor's wife served on the Board of Deacons and if that board was also part of that church's council, the pastor's wife would part of the body overseeing, among other things, the church's budget. The pastor is accountable to council; the pastor's wife would have oversight over the pastor. Probably not a good thing.
If there is a clear separation between the work of deacons and their role within a church council, to the point that there would be no conflict of interest -- perceived or otherwise -- then that might work.
Posted in: Do You Automate Your Tithing?
Here's a 'corporate' digression on tithing.
I lead a national association of Christian business and professional leaders. In the monthly discussion among the 50 groups, we look at stewardship; the notion that ALL that we have belongs to God.
A business owner said that he felt humbly proud of the fact that he tithed his net profits at the end of the year. But when he realized that all that he has belongs to God -- including his business -- he said: "Who am I to give God only 10 per cent of my net profits (implying I have a good year) when He owns it all!" He said that he instructed his accountant to revise his corporate budget to include a line item that said: "Kingdom Causes .... $75,000."
He said: "If anything, it's a daily reminder that God is part of my business's DNA."
So, if that apply corporately, how about personally? If your entire life and all your possessions belong to God, how much do you want to give back to Him (ie the Kingdom)??
Automatic tithing? Sure. But make sure that it hurts every week or every month when that withdrawal comes out of your account. Make sure that you aren't giving God a few left-over crumbs ... your 'basic' tithe that you don't even miss. If that's the case, you aren't really giving. God owns it all.
Posted in: Eligibility Question for Elder Nominee
That situation seems unfathomable. If a person has consistently not taken communion, that person is dealing with some serious spiritual/moral issues that requires a visit from the pastor or elder. That person requires counselling. He/she should not be the one to provide spiritual direction to anyone else. How can one who doesn't participate in communion oversee communion?
An elder should live an exemplary, godly life. He/she should know the scriptures intimately and should be one who can provide godly, biblical, wise advice in all circumstances.
We too often look for "any warm body" to fill a slot on the elder nominee list, and that makes a mockery of the office and calls into question the integrity of the church's leadership.