Article Resources

               

Apple M1 Macs – Yes or No?

Apple introduced Macs with a new chipset late last year, and many are excited about it! Honestly, I am too! The specs suggest great improvements in processing power and speed, and like the Tom Cruise character said in Top Gun,  “I feel the need… the need for speed!”  And the fact that it’s from Apple has those we affectionately refer to as the fanboys especially excited!

Addressing the Budget in Difficult Times 

Many churches find themselves in a challenging situation regarding their budget because of COVID-19 or other reasons. You may find yourself responsible for having to cut huge chunks from your existing budget. It is a daunting task, and where do you start? I have been involved with church and mission finances for more than 30 years and have been through this process more than a few times. The following is a process I have used with some success.

Staff Working Remotely

An increasing number of church and ministry staff members are working remotely. Whether at home, a coffee shop, or a community center, facilitating their needs is becoming an important part of leadership policy setting. What are the pros and cons? And what tools help?

5 Practices for Coaxing Order out of Chaos

Chaos is a natural by-product of innovation. Innovation happens best in conditions of upheaval, disturbance, and dissonance. However, people expect their leaders to keep things calm, predictable, and orderly. How do we coax order out of chaos without squelching innovation?

7 Ways to Avoid a Financial Train Wreck

In church governance, high attention must be given to the spiritual aspects of the church—focusing on the spiritual health of the body. All too often there is a tension in church governance between spiritual matters and faithful administration of financial resources.

Layered Security Approach for Churches

The security industry is receiving an increasing number of requests for various types of security solutions from churches. National news outlets are reporting an ever-increasing number of church vandalism, theft, robberies, and in some instances active shooters on or within church campuses

Leadership Integrity

Dennis Waitley in his book Being the Best reports the story of Reuben Gonzales, a leading racquetball player. Gonzales reached the final in his first ever professional tournament. Holding match point in the fifth and final game, he made an amazing “kill shot” into the front corner.

5 Technology Advances for Governance Excellence

How to Deter Fraud in Not-for-Profit Organizations

Any organization can be a victim of fraud. According to the most recent Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse, issued March 30, 2016, by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)...

Financial Integrity as the Foundation: My Interview with Dan Busby

As we celebrate another National Church Administration Day, I am reminded that without integrity, there is no sound basis for church administration. In all the busyness and complexity of our day-to-day life as church administrators, we cannot afford to forget the foundation of integrity.

10 Tips for Negotiating Your Cyber Insurance Policy

Your New Building Concept Looks Great!

 When a congregation intends to build, or undertake significant renovation, church leaders will invest a lot of time and energy in developing a building concept, a picture of the future church building or renovation. Significant dollars will be invested in blueprints that are used for competitive bidding, or for a design-build process

Why Get Certified If You Know How to Do Your Job?

With the 2018 national conference just a few weeks away, we are busy gathering and finalizing all the details to recognize individuals who have completed work to become Certified Church Administrators (CCAs) and those who have completed retention work to maintain their certification. It is a highlight focus at the conference each year.

Accounting Trends and Challenges

Managing church finances involves much more than reconciling accounts or sending out donation receipts. This vital function requires in-depth knowledge of the structure, vision, and future plans of the church. It involves providing not just accurate financial reports but also offering information to help church leaders make wise decisions.

New Revenue Recognition Standard - Will it impact me?  

On June 21, 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2018-08: Clarifying the Scope and the Accounting Guidance for Contributions Received and Contributions Made.

Is Your Organization’s Internal Financial Reporting Process Exactly Backward?

hy is it that in many nonprofit organizations, the top leaders and decision-makers of the organization, who are not accountants, are given the organization’s critical financial information in a format designed by accountants for accountants? 

Self Care: It’s not about changing others

Here’s something I learned about church leadership: It’s not about changing others. This was a hard-won lesson for me, after years of trying to do just that. And it was a relief when I finally learned it.