Search Results

The world is changing. From printing press to now, the way to disseminate knowledge has changed. People have different tools of learning and experiencing the world. Secular marketing often creates the "demand" their products offer to solve. Church marketing is about letting the world know your church has an answer to the deep needs people already have. Download these are 5 key reasons that your church should market itself today.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that necessary records and documents are adequately protected and maintained and to ensure that records that are no longer needed are discarded at the proper time. This policy is also for the purpose of aiding staff and volunteers, so that they have an understanding of their obligations in retaining electronic documents - including e-mail, web files, text files, sound and movie files, PDF documents, and all Microsoft Office or other formatted files.

Churches often have only a few mechanisms for raising revenue, and they all center around the offering plate. However, there are alternate avenues to raise what we term non-traditional revenue. Check out this handy resource for ideas and tips on how your church can raise funds beyond traditional giving. CLICK HERE to download the Non-Traditional Revenue Toolkit

Use this resource to help understand and define data terms used within the Methodist Church.

The General Council of Finance and Administration’s IT department has created guidelines that give your ministries a place to start when considering IT infrastructure and needs. The answers to these questions can help save time and money if you employ a professional IT assessment service. Such savings can add more ministry dollars to your budget and to the communities you have been called to serve.

Recently multiple organizations have released interesting survey results based on opinions of professional meeting planners. If you are in charge of event planning for your organization, church, or a venue hosting meetings or events, read up on the latest trends.[i] 95.7% of event professionals believe venues need to invest more in technology for groups and meetings. In today’s connected world, even venues that promise a “back-to-basics” atmosphere need to supply a baseline of technology to meet the needs of events. Technology also helps a venue streamline its event management, including payment tracking and accessibility of venue representatives and event coordinators beyond email. WIFI is no longer a luxury but a necessity, even in remote venues. With enhanced environmental consciousness and smaller budgets, the use of paper is becoming obsolete. Assessing the technology capabilities and budgeting for technology and audio-visual investments is now a prerequisite for any venue wanting to host meetings or events. 95.2% of event professionals understand event emails to attendees could be better. In the flood of emails people receive every day - even with specialized streams of “primary,” “social,” and “promotions” - all attendees need emails from their registered events which stand out and capture their attention. A flood of emails may not get the information that is needed by event managers and venue coordinators, but carefully crafted and branded emails just might. Personalized emails are now the norm. They must be personable as well. How can attendees begin to interact with one another before arriving at the venue? How can an event begin engaging attendees the moment someone registers? 96% of planners and venue professionals surveyed report events are expected to be more personalized than ever before. Event attendees want something beyond the traditional meeting or event. They want to be able to choose personalized options that engage them at multiple levels of interest and attention. Meeting planners are now experience creators. 92.3% of planners and property professionals believe events are more likely not to be booked at a hotel than five years ago. To create more authentic, local, and personalized experiences for events and meetings, planning professionals are considering venues outside the usual hotel or resort. If a venue, traditional or non-traditional, can help create a personalized experience, the wider its customer base. 72.5% of event professionals believe a venue’s check-in process for groups arriving need to be improved. In service industries, immediacy is a precondition to making a good first impression. People hate standing in lines. Private group and digital check-ins can be helpful. Can a venue’s technology meet the needs of an event and its attendees efficiently? GCFA’s Travel and Meeting Planning experts can help you plan an event for fifteen or thousands. Using the latest technologies and building on decades of experiences, our meeting planners are creative, efficient, and cost-effective. Our team also offers online event registration services with Aventri, a cutting-edge event management vendor, as well as an attendee event app, called UMC Meet. Let GCFA show you how we can transform your conference or meeting into an easily manageable event for you as well as a convenient and informative experience for your attendees. Contact our Connectional Relations Team to learn more at ConnectionalRelations@gcfa.org or via phone at (866) 367-4232. [i] https://www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/the-atlas/2018-global-meetings-events-forecast/ http://www.iacconline.org/meeting-room-of-the-future-june2017-download https://www.cvent.com/en/resources

What can I do to be creative with my social media using copyrighted materials? Know your rights and your responsibilities when using the intellectual property of others. Click on this video resource for answers to some common situations you might find yourself in.

“Happy are your eyes because they see. Happy are your ears because they hear.” Matthew 13:16 Today millions share experiences together, no matter where they are, through live streaming. Let others "attend” your church on the internet in the same way. With the trend towards personal and authentic experiences online, you do not need the “best” equipment or high production value to meet the people where they are. No need for editing or mixing, special effects or stylists. Just keep it real and faithful and those who have eyes, ears and hearts will see, hear and feel the Holy Spirit talking to them through your stream. Our live streaming resource shares some basics on how to do a live stream for social media consumption.

How to avoid copyright infringement and being sued means learning about the things like the limited religious exemption and fair use. In this video series, attorney Sam Miller joins GCFA’s legal team to break down specifics in copyright law. This is a continuing series brought to you by GCFA Legal Services. After you check out this video, be sure the catch up on any in the series you may have missed!

"If you or your church are sued for copyright infringement, it will be expensive, stressful, and time-consuming.” – Attorney Sam Miller. Miller joins GCFA’s legal team to break down copyright law in the second installment of our Legal Copyright video series. Between song lyrics, Google images, and powerpoints, church personnel need to have a firm grasp on copyright basics. Watch Today, and look for more in this continuing series next month.

In this video series, attorney Sam Miller joins GCFA’s legal team to break down copyright law. Between song lyrics, Google images, and powerpoints, church personnel need to have a firm grasp on copyright basics. Watch today, and look for more in this continuing series.

GuideStar is the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. Listing your church, annual conference, district, or UM-affiliated organization is FREE and EASY. 1. How can my church be listed on GuideStar? To get started, visit UMgroupruling.org, and follow the steps to request a group ruling letter. You will be given the option to check the box, “Yes please list me on GuideStar.” That is all you need to do to be listed! 2. What if my church already has a group ruling letter? GCFA began offering GuideStar listings in January 2018. If you received your group ruling letter before then, you can still be listed in GuideStar. Go back to UMgroupruling.org and complete the application for an updated group ruling letter. Before submitting the application, click “Yes please list me on GuideStar.” 3. Can I be added to GuideStar if I am an affiliated UM organization and not a church? Yes. Affiliated organizations that have been issued a certificate of inclusion in the group ruling can be added to GuideStar. If you are eligible for a group ruling letter, you have the option of being added to Guidestar. When you sign into UMgroupruling.org, check the box, “Yes please list me on GuideStar.” 4. Why should my church or organization be listed in GuideStar? In a time when most donor organizations are using electronic verification of an organization’s 501(c)(3) status, they check GuideStar. AmazonSmile, Facebook, and the Wal-Mart Foundation are just a few entities that utilize the GuideStar database to verify nonprofit status. 5. How long does it take to be added to GuideStar? GCFA updates GuideStar quarterly beginning in January. Once GuideStar adds your UM church, annual conference, district, or affiliated organization, you must claim your profile at guidestar.org/update.