How Pastors are Soothing Congregants in Recessionary Times
from the Christian Science Monitor
For preachers, the so-called Great Recession is doing more than boosting church attendance. It’s challenging clergy to find fitting words for a rare, tender moment when nearly everyone – including preachers – is hurting in a personal, all-too-concrete way. Most sermonizers seem to be making a stab at it, but the tactics and themes in use vary widely. More

New I-9 Form Implementation Delayed Until April 3
from the Employer Law Report
Implementation of the new I-9 form, which for the first time requires new employees to distinguish between a representation of U.S. citizenship or non-citizen nationality and also reduces the number of acceptable documents, has been delayed for another 60 days. The new effective date for this form and the new requirements is April 3, 2009. The regulations also prohibited the use of some expired documents to demonstrate citizenship or identity. More

Church Groups to Share Grant to Ease Pastors' Economic Problems
from The Courier Journal
Sixteen Protestant regional denominational bodies in Indiana will split about $11 million in grants from the Lilly Endowment to help them address the economic problems some of their pastors face. The denominational bodies, which serve 3,300 churches across Indiana, will use the grant to educate congregations about the financial pressures that pastors face, give relief to pastors in some cases and provide financial planning. More

Churchgoers Turn the Other Cheek in the Boxing Ring
from The Argus Leader via USA Today
Jerry James took a right to the chops for Jesus the other night. Clad in sweats, boxing gloves and headgear, the former standout amateur boxer stood inside the ropes during the homily Saturday night at New Life Church in Sioux Falls, Iowa. More

Fair Pay
from Your Church
When it comes to ministry-related job positions, many people don't want to admit the importance of the compensation plan being offered, yet it remains a vitally important element in attracting and retaining qualified employees. For many managers, compensation systems remain shrouded in mystery. Here's how to implement a formalized pay and benefits plan. More

Virginia Church Offers up Its Offering
from The Free-Lance Star
The crowd at Lifepoint Church in Spotsylvania, Va., claps and whistles when the offering baskets come out. On Sunday, the congregation gathered at Chancellor High School grew completely silent when ushers brought the baskets down the aisles a second time. The pastor quickly reassured them: Don't put money in the basket. Take it out. More

Affinity Marketing: A Path to Fundraising for Churches
from Church Solutions Magazine
There are numerous books, seminars and conferences guiding churches on how to build funds. Ranging from A-Z guides on how to motivate contributions to online seminars on the keys to financial stability, these guides offer tips on targeting major givers, linking fund drives to spiritual commitment, using personal testimonials and developing financial plans. However, as well-intended as these resources are, the majority of them fail to mention a key strategy – affinity marketing, in which churches can receive a portion of their members’ cable, phone, Internet service or other bill. More

The Main Event
from Ministry Today
Did you know young people make more life-changing decisions during special ministry events than at any other time on a church’s annual calendar? These types of gatherings allow you more one-on-one time with your preteens than you’ll ever get during the typical Sunday youth meeting. Here are a few tested ideas for “main events” that you can try as a way to help you connect with your church’s preteens. More

Develop Your Target Audience Profile
from Ministry Marketing Coach
Besides not knowing what they want to do with their marketing, ministry leaders also become discouraged with their outreach when they don’t know who they are targeting. If you know who you are trying to reach, when you look at your results you can tell if you made contact. More

Take Positive Steps to Prevent Mishaps on Church School Buses
from Church Executive
When parents of student passengers give their trust and confidence that their bus driver will act in their best interest, that driver accepts a powerful role that directly influences student behavior. Nancy Blackwelder is a training consultant in Pinellas County, FL, who works with schools on transportation issues. She says any person in direct contact with children in an education setting essentially becomes a teacher. More

The Play Book: Understanding the Fundamentals of a Healthy Sunday School
from LifeWay
Fundamentals are critical to winning a football game. The occasional quarterback sneak or double reverse would be of little consequence if the team could not catch, tackle, block, and hold the ball. When pastors are looking for ways to grow their church, they often settle for trick plays, such as new programs or large, one-time events. While these may be fine in their proper place, they will never take the place of executing the fundamentals of Sunday School. More