Churches at Risk: Mid-Year Crime Report Highlights Loss of Life and Property
from Christian Newswire
According to "Crimes Against Christian Organizations in the United States," a new report released by the Christian Security Network, of the 17 violent crimes reported by Christian churches thus far in 2009, six resulted in homicides. Additionally, churches lost more than $6.3 million in property loss due to burglary, theft, robbery, arson and vandalism. More

Church Camps Closing Amid Declining Use, Economy
from The Associated Press
Camp Sumatanga in Gallant, Ala., has meant Bible stories and softball games for generations of Methodist families. Young and old alike come to the old church retreat for renewal in its quiet coves and chapels. Today, though, the 1,700-acre retreat is in danger of shutting down. The president of the Christian Camp and Conference Association, Bob Kobielush, said dozens of camps nationwide ceased operating in the last three years, and this could be the last summer for many more. More

Fresh Ideas for Church Construction
from LifeWay
It’s exciting to watch many new churches and growing churches across the nation who are beginning construction on buildings. Here are some fresh ideas for those eventful construction days. More

Health Care Reform is Urgent Given Economy, Religious Leaders Say
from The Christian Post
Top religious leaders from diverse faith traditions came together Tuesday and urged the White House and Congress to make health care reform an urgent priority because of the current economic conditions. Nearly 30 leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Faith Leader Summit on Health Care where they discussed best practices, identified common ground and shared expectations for health care reform legislation. More

Video: Churches Getting Hit With Recession
from Texomas
While lawmakers can rely on tax payer money for state projects, churches can only rely on donations and in this down economy, some local churches say the recession is having an impact on the amount of contribution they get in their collection plates. More

Can Social Networking Get Us Sued?
from Your Church
Like the rest of the world, many churches are turning to social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter to connect with people and promote outreaches and other church programs. And that's what these tools were designed for—easy mass communication and media sharing. While this is a creative way to do business and connect with people inside and outside the church, using these social networks could cause some liability problems for your church if you do not set up the appropriate policies and monitoring procedures. More

When Volunteers Don't Follow Through
from Youth Worker
Adult volunteers are vital to successful youth ministry as countless articles, books, DVDs and podcasts attest. What happens when volunteers let you down? Here are some suggestions for addressing this important challenge. More

The High Cost of Debt in Ministry
from the San Angelo Standard-Times
Before you start your next big project, beware: Debt can devour--even kill--an otherwise effective ministry. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it--lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish" (Luke 14:28-30, NKJV). More

One Simple Twitter Tip for Better Relationship Building for Ministries
from Ministry Marketing Coach
In theory, social media is designed to be, well . . . social. Sometimes, however, technology and the tools it spawns are anti-relational. The author offers one simple tip for ministries and churches to build better twitter relationships. More

Churches Turn to Clothes to Spread Message
from WFSB-TV
Glenn Stringer, who serves as a deacon in his church, was intent on finding a way for people to tell others about the greatness of God. So he started an apparel line. "Covenant Army is a ministry first and clothing line second," says Stringer, co-founder and CEO of the religious street-wear apparel line. "It is an evangelism tool that helps strengthen the believers' witness and promotes the gospel of Jesus Christ. We create subtle but bold pieces that let the world know who we represent and stand for." More

A Seattle Church Automates Giving and Achieves Online Community
from Church Executive Magazine
Puget Sound Christian Center in the greater Seattle area has undergone significant technology updating in its 30 years in order to meet the congregation’s needs and desires to connect and communicate with one another. A component of these changes in the past six months alone includes taking donations in a way that helped to streamline the church’s accounting and records management, on top of providing simple ways for the congregation to worship through giving. More

Oldest Bible Made Whole Again Online
from Reuters
The surviving parts of the world's oldest Bible were reunited online on Monday, generating excitement among scholars striving to unlock its mysteries. The Codex Sinaiticus was hand-written by four scribes in Greek on animal hide, known as vellum, in the mid-fourth century around the time of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great who embraced Christianity. More