Jay Baer gives us 3 tips on when QR Codes are more valuable than just a URL:

1. Unlock information, not a destination
2. Lead the user to information that’s relevant immediately
3. Perfect mobile formatting of the information delivered

I agree that QR Codes shouldn’t just be a destination. Give the person who takes the time to scan the QR code something valuable.

What does this mean for your church?

Think outside the box. Use QR Codes:

-          At the entrance of your sanctuary for people to scan and download an electronic version of your church bulletin (Go Green!)

-          In your printed church bulletin to receive details for church events. Provide time, date, place, rsvp info within the QR Code.

-          To provide sermon notes

What other ways can you think of to use a QR Code in your church?

*photo by waxorian

Bible Gateway- Display a verse of the day on your website or have it feed into a news feed on your site.

BibleReader-  It’s an easy way to study the Bible on the go. Features include: verse highlighting, personal notes and Greek and Hebrew translations.

Gratitude Journal- Keep a list of 5 things you’re thankful for each day

Prayer List- Request Organizer- An app that lets you track and store prayer requests

If you have other ideas, please share them…let’s get some creative juices flowing!

There are three different types of volunteers.

1. Committed Volunteer-  Super involved, maybe you include this person on your core team of volunteers. This person doesn’t need a ton of direction from you because they know the ropes. They know the answers to people’s questions and are ready to train new volunteers.
2. New Volunteer- Willing to help, but not super involved mostly due to lack of knowledge. They want to help, but aren’t familiar with the processes or the way of the land. They probably get overwhelmed seeing you running around all morning. They’ll need a lot of direction. Give them specific tasks at first and help them grow into a committed volunteer.
3. Substitute Volunteer- a group of people willing to fill in as needed for your core team volunteers

The easiest type of recruiting is probably for the substitute volunteer. There’s no real long term commitment. All they have to do is volunteer once in awhile, when someone else can’t. All volunteers want to feel needed. Whether they are a substitute or commited, give them ownership of their position. Look for leadership skills within your volunteer base and be willing to hand over certain tasks. Turning new volunteers into committed volunteers is tough. Here are a few things to think about:

1. Have volunteer positions been posted somewhere with a clear definition of what’s involved? A lot of times people won’t volunteer because they don’t know what their signing up for. A vague invite to volunteer within the children’s department could range from changing diapers, singing songs or just helping with crafts.  Communicate the expectations clearly…treat it like a job posting.

2. Have you asked people from outside your peer group to volunteer?

Think outside your circle of friends and their circle of friends. Have you considered asking retirees within the church to help volunteer? What about teens in the youth group? College group?

3. Have you announced your need for volunteers in other places beside the church bulletin?

Video Announcments? Facebook Posts on the Church Facebook page? Skits announcements? Bathroom door poster announcements? Website Announcements?

4. Does your church have a place on their website with all volunteer needs listed?

Having a centralized location where people, who are willing to volunteer, can go and find where they can serve. Having a detailed description of each position will probably be helpful in helping them feel qualified and needed for the job.

5. Are you encouraging and thanking your volunteers?

A genuine smile and thank you can go a long way in keeping your volunteers. When they feel appreciated, they are probably more likely to continue serving because they can see how it benefits the church and helps you. Never take for granted the power of a simple, “thank you.”

What other ideas do you have?

pic by jollyUK

My church has recently gone through a lot of change within our young adults’ class. Personally, I enjoy change because things happen when there’s healthy change. If we get too settled and comfortable with what’s going on around us, then nothing will happen. Nothing will grow. It will eventually die. But when there’s change, it’s vital that vision and goals are communicated clearly.

There are very few really awesome communicators in the world. Funny how several people can interpret the same message differently.  AND there are hundreds of different ways to communicate the same message.  No wonder we misinterpret, get our feelings hurt and assume too many things.

Through some of this change, I’ve realized the importance of communication and thought I’d pass it along.

1. Don’t assume- Thinking of combining groups or removing a program? As a leader, you have the authority to do those things, but consider getting input from those who will be directly affected. Don’t assume that everyone understands your vision. Communicate your vision in several different ways. Talk about it on Sunday morning. Send an email during the week. Talk to individual “influencers” within the group so they can help spread the word.
2. Start a Conversation- Get input from the leaders within your group on changes you want to see within the group. Maybe you already have an end goal in sight, but you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a few people willing to get to that goal with you.  As much as we don’t want to admit it, everyone is human and the lack of communication often breeds negative feelings toward the leaders in the group and toward the overall vision.
3. Remember it’s not YOUR Vision-  Unless you’re flying solo and know how to lead a group better than God, then the vision you have is probably not self-given. Hopefully, God gave it to you and wants to use you to bring him glory and accomplish his goal for the group. Get people talking about the vision God has placed on your heart and let Him change their hearts.

What other advice would you have for churches going through change?

pic By The Library of Congress

I found a couple below that offer free listings for churches.

USAChurches.org – a directory of churches that enables a user to search for church in a specific city and for a specific denomination.  Fill out an online form with your church’s information and you’re ready to go.

ChurchSeek.Net – This directory doesn’t have custom search forms, but a list of churches by denomination. From there you choose the state where you’re looking for a church and continue to narrow it down that way.

Think Local- Check your local area for places or directories to list your church. These are probably much more useful than country-wide directories as it narrows down the search options for the user.

And as always, Facebook is probably one of the best directories for churches, however, the person searching for your church will have to know the specific name of your church, whereas directories allow a user to search for all churches in a specific area. You might consider both options.

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