Pinched Paychecks

About half the nation’s full-time pastors report they received no salary increase in the past year, continuing a downturn in salaries among top leaders in churches, according to a new survey published by Christianity Today International. In fact, the extensive survey, publishing this fall in the 2010-2011 Compensation Handbook for Church Staff, shows a slight decline or stall in pay levels for the majority of every church employee surveyed this year.

The Compensation Handbook was developed to provide church leaders and employees with a current and reliable picture of compensation practices across a broad spectrum of American churches. It presents survey data from nearly 5,000 churches representing more than 10,000 staff members in 13 ministry positions, both full-time and part-time, ranging from pastors to childcare positions. The survey was conducted in February and March from subscribers of various Christianity Today International magazines, e-newsletters, and web channels, including Church Law & Tax Report, Church Finance Today, and Leadership, a journal for pastors and church leaders.

Among the findings:
• After a slight bump up in salaries in 2008, the new survey finds a small decline reported in 2009.

• Tenure provides little impact on the economic benefit to pastors who serve as their congregation’s only clergy person until they have exceeded 15 years of service.
• Women clergy, though smaller in numbers than men, showed a few financial gains, but overall, women’s income still trails their male counterparts primarily in full-time positions.

Fewer raises, smaller salaries

The total compensation for all lead pastors (combined solo and senior pastors’ data), including housing, insurance, and retirement benefits, was down about 2.4% to an average $70,806. The average for senior pastors who lead multiple pastoral staff declined about one-half of 1% to $80,745, compared to the solo pastors’ average of $56,189, down about 6.6%. According to these figures, the average solo pastor lost more than $300 per month in salary and benefits last year.

“One of my church compensation-related concerns,” says Dan Busby, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, “is that fringe benefits are often cut along with salaries. Because many fringe benefits are tax-free or tax-deferred, there is a multiplier impact when some benefits are cut (such as church provided health insurance). First, church staff must pay the costs formerly covered by the church and then the costs must be paid from after-tax dollars instead of pre-tax dollars. In many instances, it is better stewardship to reduce pay and maintain full fringe benefits instead of cutting fringe benefits and sustaining pay levels.”

As in previous years, regional differences are reflected in the study, as are the effects of congregation size and location. In general, churches in the Central-Southeast and Mountain regions reported lower compensation than the overall averages, while salaries in New England and the Northeastern states were above average. As expected, smaller churches, especially those in rural areas and small cities, reported lower salaries. The exceptions, in most cases, were the rare churches dotting the countryside that have attendance of 1,000 or more worshipers per weekend. Their compensation packages more closely matched their large counterparts in suburban and urban settings.

“While offerings remained relatively steady for many churches through 2008,” says Busby, “by early 2009, churches began feeling the impact of rising unemployment in the offering plates. The impact on salaries, shown by this survey, is simply part of the larger picture of the effect of the economy on churches.”

Ron Smedley, president of Synergistic Resource Associates (SRA), a full-service human resource/ development consulting firm in California, concurs.

“Ministries, churches, marketplace organizations—no one has been spared the challenges that come with a down economy,” he says. “Before we cut wages and lay off staff, we must first problem solve, explore and analyze using the two key rules of stewardship: Does everything that we do have meaning, and are we giving the right amount to receive maximum results?”

As churches increasingly look for ways to balance their books (see the Executive Summary for the 2009 Church Budget Priorities Survey on www.yourchurch.net), Smedley challenges churches to take a holistic approach to strategy and stewardship.

“Excellence today must have new meaning as we organize our resources,” he says. “Should there be sacrifice of wages ‘for the sake of ministry’? Or should there be a sense of caring and providing for our leaders and workers to ensure that they are free to pursue ministry objectives without the burden of wondering whether they’re going to be able to pay their mortgage or afford health insurance for their family?”

Flying solo

Long-time service to a single congregation produces little financial gain for solo pastors. Unlike most other staff positions reported in this survey, including senior pastors, executive pastors, and worship ministry leaders, solo pastors notice little salary increase based on tenure until they eclipse the 15 year mark. In all other categories, the minister’s education levels, church attendance, budget, and the church’s location, affect the pastor’s total compensation.

Solo pastors who have served their current church less than six years report median total compensation of $54,941, while solo pastors employed in their current churches 11 to 15 years report median compensation of $54,921. The averages show a slightly wider range, but the implication is the same: the percentage of a church’s budget given to the pastor’s salary is unaffected by the pastor’s tenure. The solo pastor is more likely to get a raise by pursuing an advanced degree and moving to a larger church in a more prosperous region than by waiting for his or her current congregation to reward years of faithful service.

Smedley adds, “If a person in a small company wants to receive more money, typically the way to accomplish is to pursue new skills sets and/or an advance degree, and move on to a larger company, similar to what a solo pastor needs to do to increase his or her earnings. The economic reality of small organizations, whether a church or a business, is that if you do not have the money coming in, you cannot pay someone more.”

Women pastors make few gains

While women account for only 8% of full-time solo pastors in this survey, their total compensation packages are almost on par with their male counterparts, averaging only $475 less than the male solo pastors’ $56,240 total annual package. That near-parity stands in stark contrast to the salaries of female senior pastors leading multi-pastor churches. Only 2% of senior-pastor respondents in this survey were female. They served much smaller churches than male senior pastors (173 worship attenders on average, compared to 415 for male senior pastors) and earned substantially smaller salaries ($60,798 total compensation, compared to $81,134 for male senior pastors). The female senior pastors had served less time with their current congregations (7 years, compared to 10 years for male senior pastors).

Women account for a larger share of part-time church staff, particularly in administration, music, and children’s ministries. In almost every staff position, men draw higher incomes than women in the same jobs. While the majority of full-time children’s ministry leaders in this survey are female, the relatively few full-time males in these positions receive total compensation about 28% higher than females. Full-time male youth pastors (who far outnumber females in the position) were paid $51,616 total compensation, compared to $40,021 for full-time female youth pastors. Women have made gains in part-time youth ministry. It should be noted that one in three part-time youth pastors is female, and their compensation is on par with that of the male part-timers.

“Traditionally women have been paid less,” Smedley notes. “If women and men are carrying out the same job description with the same seniority, and the same education and experience, why should she not be paid the same wages for the same position? Churches need to be above reproach and take care of the core needs of their pastors, regardless of their gender.”

Who makes how much?

The 2010-2011 Compensation Handbook for Church Staff reports salary, benefits, and total compensation packages for 13 ministry positions cross-tabulated by church size, budget, region, setting, and by the staff members education level, tenure, and gender. Based on all-new surveys and published annually, this comprehensive reference work has served as the standard for tracking national and regional trends for ten years. Thousands of churches use the Compensation Handbook as a respected guide for establishing salary and benefits for ministers and church staff. The new edition is available on www.YourChurchResources.com, or by calling 1-800-222-1840.

Reading the Fine Print

The deal sounded good.

About 50 churches in the Washington, D.C., area leased interactive electronic kiosks for their entrance areas so that members and visitors could check on activities and news and register for classes and meetings. The selling point? Church leaders say the kiosks were presented to them as “cost-free,” with the chance for their churches to potentially earn revenue from advertisers interested in reaching church audiences.

But in April, a lawsuit filed against three commercial leasing firms, an online services firm, and an interfaith digital network services firm by the District of Columbia churches suggested the deal wasn’t a good one. The churches say they received lengthy—and costly—leases and faulty equipment, as well as fees and termination expenses. All told, the lawsuit estimates hundreds of thousands of dollars in combined losses for the churches.

Officials from at least two of the firms deny the allegations. News reports indicate that the companies must prove the charges and expenses were disclosed—in the “fine print”—even as the equipment was advertised as cost-free.

The situation underscores why it’s important for church leaders to review any contract before signing it. Legal experts concede that contracts and agreements can be tough to navigate, but necessary to do nonetheless.

“One insurance coverage contract I reviewed was over a thousand pages long,” says Frank Sommerville, a Christian attorney based in Houston. “There was a lot of complex language surrounding liability coverage and exclusions, and that could create a lot of potential issues for the church.”

Church leaders don’t want to find themselves on the wrong end of a deal. Details really do matter. For that reason, it may be especially important to secure an attorney’s help with reviewing larger contracts. In addition, these seven items are important to remember when it comes to reviewing purchasing and leasing deals:

1) Amendment and waiver provisions. Church leaders need to know whether there is any flexibility in contract provisions should there be a change in operating needs or conditions. For example, a church may need to renegotiate the terms of a bank loan repayment schedule due to the impact of the recession. Can the repayment terms or the monthly payment be renegotiated? If so, on what terms and by what processes? Amendments and waivers usually are at the discretion of the property-holder or debt-holder. Those typically are the parties who can change terms and disclose them through a revised agreement copy sent to the debtor or lessee—with no guarantee that all parties will benefit. Contract language and terms also change when an original business party to the contract is merged with, or purchased by, another company if the contracts allows.

2) Interest, fees, and penalties. Credit card holders discovered in recent years that interest rates, credit limits and late-payment fees can be changed with minimal or no notice. The language was contained in the fine print of credit agreements—which few, if any, read. Recent legislation, signed by the president, will modify these practices within the next year. Investment fees for market investments may have brokerage fees and account management expenses built into transaction agreements. Equipment leases may require a noncompetitive service agreement at an annual cost. Contracts also may include provisions that lead to three possible types of penalties: fees for late payments, fees for nonsufficient funds, and fees or charges for a failure to abide by all of the terms of the agreement.

3) Loss, damage, and liability. Contracts can hold a church liable for loss or damage to equipment due to improper use, negligence, or failure to comply with all contract terms.

Insurers, for instance, may require specific training in sexual harassment prevention, or background checks for youth workers, or safety and security training. If an incident occurs, the insurer may require proof of policy compliance in order for the liability coverage to be in effect. Specific riders—an additional amount of insurance coverage specific to a piece of equipment or property that, if damaged, could jeopardize future insurance coverage—may be required by insurers to cover potential extraordinary losses. Church risk reductions and safety policies may be required by the insurer. When providing insurance coverage for financial transactions, additional insurance may be required for those involved in church finances, and best practices may have to be demonstrated should a church file an embezzlement claim.

4) Exclusions. Contracts also may include exclusions of certain services or materials. One church contracted with a construction firm to build an educational wing adjacent to the sanctuary. Upon completion, church leaders were aghast at the condition of the interior as well as the grounds. In the exclusionary language, the contractor stated that the company did not provide landscaping or interior decorating.

Some churches located in areas prone to hurricanes and floods have discovered that property insurers excluded flood damage, and that hurricanes were considered “acts of God,” which were not covered.

5) Termination or default of agreement. Early termination of an agreement can create an enormous expense—as cell phone users have discovered after signing promotional agreements. Charles Watkins, a Christian attorney with Webster Chamberlain & Bean in Washington, D.C., says that a copier lease is a good example of termination restrictions. “Typically, this type of lease is for a fixed term. If you decide that this copier is not serving your needs, you still have to pay for the balance of the term. That can be costly.” Early termination of a cell phone contract can present similar problems. “When you sign up at a promotional rate, you sign for a guaranteed term of the contract—usually two years,” Watkins says. “That’s how they make all their all their money. With early termination, usually there is a substantial fee.”

6) Noncompete clauses. Contract language may require that the church use a specific product or service provider for maintenance or support. Those expenses can add up, but are necessary for compliance with contract terms.

7) Nonperformance clauses. Contracts may specify how either party may handle complaints about product or service delivery. One church contracted with a professional organ installation specialist to get a new instrument into operation by a specific date, but the work was not even close to completion when the date arrived. The contractor apologized and promised a new date, but wanted to be paid in full for the services already delivered. The church withheld payment and demanded completion to avoid litigation. The installer finally was motivated to complete the work according to specifications.

Before the Contract Comes

The fine print in contracts can be costly and can cause major administrative headaches in the local church. Legal experts recommend that churches engage in some best practices regarding contract administration. These should include the following:

Create a contract review policy. Know the people who are authorized to negotiate the contract. Frank Sommerville says that churches will often appoint a person or a committee to review contracts involving larger financial commitments, but often bypass less significant deals. “A good procedure is to review all contracts, with different types of review at different levels,” he says. It is equally important, he says, to know the people who are negotiating the contract. “The character of the people you are doing business with should be able to help you understand contract terms and to make sure that, if there is a problem, you have solutions.” If problems or concerns develop, people with integrity will try to work them out in a fair manner. “The paper of a contract is only as good as the character of the people behind it,” he says.

Engage in competitive bidding. Watkins says that this process reflects good stewardship of resources. “This is especially important when negotiating with people who have relationships with church member or board members,” he says. Even if there is no direct relationship to the congregation, multiple bids for larger contracts can provide comparisons for costs, services, and contract requirements.

Put all contracts in writing. Watkins says that churches must move away from oral or “handshake” agreements for products and services. “Relationships are rightly grace-based, but when someone agrees to perform service for a price, writing is important because you want expectations to be clear,” he says. If there are problems, a written agreement helps both parties understand what corrective action, if any, needs to be taken.

High Tech, Low Budget

In ministry, one can define stewardship as “maximizing the impact of every dollar.” In this economy, this definition takes on even greater meaning. And as the pastor of a small rural church, I have experienced this reality firsthand. Yet, even with added financial difficulties, I cannot forget that the above definition still includes the word “impact.” Our spending, regardless the amount, must make a difference.

One area often caught between stewardship and impact is technology. In my church, I have found that a little bit of technology goes a long way. Yet, the cost presents a formidable challenge to our budget. Unwilling to forgo the impact, I have tried to find creative ways to add technology without adding the typical high costs. Though not profound, the result of my efforts is five effective ideas for becoming high tech on a low budget.

1. Take Inventory

As I began taking inventory, I wanted to explore areas for technological improvement. With the need to be cost-conscious, I thoroughly reviewed our current stock. Taking inventory revealed several instances where we didn’t use things we already owned. Two examples come to mind.

First, our children’s ministry needed a system for notifying parents during the service. Years ago, we bought a set of pagers, but they gradually deteriorated. After considering comparable systems, I found that everything was priced well beyond our means. But after reviewing the features of our projection software, SongShow Plus, I discovered a text messaging toolbar. We could easily display a child’s assigned number on the worship screen, giving us a no-cost solution.

Secondly, as most churches do, we often use performance tracks during the service. Cueing the track with a CD player worked, but sometimes errors occurred. Sunday morning tech volunteers occasionally struggled switching their focus from the projection software to the CD player. But during my exploration of SongShow Plus, I learned it could import and use audio files. All we had to do was burn the performance tracks from the CD and move them into SongShow Plus. Now, a single mouse click begins the track, meaning we no longer need to transition from the computer to the CD player and back to the computer. Once more, taking inventory led to a no-cost technological improvement.

2. Select Inexpensive Upgrades

Following my inventory, I began to consider various technology upgrades supported by our presentation software. Two inexpensive upgrades have significantly improved our Sunday morning presentation.

For instance, I saw that, with the right Bible software, we could import scripture directly into our slides without retyping or cutting and pasting. This creates advantages in other areas as well, particularly in sermon preparation and in the creation of our sermon outlines. To make this upgrade, we could choose among several expensive, big-name Bible programs. Or, for less than $40, we could buy the Online Bible (www.onlinebible.net), which offers numerous translations, providing a full-feature upgrade at a fraction of the cost.

Another inexpensive upgrade: the AoA DVD Ripper (www.aoamedia.com). For $35, it easily pulls movie clips directly off of DVDs. Of particular value, this ripper allows you to cut a movie scene at pre-defined starting and ending points—some rippers only allow you to cut whole chapters. This is a significant improvement when it comes to using movie clips in sermon illustrations.

In the past, a Sunday morning tech volunteer switched from the computer to a stand-alone DVD player to show a clip. To eliminate such a switch, I discovered that SongShow Plus could play a clip directly by interacting with our computer’s DVD player. But that still was impractical because of the work needed to call up the precise starting and ending points of the clip I wanted to play. The AoA DVD Ripper allows me to rip the exact scene I want from a DVD onto a disc; the disc gets inserted into our computer’s DVD player, and then a volunteer uses SongShow Plus to play it the moment I need it.

3. Use Open Source

Of course, free is an attractive price for any budget. In this regard, nothing beats open source software—software developed out of a public collaboration and available at no charge. Two stable, and highly valuable, pieces of open source software are G.I.M.P. and Audacity.

G.I.M.P. (www.gimp.org) is a wonderful graphic design tool for manipulating pictures—without question, this tool has made a remarkable impact on our visual appeal. For churches, it can design first-rate images for sermon series, brochures, and outreach material. Getting accustomed to G.I.M.P. takes some time, but complete help files are available online.

Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) is a free audio editor and recorder. When I started at my church, we recorded sermons on tape. It worked, but the process was antiquated and increasingly impractical. I wanted to begin digitally taping the messages. After a quick search on the internet I learned how to connect our desktop to our soundboard, but we still needed software to record the audio. The solution was Audacity, an incredibly easy tool to use. Our Sunday morning tech volunteers only need to know how to press record and stop. With only the download of a quick plug-in, Audacity also permits exporting of the audio in MP3 format, ideal for uploading files onto our website.

4. Buy Previous Editions

Perhaps one of the simplest ways to save money on technology software involves buying previous editions. Older software often only lacks a few of the features of its latest counterparts—but typically costs less. Many times, the new features add little to the practical value of the product. While this approach offers numerous opportunities, the greatest value for us has been in obtaining quality photographs for backgrounds. Broderbund’s Print Shop contains hundreds of professional level, high-resolution images. Broderbund currently markets Print Shop version 23, however version 21 can be obtained on Amazon for less than $10. Though rather clunky and unstable, the value of the software lies in its images. In fact, we don’t use Print Shop’s publishing features. Instead, we find an image from Print Shop’s gallery and then copy and paste it into G.I.M.P. for editing. Within a few minutes, we have inexpensive, great-looking sermon promotions for the internet, PowerPoint presentations, and lobby posters.

5. Watch for Rebates

In the competitive world of technology, manufacturers constantly try to stir up business or reduce inventory by offering rebates. Rarely do I visit an office store that does not have some brand of memory, peripherals, or software deeply discounted by rebates. As for the software, these rebates do not typically hit the big-name tools, but at a lower price, the lesser names still quite adequately function. Recently I purchased VideoShow Expressions, a movie-making software, for $10 after a $40 mail-in rebate. No one will mistake it for Adobe Premiere Elements, but it is user-friendly and affordable.

Rebates can save significant money, yet who wants to spend the time searching for those deals? Well, instead of collecting Sunday circulars or spending hours surfing websites, bookmark DealsOfAmerica.com. DealsOfAmerica.com searches all the big name technology retailers and lists their deals for you. A short time ago I added a new DVD burner to our production computer for only $25 and picked up a pair of wireless outdoor speakers for less than $80. Beginning with DealsOfAmerica.com saves time and money.

Find the balance

Being a good steward of our church finances can be difficult. Yet technology should not be ignored, despite its costs. Stewardship requires spending money carefully but also effectively, and we live in a technological age. When used properly, technology makes an impact. For many churches, a balance can be struck by looking for low-cost ways to add technology. These five inexpensive ideas may not bring a technological revolution, but they can significantly improve the appearance and functionality of your church’s worship environment.

High-tech does not have to mean high price.

The 2010 Wish-List

Despite the lingering effects of the current economic maelstrom, next year’s church budget will soon become reality, and the need to disperse funds will be here.

Since a church budget should be assembled and managed wisely, it helps to know where trends are headed and how they affect resource effectiveness. For example, spending money on digital signs in the lobby may be a better investment than upgrading the paper quality of the bulletin, since many people have become acclimated to information video displays in airports and shopping malls and often prefer to receive data digitally.

Technology trends, then, give at least a general course directive on how to allocate funds and, while not a panacea, provide a useful tool in the service of worship when appropriately applied.

Here, then, are five current developments your church may find helpful as it considers purchases and next year’s budget:

1. Curved wide format video screens. The recent revival of 3-D movies is fueling the trend toward immersive video experiences. New computer control of stereo imagery, featuring improved depth perception and peripheral content, is behind the recent spate of 3-D film releases. In conjunction with steady stereo imagery, 3-D has benefited from improvements in screen aspect and materials. In place of the 4:3 ratio derived from analog television, the current video trend is to go wide format, (roughly 16:10 or greater) to better align with the human visual standard. To heighten the impact, such manufacturers as Da-Lite, Draper, and Stewart are introducing curved super-wide format screens in a bid to create an enveloping visual experience.

For churches, the best advice is to consider the viability of a wide format screen within the current stage layout. Look at potential impediments to sightlines across the seating area; also look to see if there is enough height above the platform to install the screen without interfering with the lighting, audio, and HVAC systems.

If the physical requirements are met, the next issue is content. Since a single projector cannot typically deliver the entire wide format image, multiple units are usually tied together seamlessly with edge-blending technology. For churches that can’t afford edge-blending technology yet, curved wide format screens still may be installed and used as the canvas for a montage of images. For instance, many churches are using a single wide screen to deliver the sermon notes, pertinent diagrams, comparative scripture versions, and the sermon series icon simultaneously to the congregation. Then, when the funds are available, the edge-blending tools can be bought and incorporated.

2. Worship planning software. In the past two years, software designed solely for orders of worship has filled the marketplace. From Worship Planning Online to Service Designer, ChurchAssist to ServiceBuilder, the newest versions of these programs are able to simplify and organize any type and size of music ministry.

Though not a substitute for prayerful planning or skillful execution, these software offerings do provide a means of corralling the diverse issues surrounding a service of worship into palatable segments. The programs also deliver a simple method of assigning people to tasks best suited to their abilities while allowing for quick substitutions when illness or circumstances arise. In the near future, worship planning software will integrate with lyrics display, visual sermon assistants, and media system protocols to provide a one-step approach to service logistics. Though they are similar in purpose, the available programs differ in complexity, thoroughness of detail, and payment method, with some bought outright, others licensed based on use, and still others offered SAS (Software As a Service) with every component done online.

3. Twitter and texting during the sermon. Though not instantly recognizable as a large-ticket budget item for 2010, Direct Interaction Devices (DID) soon may become near requirements in many congregations due to their ability to grant the congregation a real-time means of connecting to the pastor during the sermon.

If, for instance, the sermon is on marriage issues, a spouse who feels uncomfortable speaking with a church counselor can text a query to the pastor during the service. Or, if the minister brings out a trigger point, the congregation can respond anonymously and truthfully to a sensitive topic.

The best way to control the process and assure privacy is by purchasing a Go Phone or other expendable cell phone and a month’s worth of unlimited texting. During the sermon, the phone number is displayed on the video screen and attendees are encouraged to text in their questions and comments. A trusted ministerial staff member then monitors the phone and forwards appropriate content to the speaking pastor’s on-stage phone, where the questions can be answered live. Questions not addressed in the service can be answered during the week on the church’s blog. At the end of the series, the phone and its contents can be destroyed, ensuring privacy for everyone involved.

4. Roland V-Piano. Every once in a while, a game-changing instrument comes along to alter the course of church music. The V-Piano is one such instrument, since it possesses the heart and detail of the finest grand concert piano in the body of an affordable, portable enclosure. More than simply an updated digital piano, the V-Piano uses a “living core” to bring out the nuances of an acoustic while preserving the stability and changeable format of a digital. By avoiding sampling (short snippets of recorded information) the V-Piano is not limited to a predetermined set of sounds, and instead is able to create the unique character of dozens of instruments with unparalleled authenticity. The addition of Roland’s superb PHA-III keyboard action system and a stellar pedal arrangement combine to make the V-Piano a solid investment for any church looking to improve the tone of its keyboard department.

5. Auralex SonicPrint. The benefits of acoustic panels are well known: speech intelligibility goes up while noise and garbled music disappear. Unfortunately, the bland look of acoustic treatment dissuades many churches from pursuing the goal of improved sound. Now, however, Auralex has introduced sound control as art in the form of its SonicPrint line of panels. With a newly developed process, Auralex is able to print almost any image onto the panel without negatively affecting its sonic performance. For churches, the possibilities range from stained glass emulation to graphic impressions of highlights in local church history. The panels are available in sizes ranging from 24-inch by 24-inch to 24-foot by 48-foot, and are preceded by the company’s free Room Analysis Form to provide the best use of the panels in a given environment.

What Computers and Phones Do Church Staff Need?

Editor’s Note: The author’s consulting firm doesn’t sell or distribute any hardware or software, or receive any compensation for referrals. The firm’s work for many years with hundreds of churches led to the recommendations outlined here.

Many people make one of two mistakes about church technology needs. Either they underestimate the need and look for the cheapest possible solution (which often costs more because it’s the wrong solution), or they overspend on technology and overcomplicate the system.

We’ll look at some common questions regarding two office technology tools—desktop and notebook computers and mobile devices (such as smart phones)—with the hope that church leaders can avoid these mistakes on two essential categories of purchases.

Outside of megachurches, churches rarely have the budget for Information Technology staff. Some larger churches can add part-time staff to help support the technology needs of pastors and office personnel, but outside of that, most churches are best served by simple system and hardware strategies that increase reliability, which means less need for support.

When hardware purchases are strategized, they can drastically reduce the need for support and improve team productivity. And that’s especially important given our missions to share the Gospel and disciple believers.

The answers to these questions can help with those strategies for buying hardware:

Computers

Is it better to buy locally built computers or name-brand ones?

Locally built computers often seem more attractive than name-brand computers. The price looks attractive, and if technical support is needed, then someone nearby should be able to work on the computer.

But neither assumption usually is true.

Though locally built computers often are built with the best of intentions, few local computer builders have research and development (R&D) budgets that can ensure that each component—even if meticulously selected as the best of its kind—works well together. Thus, they often have higher failure rates.

But not all name brands are created equal. Some name brands haven’t any more R&D in them than locally built systems. Thus some name brands are little more than locally built systems with national distribution.

How often should we upgrade our computers?

It is wise to budget to replace a percentage of your computers every year. Doing so is a lot easier to accomplish than waiting until your systems are all too old to run current software and you have to replace all of them at the same time.

Regarding upgrades, here are some issues to consider:

• At what point do your computers start slowing down your team? Personnel costs are typically the highest, or second highest, part of a church’s budget. If your team members lose even 10 minutes per day because of older technology, replacements are overdue. (Based on our math, 10 minutes lost per workday for a staff member with $40,000 in annual salary plus benefits equates to $1,000 lost—more than the cost of a new desktop!)
• Can your computers run current operating systems and software?
• Are you spending too much time to support your older computers?

With those thoughts in mind, we recommend replacing desktop and notebook computers at the rate of at least 25 percent each year. When new systems are purchased, we recommend distributing them as follows:

• Power Users. Give the new computers to the users that need the most computing power (uses include graphics, database maintenance, and accounting).
• Average Users. Give the power users’ old computers to those who have average computing power needs (uses include word processing).
• Nominal Users. Give the average users’ old computers to those who don’t use the computer as much (uses include email and internet browsing).

What do users want in their office computers?

Two things:

• Features. Church team members want systems that are reliable, can run up-to-date operating systems (Windows version) and software, and don’t cause them to fatigue early in the workday (like from fuzzy displays). (A note about Windows: Windows Vista has not been adopted by most corporations, and for good reason. We are testing the pre-release of its successor, Windows 7, and it shows great promise. We hope it will be solid and ready to adopt when released.)

• Ministry impact. Church team members want features that improve their ability to achieve their ministry goals. That may include:

o The ability to connect to networked resources (such as printers and scanners) and to the internet;
o Store data reliably for future use;
o Have email and other communication tools, and safety mechanisms to protect them from the time-sapping effects of malicious programs embedded in some websites, emails, and files.

What do you recommend for desktop computers?

Desktop computers are non-portable computers used by team members who always work in the office. They often have faster processors than notebooks (portable computers, also known as laptops) because of their superior ability to disperse heat from the processor chipset. They also usually cost a lot less than notebooks.

Most of our clients buy Dell Optiplex desktop computers. The Optiplex line is Dell’s enterprise desktop computer, meaning it has more R&D to achieve higher reliability on corporate networks. Our basic church desktop spec is an Optiplex 760:

• 2.8 Ghz Intel Dual Core processor;
• 2-gigabyte RAM;
• 80-gigabyte hard drive;
• Gigabit Network Interface Card (NIC);
• 17-inch flat panel monitor;
• Keyboard;
• Optical mouse;
• Windows XP Pro SP3.

Dell includes a three-year, next-day, on-site warranty, taking you out of the hardware support business (which saves lots of time and money). This desktop spec costs about $865 (as of June 2009).

What do you recommend for notebook computers?

Dell has the lead in the notebook market too. Our current minimum spec is the Dell Latitude E6400:

• 4.3 pounds;
• 2.53 Intel Dual Core processor;
• 2-gigabyte RAM;
• 160-gigabyte hard drive;
• 14.1-inch WXGA monitor;
• Gigabit NIC;
• WiFi;
• Bluetooth;
• Webcam;
• Backlit keyboard;
• DVD player;
• Spare A/C adapter;
• WinXP Pro SP3 with a three-year, next-day, on-site warranty including accident coverage.

This notebook spec costs about $1,560 (as of June 2009).

For those wanting something a little smaller and lighter, consider the Dell Latitude E4200:

• 2.2 pounds;
• 1.4 Intel Dual Core processor;
• 2-gigabyte RAM;
• 64-gigabyte solid state hard drive;
• 12.1-inch WXGA monitor;
• Gigabit NIC;
• WiFi;
• Bluetooth;
• Backlit keyboard;
• DVD player;
• Spare A/C Adapter;
• WinXP Pro SP3 with a three-year, next-day, on-site warranty including accident coverage.

This notebook spec costs about $1,650 (as of June 2009). Though smaller and lighter, this notebook is still a solid network computer.

What about Macs?

I prefer the MacBook Pro notebooks to Apple’s standard notebooks because of the extra engineering that goes into them. If you’re a member of a large association, such as the Willow Creek Association, you can buy Macs for significantly less than the online Apple store or the Apple store in the mall.

What about netbook computers?

Netbook computers are much smaller than notebook computers. Some of their characteristics include undersized keyboards and monitors, less powerful processors, and fewer connection ports for printers and other devices. The advantages of netbook computers are that they’re very light (1½ to 3 pounds) and usually very inexpensive ($150 to $550). They’re not good network computers, but they can be very helpful portable systems for those who travel a lot and want internet access. If you want to do much more than that, we recommend you bump up to the Dell E4200, a notebook that weighs the same as many netbook computers.

Smart Phones

What do smart phones offer church staff members?

Smart phones, such as the iPhone, can make some of the tools we like on our computers very portable.

Smart phones are challenging to recommend, however, because each brand and/or model is typically only offered with one cellular carrier. For instance, the Apple iPhone is only available to AT&T customers, the Google G1 is only available to T-Mobile customers, and the PalmPre is only available to Sprint customers. This marketing strategy is unfortunate because it doesn’t allow consumers to look for the device that best meets their needs and have it activated on their network. Instead, consumers often are bound by contract to a cellular carrier and thus must look to the best solution offered by their carrier.

The smart phone with the most applications that meet consumers’ needs is the most likely to win in the marketplace. Currently that device is the Apple iPhone—but if your church is not an AT&T customer, or it isn’t willing to switch to AT&T, it’s not an option for you.

What features should a smart phone include?

We suggest the following:

• QWERTY Keyboard. That’s the standard U.S. computer keyboard layout;
• Email System Synchronization. The ability to synchronize with your corporate email system, such as Outlook/Exchange, is very helpful. This can include emails, contacts, tasks, calendars, and more. Look for the ability to select which of these modules (email, calander, etc) will synchronize so you can turn off emails if you find that including them doesn’t let you get away from the office.
• Files. The ability to create text documents on your smart phone and then synchronize them to your computer system can be very helpful. It can even eliminate the need to carry a notebook or netbook computer.
• Church Management System. CMS database companies are increasing the ability for smart phones to securely access their databases so authorized users can look up congregation members, post attendance, and more.
• Text Messaging. Most phones—smart or otherwise—can do this today. There is a growing segment of most church congregations—and not just the youth—that want to communicate via text messaging and similar technologies, such as Twitter. QWERTY keyboards make this much easier, but make sure your cellular plan includes a generous amount of texting so you’re not surprised when you get your statement.

How much can we expect to pay for a smart phone device? Are there bulk discounts we should pursue?

Some carriers offer discounts to customers that exceed a minimum number of cellular phone lines. It never hurts to ask, but make sure you’re talking with a representative that specializes in corporate accounts. Those representatives that only deal with consumer accounts may not know the options available to you.

4 Reasons NOT to Cut Conferences

During tough economic times, many churches are looking at cutting all travel for training and events, but that may not be the wisest decision. Here’s why:

Care. The church is about people caring for people, so your most important resource is people! They need to be trained and equipped to not only care, but guard and protect. They need to know how to identify young leaders and raise them up. They need to develop an eye for gifting and calling as well as those on the margins. Investing in people is one of the best investments you can make.

Creativity. Conferences and events are a great way to infuse your staff with engaging, innovative ideas and energy. Many events offer workshops and practical advice on how to handle the challenges of economy as well as do big things on small budgets. In addition, conferences often provide a gold mine of best practices. Skipping out may cost you more in the long haul.

Communication. Conferences and events provide your staff with a common language. Staff members sometimes struggle to put into words what they want to see changed or developed in their church. When staff members attend events together, they develop a common vocabulary and shared experiences, which are critical ingredients for innovation, growing a team, and developing a healthy congregation.

Close proximity. More conferences and events are looking for regional options in 2009 and 2010. Like Passion a few years back, more events, including Catalyst, are looking at more regional, coastal, and one-day events. That means you may be within driving distance to an enriching event—saving time and money. Keep your eyes open for events and conferences in and near your area and encourage staff to attend. In addition, keep an eye out for conferences and events that offer online attendance options or let you purchase DVDs and CDs to share with your staff.

More than ever, now is a time to embrace best practices, innovative ideas, and the encouragement of gathering with others facing similar challenges in ministry.

Making Comparisons for Church Purchases

As a consumer in the marketplace, a local church faces the inevitability of making purchasing choices. Ford or Chevy? Plain or peanut? A lot or a little?

Wise choices are made from informed methods of comparison shopping. Executive pastors and church administrators identified these key principles to help your church make the right decision every time.

Conduct online research. The internet makes comparison shopping far easier today than in previous years. Search engines are helpful, along with organizational websites, such as the National Association of Church Business Administration’s Ultimate Guide to Church Supplies (http://ultimatechurchsuppliersguide.com/index.php).

Network. Call and email people in other churches who have responsibility for making buying decisions, especially if these churches are similar in size. Ask which products and services they use and probe for their levels of satisfaction.

Ask for samples. Try before you buy. Ask the vendor to deliver a sample for the opportunity to test the item in your church. For some items, such as chairs, ask for one chair each from three or more companies and then compare them.

Identify the “hidden” costs. The list price to purchase or lease a piece of equipment is not the only cost to consider. Go deeper and identify the total operating cost. Calculate the costs of service contracts, warranties, and insurance into your bottom-line figure.

Don’t be dazzled by the brand. Find an off-brand that can perform the same functions at the same level of quality as the big-name brand.

Know your needs before buying. Clearly identify how your church will actually use the item or service. With this knowledge, you can eliminate the unnecessary features of a product and target your shopping.

Keep comparing. The decision to go with one vendor or shop at one store should not be for eternity. Periodically review your buying procedures and be alert for changing prices and markets.

Slow down. Nothing will justify buyer’s remorse more than discovering a better deal on an item after you have purchased the same item from someone else. Take time to ask questions, make comparisons and conduct the research. Never purchase on impulse.

Matt Branaugh

Matt Branaugh is director of editorial for Christianity Today International's church management publications and resources. His current duties include editing the Church Law & Tax Report and Church Finance Today newsletters, ChurchLawAndTax.com, and ManagingYourChurch.com, as well as leading an editorial team of four people. He also writes the Church Law & Tax Update, Church Finance Update, and Church Management Update e-newsletters, and the "Office Toolkit" column for Leadership Journal.

He is passionate about equipping and energizing church pastors, business administrators, and executive pastors with the principles and tools that help them more effectively serve. Beyond this, he actively serves in his local church.

Follow his updates on Twitter (@MattBranaugh), as well as his daily and real-time news feeds on church management and leadership matters through Scoop.it (http://www.scoop.it/t/church-management) and Paper.li (http://paper.li/MattBranaugh/church-management#).

Marian Liautaud

Marian V. Liautaud is the editor for Church Management Resources at Christianity Today International. Her position includes serving as editor for a variety of books, publications, websites, and e-newsletters, including ChurchSafety.com, the annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide, Reducing the Risk: Keeping Your Ministry Safe from Child Sexual Abuse, and the biannual Compensation Handbook for Church Staff. She also edits GiftedForLeadership.com, a blog about women and ministry leadership, and special book and Bible projects.

Marian has edited dozens of books and written numerous articles. She is a member of the National Association of Church Business Administration.

Richard R. Hammar

Richard Hammar is senior editorial advisor for Church Law & Tax Report, and Church Finance Today. He serves as legal counsel to the Assembly of God denomination. He is an attorney and CPA, specializing in legal and tax issues for churches and clergy. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he is the author of more than 100 books, including the annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide, the Compensation Handbook for Church Staff, and his landmark work, Reducing the Risk: Keeping Your Ministry Safe from Child Sexual Abuse. In 2009, Richard Hammar became a Registered Parliamentarian by successfully completing a qualifying examination administered by the National Association of Parliamentarians. He joins the ranks of 270 other Registered Parliamentarians in the United States.

Richard also serves as senior editor of Church Law & Tax Report and Church Finance Today newsletters, and he is a frequent speaker at legal and tax conferences.

Mike Batts

Mike Batts is the founder and managing shareholder of Batts, Morrison, Wales & Lee, P.A., a CPA firm dedicated exclusively to serving nonprofit organizations and their affiliates. He chairs the board of both the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and The Master's Academy of Central Florida. Mike has led numerous discussions in national seminars, including the National Association of Church Business Administration, The Christian Leadership Alliance, the National Institute in Church Finance and Administration at Emory University, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and his firm's own annual Nonprofit Conference. He is active legislatively, both on the state and federal levels, having successfully drafted and lobbied for a number of changes to laws affecting nonprofit organizations.

Dan Busby

Dan Busby is the President of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), an oversight and accreditation organization. A CPA, Mr. Busby founded a CPA firm, was the Controller of a major medical center, and CFO of a major religious denomination. Hundreds of thousands of his books and booklets on tax and finance issues have been used by church and other nonprofit leaders. Over 250 of his articles have appeared in various magazines and websites. He is a frequent speaker at national nonprofit conferences and has spoken in 37 states.

Ann Buwalda

Ann Buwalda founded the law firm, Just Law International, PC, in March 1996, which focuses on immigration law practice and particularly asylum and refugee cases. She has also served as adjunct professor teaching Immigration Law at Regent University in 1996 and since 2002 annually teaches International Asylum/Refugee and Human Rights Law as an adjunct professor at Handong International Law School in Pohang, Korea. Other law school and university campuses at which she has been invited to address students and faculty include George Mason University, American University, Georgetown Law School, Campbell University Law School, John Hopkins, and Liberty University School of Law.

Ann became Director for Jubilee Campaign USA in 1991 when she launched the organization in the Washington, DC area. In October 2000, Ms. Buwalda served as one of the “public members” on the United States Delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Human Rights Dimension Implementation Review Meeting held in Warsaw, Poland. She prepared and delivered the Statement for the United States delegation on the topic, Freedom of Thought, Conscience, Religion or Belief. On several occasions Miss Buwalda has testified before sub-committees of the United States Congress and the Congressional Human Rights Caucus concerning human rights, religious freedom, and the plight of refugees in various countries.

Gregg Capin

Gregg is a partner with CapinCrouse LLP, a CPA firm specializing in service to not-for-profit organizations through audit, tax, and advisory services. Gregg has over thirty years of experience managing accounting, audit, and advisory services for a wide range of not-for-profit organizations both nationally and internationally. Prior to joining the firm in 1979, he served for five years as the accounting and trust manager of the Great Commission Foundation of Campus Crusade for Christ. He holds a B.A. degree from Azusa Pacific University.

With extensive experience, Gregg frequently speaks on not-for-profit accounting and auditing, planned giving administration, exempt organization tax, and other topics at conferences and seminars. He has conducted training within the firm, for industry groups and conferences, and for the AICPA and State CPA Societies.

George Gatgounis

Rev. Dr. George Joseph Gatgounis, a Harvard alumnus, holds four master degrees, and three earned academic doctoral degrees. He currently serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the Harvard Club of South Carolina, and is a member of the Harvard Faculty Club. He is a prolific author, with numerous forthcoming works ranging in subject matter including exegesis, theology, religion, history, law, politics, foreign policy, and even science fiction. He has published Calvin the Magistrate. His forthcoming works include The Puritan View of Substantive Biblical Law, International Law Afloat on a Sea of Religious Ethics, Governmental Integrity and the Future of American Democracy, The Robert Hussein Case and its Implications for American Foreign Policy, Exegesis and Sermonic Development, and Radbertus and Ratramnus. A licensed attorney and litigator since 1994, he is also a South Carolina Supreme Court certified mediator and arbitrator, and a TASA and nationally known expert witness in religion. He has formally served as a Harvard Chaplain, jail chaplain, and nursing home chaplain, and currently also serves as a minister in Charleston, S.C., and is available for legal representation, confidential consultation, as well as public debates, conferences, sermons, and speeches.

James E. Guinn

In 1975 Mr. Guinn and Mr. Robert D. Smith organized Guinn, Smith & Company, Inc. The company has grown to a staff of approximately thirty. Since inception, Guinn, Smith & Company has primarily been involved with providing tax, auditing, and accounting services for religious organizations.

Mr. Guinn is intensely involved in the representation of various religious organizations before the Internal Revenue Service. He has consulted with the general public, ministers, and employees of religious organizations with regard to Internal Revenue Service requirements. Out of his experiences, he has written several reference books for non-profit organizations and numerous articles addressing problems the Internal Revenue Service encounters in carrying out its function of insuring compliance of exempt organizations.

Vonna Laue

Vonna Laue joined Capin Crouse, a national auditing firm specializing in churches and nonprofits, in 1996. She is licensed as a California and Colorado CPA and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Society for Human Resource Management, and the National Association of Church Business Administration. She serves clients including churches, colleges, universities, seminaries, mission organizations, and other nonprofit ministries.

Vonna has served in a variety of board roles for nonprofit organizations. She has written articles in national church business administration publications. She coauthored Essential Guide to Church Finances. Her speaking experience includes annual church seminars, semi-annual QuickBooks discussion groups, as well as the national conferences of the former Christian Management Association and the National Association of Church Business Administration.

David Middlebrook

David Middlebrook is licensed to practice law in Texas, Colorado, and the District of Columbia, and his practice emphasis is focused on representing tax-exempt organizations. His clients include all types of charitable, religious, and educational organizations. Many nonprofit organizations retain Mr. Middlebrook as general counsel; others use his services as special nonprofit corporate counsel. Mr. Middlebrook graduated with honors with a B.S. in Business Management in 1985 and earned his Juris Doctor in 1989 from Southern Methodist University.

Mr. Middlebrook is a registered Congressional lobbyist where he works on behalf of religious nonprofit organizations for the protection of religious liberties. Mr. Middlebrook has authored and published numerous articles on nonprofit topics. He is the author of The Guardian System, a comprehensive system for the prevention of child abuse within an organization, for which he was awarded a 2001 Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Gold Medallion book award in recognition of excellence in evangelical Christian literature. He co-authored Nonprofit Law for Religious Organizations: Essential Questions and Answers, which is a response to the need for guidance, direction, and clarification of legal and tax laws affecting churches and other religious organizations.

Midgett Parker

Mr. Parker has provided legal counsel to business, church and developer clients in land acquisition, land use regulations, financing, construction contracts and dispute resolution in the construction process. His involvement for churches and other religious institutions includes legal representation through zoning and subdivision, permits and interaction with building inspectors, loan negotiation and refinancing, tax exemptions, arbitration of post construction claims and final acceptance of the new facility.

Judge Enoch Perry

Judge Enoch Perry, III is a well-known litigator and negotiator both locally and nationally. For over 14 years, he as served as General Counsel of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc., having the legal oversight of its churches worldwide. He has conducted seminars and published reference books on the topics of church law, sexual misconduct and legal procedures. Judge Perry is an expert in church law while maintaining a private practice in Mitchellville, Maryland, where he specializes in non-profit organizations, family law and personal injury.

Ken Sande

Ken Sande is president of Peacemaker Ministries and is author of The Peacemaker, which has been translated into 11 languages. He also is an Editorial Advisor for Christianity Today International’s Church Management Team, which includes Your Church magazine and ChurchSafety.com. He is passionate about bringing the life-changing power of God's peacemaking principles into the lives of Christians and their churches. Ken has used biblical peacemaking principles to minister to parties in hundreds of conflicts ranging from simple personal disputes to complex church, corporate, and legal conflicts. He has written books, articles, and other resources on biblical conflict resolution and is in frequent demand as a conference speaker. He and his wife, Corlette, love to hike with their two teenagers in the mountains near their home in Billings, Montana.

Elaine L. Sommerville

Elaine L. Sommerville is licensed as a certified public accountant by the State of Texas. She has worked in public accounting for the past 25 years, primarily focusing on tax compliance aspects of nonprofit organizations. Elaine currently devotes her time to handling various IRS issues for individuals and for exempt organizations of various types. She is currently the sole shareholder of the firm of Sommerville & Associates, P.C.

Elaine also has a passion for training individuals who work for and with nonprofit organizations. To this end, she is a regular speaker for the Christian Leadership Alliance, the Texas Society of CPAs, the National Association of Church Business Administrators, and she is an instructor for the American Institute for Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). She is a member of the AICPA, the Texas Society of CPAs, and the National Association of Church Business Administrators.

Frank Sommerville

Frank Sommerville is a shareholder in the law firm of Weycer, Kaplan, Pulaski & Zuber, P.C. in Houston and Dallas, Texas. He received his Bachelor's degree in business from Texas Wesleyan University. He received his Masters in Professional Accounting with an emphasis on taxation from the University of Texas at Arlington. His law degree is from the University of Houston Law Center. He holds a license as a Certified Public Accountant. He is also Board Certified in Tax Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is rated AV (highest possible) by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory.

Frank has presented seminars on nonprofit taxation since 1981. He regularly assists churches in preventing litigation, including those that originate with accusations of sexual misconduct. Due to his significant contributions to the church administration profession, he was inducted into the National Association for Church Business Administration Hall of Fame in 2003.

Richard J. Vargo

Richard J. Vargo, M.B.A., Ph.D. is a professor of accounting in the Eberhardt School of Business at the University of the Pacific, Stockton, California. He is the recipient of the prestigious Accounting Faculty Merit Award given by the California Society of Certified Public Accountants for his contributions to accounting education in California. He coauthored Essential Guide to Church Finances.

Veronica Abney

Veronica Abney is the Church Administrator for Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, the second largest arena facility in Chicago and the fastest growing church in the Midwest. She is responsible for church management and the ministry budget. Her contributions to the ministry have been featured in Crain’s Business, Money, Marketing Review, and Christianity Today magazines.

Prior to serving in the ministry, Veronica worked with a number of major corporations in the areas of banking, retail, and information technology. She worked with IBM, American National Bank, Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Research and Trading, Kraft Foods, Time/Life, Data General, and the City of Chicago.

Paul Clark

Paul Clark has served as a pastor in the areas of administration and operations for 15 years, holding a BA from Moody Bible Institute and a MBA from Xavier University. His passion is management in the local church and supporting others in leading the church organization, which he has done through teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate level. He has taught for Alliance Theological Seminary and currently serves as an adjunct professor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. He has presented workshops on church management at Cedarville University, Moody Bible Institute's Pastor's Conference, and the CLA and NACBA national conferences. He’s been published in Your Church, NACBA Ledger, and aLife magazines, and discusses church management issues on his blog, www.visionmeetsreality.org.

Lee Dean

Lee Dean is a former editor and writer for Christianity Today International’s resource websites BuildingChurchLeaders.com, PreachingToday.com, and SmallGroups.com. He has experience in local church leadership, including teaching, preaching, communications, worship planning, small group ministry, and service on governing boards. For over 30 years, Lee Dean has been a reporter, writer, and editor for daily newspapers, trade magazines, websites, and ghostwriting clients. He is a graduate of Cornerstone University and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.

David Fletcher

Dr. David Fletcher served for 26 years at a church in Dallas, Texas, and four years in a church in Austin before joining the leadership team of The Chapel in Akron, Ohio, where he currently serves as Executive Pastor. The Chapel is one of the 100 largest churches in the U.S. with a membership of more than 8,000 across two campuses.

Dr. Fletcher draws on his extensive experience as an executive pastor to run XPastor.org, a global ministry tool for leaders of churches of all sizes. The site began as a place to host Fletcher’s useful XP ministry tool, the XP-Indicator, along with articles based on his XP research. Traffic to the site increased steadily, as did the content available; XPastor.org now gets tens of thousands of visits monthly.

Brian Kluth

Brian Kluth is a pastor, author, speaker, and media expert on church giving and biblical generosity. His bestselling GenerousLife.org 30 & 40 Day Bible devotional have been given out by more than 2000 churches to every family in their congregation to inspire greater generosity and increase giving. His free MAXIMUMgenerosity.org Church Giving eNewsletter goes to more than 20,000 pastors, leaders, and Christians in more than 150 countries.

Brian McAuliffe

Brian McAuliffe joined the Willow Creek Community Church (WCCC) team as the Director of Finance and Self-Supporting Ministries in June of 2000. Within a year, his role expanded and he became the CFO. He became the Director of Operations in April of 2002. He oversees the financial/accounting functions; all operational functions and the production functions of WCCC as well as the self-supporting ministries; Seeds Bookstore, CARS Ministry, Harvest Food Ministry, and Camp Paradise.

Brian received his MBA from Syracuse University and his BA from the University of Notre Dame. Brian has over 25 years of management and financial management experience in four major business sectors; Fortune 500, private-for-profit, not-for-profit and government. Just prior to joining WCCC, he held the position of Executive Director of Transitional Living Services in Syracuse, NY.

Phill Martin

Phill Martin joined the staff of National Association of Church Business Administration (NACBA) in 2000 as Director of Education. In 2006 he became the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Association. Phill has completed twenty-four years in various position of ministry in local churches.

Active in his faith community, he has served as an elected officer of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, having held its top elected position as Moderate of the governing board 2002-03. He previously served as an at large member of its Coordinating Council chairing the Communication and Marketing Ministry Group. In addition he has served on their Information System Task Force to develop technology strategies for the organization and chaired the local arrangement committee for the 1998 Houston General Assembly. For three years, Gloria and Phill served as member care counselors for mission personnel serving primarily in Eastern Europe.

Kent Morris

Kent Morris delivers a bridge-building perspective to the technical arena. He is a live sound engineer for Paul Baloche, Tommy Walker, Kim Hill, and Israel Houghton and served as a senior pastor for a decade. Currently he is an audio/video system designer with Cornerstone Media, whose clients include Mt. Paran Church of God and In Touch Ministries. Kent is an editor and writer for several magazines including Worship Leader, Your Church, Church Production, Sound and Video Contractor, Live Sound, and Technologies for Worship. He has been a member of the Audio Engineering Society for over twenty years and teaches for AES as well as NAMM, NSCA, NAB, LDI, and NRB on worship technology issues. As an engineer and instructor for Integrity Media and Maranatha! Music since 1995, he has taught thousands of worship techs how to provide "Media Worthy of Worship."

Nick Nicholaou

Nick Nicholaou is President of Ministry Business Services (MBS), a team of management consultants specializing in ministry management and operations. While he was in executive service for the auto manufacturing industry, he and his wife Grace sensed God's call to found MBS. Since 1986 Nick and his team have been serving ministries in consultative and hands-on roles in operations and administration. His specific areas of expertise include organizational management, crisis resolution, and strategic implementation of technology.

In 1996 MBS was honored by the Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA) for its role in assisting ministries nationwide. Then in 2002 CLA honored Nick with their Distinguished Service Award for excellence in serving ministries. Prior to that, Nick was honored as NACBA’s 1993 inductee into their Hall of Fame for his contribution to the field of church management.

Joy Skjegstad

Joy Skjegstad, author of Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry (Alban Institute 2007) and Starting a Nonprofit at Your Church (Alban Institute 2002), is a national speaker and consultant on nonprofit management and ministry development. She has more than 20 years of experience starting and growing nonprofit organizations, with a special focus on faith-based groups, and youth and community development. She has served as the Executive Director of the Park Avenue Foundation at Park Avenue United Methodist Church and is the founder of the Institute for Ministry Leaders, a university-based training program that builds the management capacity of churches and other ministry organizations. She also served as the President of Sanctuary Community Development Corporation and has held a variety of other leadership positions with nonprofits in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

Dave Travis

Dave Travis is Managing Director of Leadership Network. In his current role he leads a team on all church-focused programs. He is a sought-after commentator on the issues facing American churches. Before taking his current leadership role in the organization he led numerous program areas within the organization. Prior to joining Leadership Network in 1995, Dave served as a regional denominational director outside Atlanta, Georgia. Further back in his past he was a staff pastor and consulting engineer. Dave is a management graduate of Georgia Tech and holds an MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has coauthored a book, Beyond the Box, with Bill Easum which was released in 2003 and Beyond Megachurch Myths with Scott Thumma released in 2007.

Bob Wild

Bob served as the Director of Finance and Administration for two megachurches, Vineyard Christian Fellowship of North Phoenix and Christ's Church of the Valley, over the past 20 years. Bob also served on several boards including the local Phoenix NACBA chapter, CCV Youth Sports, the largest nonprofit youth sports program in Arizona, and the Boys and Girls Club in Austin Texas. Bob wrote and self published an instruction manual for church planters called Growing Your Church From The Ground Up: The Corporate Side. Bob has been published in Church Executive Magazine and more recently in Group Publishing professional edition for their children's magazine. In 2009, Bob joined the team at Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company as the Senior Director of Strategic Alliances.

Marshall Shelley

Marshall Shelley is editorial vice-president of Christianity Today International, and editor in chief of the Church Leadership Media Group, which includes Leadership journal, PreachingToday.com, Church Law & Tax Report, Church Finance Today, and ChurchLawToday.com He served as general editor of The Quest Study Bible, a best-selling edition of the New International Version, released in 1994.

Marshall is author of several books, including The Consumer Church: Can Evangelicals Win the World Without Losing Their Soul, (InterVarsity Press), which he co-authored with his father, church historian Bruce Shelley, and The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham (Zondervan, 2006), which he co-authored with Harold Myra.