For centuries religious institutions were some of the most trusted organizations in most cultures. But in the modern era, suspicion of all authority figures and public institutions is on the rise. The “Me Too” era has shined a light into many dark areas of our culture, exposing abuse and corruption. (See here for an example of what […]
What are 95% of the visitors to your parish website looking for? Mass times. That’s it. This was brought home to our staff this week when we spotted this Tweet by Catholic evangelist Meg Hunter-Kilmer (see below). The long and short of it? Publish your Mass times everywhere! Stop what you’re doing and open your […]
Facebook followers are often your most faithful parishioners. They not only fill the pews each week, but they are also looking to stay connected outside of Mass. Facebook contains information about these parishioners that can help you stay connected with them. By using ABOUT on Facebook, you can learn a lot about them. By clicking […]
The Sunday bulletin has been a staple of Catholic life in North America for more than 75 years. But as almost all areas of life become digital, a paper bulletin may soon become a thing of the past (and maybe you’re already moving toward digital fundraising letters). Can we imagine a future without bulletins? What […]
When our team conducted a national research project focused on giving trends in Catholic parishes, we asked parishes how many registered households had an email address on file with the parish. Churches that had emails for 70% or more of their households reported average household giving that was 21% higher than churches that had emails […]
There are only a small number of events in your life that are so meaningful and powerful that the memories stay with you forever. For me, those memories include my wedding day, the days that my three children were born, and the day I found out about the ASAP Utilities tool. It’s a magic wand for Excel. […]
A year after the clergy abuse crisis came to light again, news reports continue to come out that can disturb and frighten Catholics. If you, your pastor, or a parishioner are seeking healthy, healing ways to respond, you need to consider how you’re responding to Church scandals. Here are two excellent resources to get started: […]
If you’re having a hard time keeping track of all the daily, weekly and monthly tasks required to keep your parish running smoothly, try using one of the many great software programs designed to help people stay organized in an increasingly busy world. Using task management systems can greatly increase your staff’s productivity. In addition […]
By now, most parishes have transitioned to online forms for event sign-ups, registrations, ticket sales and donations. If your parish is still using paper forms, it’s time to start moving over to user friendly online forms. (You can build out new forms here.) This week, set aside some time to assess your online forms for […]
Ever had trouble scheduling meetings at your parish? Scheduling parish council meetings, ministry activities or special event planning meetings can be a huge drain on your time and energy. It seems impossible at times to coordinate schedules between your pastor, staff, and volunteers. But there are a number of free services that take the guesswork […]
