Now, the end of January has passed and we are all ready to jump in to 2012.  One of the best ways to do that is an update with lots of client requested features and enhancements!  Last night, February 21, Access ACS completed its first update of 2012.  One feature was texting!  Members can now provide their phone numbers along with the carriers for a free text messaging solution.    Also, changes to events that included the ability to enter a GL code on the event setup, additional fields on the event export, and posting of event data to Facebook.  Event registrant information can now also be copied to an activity, class, or small group.  This is just a piece of the list — and we are just at the start of 2012!  To check out everything that was released, please see the release notes!  Remember, the majority of this update came from user requests so keep letting us know what you need!

Recently, my 16-month-old son awarded me a mug that proclaims me as the “World’s Greatest Dad.” Being granted this title is a huge obligation; it’s one I don’t take lightly. Naturally, I know my number one duty as the World’s Greatest Dad is my son’s safety. I wouldn’t walk away from him unless I knew he was safe. But I also know the main concern of most kids, including my own – it’s not safety, it’s FUN!

Finding a balance of safety and fun is sometimes difficult. I recently got the chance to visit one of our client churches, Savannah Christian Church in Savannah, Ga. Taking a tour of the church, I saw an outstanding example of how safety and fun can co-exist with a little creativity.

Safety in a ministry setting

We all agree that keeping children safe is our number one goal as parents and as children’s ministry staff members, but it’s no secret their patience sometimes runs thin while waiting in line.  Savannah Christian Church uses ACS Checkpoint as their child check-in solution – but what’s really exciting about checking in at Savannah Christian Church? The check-in stations sit inside artificial trees and the entire room looks like a jungle. Maybe it’s the child inside of me, but I was amazed as I toured the facility and saw the children’s check-in room. Not only are parents getting the security and safety that their children deserve, but the kids enjoy the experience as well. For a kid, a little atmosphere goes a long way.

Quick check-in, maximized volunteers

Wednesday night is the busiest service for Savannah Christian Church, checking in over 200 children from kindergarten to 5^th grade at their Henderson campus.  “We recently moved from 5 to 8 check-in stations, allowing check-in to operate seamlessly.  Computerized check-in works well for us as it allows us to utilize volunteers in other areas.  The computer generated security numbers used to match each child’s tag with their parent’s tag gives us the added security protection that our ministry needed,” said Margie Farmer, Elementary Children’s Administrative Coordinator.

After hearing how great their children’s ministry is doing and viewing their facility it really changed my perspective and helped me appreciate the creativity that Savannah Christian Church has.  Seeing first hand one of the ideas that helped their children’s ministry become such a growing success was a privilege.  It has also inspired me – sometimes we just need to see the world through a child’s eyes to gain a little spark of inspiration.

Want to learn more about children’s security? Download the free ministry guide “Is Your Children’s Security At Risk?” for best practices and a three-page infographic with detailed information about laying out your check-in system.

This month, Jamey McElveen, an R&D Programming Manager for ACS, shares some security tips to follow when using your smartphone. And if you’re on church staff, you’ll be interested in his second article on the updated ACS apps that have just been released.

Smartphone Security
by Jamey McElveen

Many apps open the door to some of your most sensitive data. Personal information about your family and finances are only a few swipes and taps away. If your phone were stolen or lost, all of this information could be exposed to some shady characters. Given the rising threat of having your identity stolen, mobile devices rise to the surface as a prime target for offenders. While this does not mean you should abandon your favorite toy, you need to be aware of the risk and take a few precautions. Here are a handful of tips to help protect yourself and your data.

1. Keep records – Write down and store your phone make, model, serial/IMEI number, and any other identifying information. Then, if you are sure that your phone is lost or stolen, call your provider immediately. Having this information will help your provider identify your phone and limit access to personal data.
2. Use a lock screen - Possibly the easiest way to protect your data is to enable a lock screen. Most mobile devices include a feature that requires you to identify yourself every time you wake up the phone. This feature usually leverages a quick code or gesture that does not allow access to the phone. If the user does not accurately validate the preset value, the phone doesn’t unlock. In some cases, the phone  wipes all of its information if too many failed attempts are entered.
3. Use tracking software – By combining GPS and a cellular data plan, you can use an app to remotely track your phone if lost. Today, iPhone users can use iCloud for free and set up the “Find my iPhone” app. This app allows you to find the GPS location of your phone, activate an alarm, and if necessary, remotely wipe your phone. These apps can be useful even if you know the phone is lost around the house. However, be sure to use this feature before your phone has a chance to lose its charge.
4. Do not assume the worst - Do not be too quick to call the authorities and wipe your phone. Chances are you just misplaced your phone nearby. Try calling your phone or using tracking software to find it. Also, remember that there are still lots of honest people in the world. Try sending yourself a text with your email. Hopefully, your phone was picked up by someone that will return it, just as you would.

Read complete Smartphone Security article here.

ACS Smartphone Apps
Jamey McElveen

In a typical week, many church staffers and others use:

• A Facebook app to keep up with the latest happenings in their congregation’s lives,
• The Dropbox app to easily share files, photos, and videos even when they’re not in the office,
• Bible app to read scripture and make notes during small group meetings or even worship,
• Or a worship app for planning and communicating with fellow musicians.

Because we believe that mobile apps and their devices can be convenient and powerful ministry tools, we have increased our ongoing investment in this arena. Our R&D Department formed a new team that focuses on mobile application development. Since the mobile team was formed, we released two major updates to the ACS Church Life application for Access ACS, including updating the iPhone and mobile HTML apps, and introduced a native Android app.

ACS Church Life provides your staff and members with access to a subset of their Access ACS data in the palm of their hand.

Using ACS Church Life and your Access ACS login you can:

• Search your church directory
• View contact photos
• Map contact addresses
• Check the church calendar for upcoming events.

iPhone

The latest release is a complete rewrite. The new implementation is an app that is installed on your iPhone, also known as a “native application”. The new iPhone app is faster and much more robust than its predecessor. If you’re interested in what you’ll find in the app, here are a few screen samples for you – screen 1, screen 2, screen 3, screen 4.

Android

We are really excited about our Android release. Like the iPhone update, this version is a true native application, increasing performance and stability. The new design looks like an Android app, respects the Android standards, and embraces the hardware buttons. Here are a few screen samples - screen 1, screen 2, screen 3.  To install the app, click the link above or search for “ACS Church Life” in the Android Marketplace.

Read complete ACS Smartphone Apps article here

Every one of us has unique, God-given strengths – we all know that. Each group, too, has its own dynamic, built on the combination of its members. One of the strengths of the team from our Seattle office, where The City is based, is their keen insight into digital community-building. It’s important because, as the numbers at the right show, internet use is growing – and will continue to grow. It’s not a fad – it’s a trend that churches can’t ignore.

Our colleagues in Seattle have spent a lot of time thinking about how an online community can become more than just a “social” connection, but a place where engagement happens and disciples are built. It’s an essential consideration for today’s ministries.

The City team recently put together a ministry guide on the topic of building disciples through engagement, and I just had to share some of what they put together. Below, I’ve excerpted 4 of the guide’s Best Practices for Digital Communication.

Good communication is good communication, so don’t be
intimidated by that little word, digital. The things that make
you an effective communicator elsewhere are still in play. There
are, however, some unique challenges and opportunities in the
digital world, so following a few best practices can help you
avoid common pitfalls and enable you to make the most of your
communication efforts.

1. Focus on the mission.

Don’t put the focus on methods, because methods are disposable.
It’s the heart of the thing that matters. Jesus has given your
church an eternally meaningful mission. Be sure to explain why
your church needs a private social network, and keep the focus
on how it will help your church accomplish the mission.

2. Never think your communication is done.

If you’ve been a leader for long, you probably understand this far too well. You can’t say something once and expect it to
stick with everyone. You’ve got to continually remind people
of what’s important. Thankfully, digital tools make effective
communication very inexpensive, and also make it easy to
mobilize other people to distribute your communication for you.
There’s no need to do all the work yourself; usually you just need
to ask people to help get the word out to their friends.

3. Invite people to interact.

Interaction is no longer an option, it’s an expectation. The digital
tools available today give you an amazing opportunity to invite
people to join a conversation. While it might initially seem like
more work, the return is far greater than the investment. Your
interaction and sincere listening will help create an engaged
community, you’ll probably discover gifts and abilities you didn’t
realize people had, and you might just learn from others along
the way, too.

4. Cultivate meaningful relationships.

The speed and simplicity of digital communication can
sometimes lead to over-use and misuse. As a leader, it’s your job
to lead the way and help people understand the compelling why
behind the methods. By asking good questions, listening well,
and steering conversations toward real relationships, you’ll be
leading by example. Ask other leaders to do the same. Together,
you’ll build a community of well-connected and meaningful
relationships.

To see the full list of digital communication best practices, plus information on the real power of social technologies, practical steps your church can use to transform its online communication, advice on creating a communication plan, and real-life examples of a church using online tools to build and mobilize an engaged community, download the free ministry guide Building Disciples Through Engagement.

This week I was in a product release meeting for upcoming enhancements to the event registration software in Access ACS.  As I sat in that meeting along with 50 fellow coworkers, I thought back to the origination of our event management software. I remember the time when ACS did not have a method to record events. We were busy tracking essential data like people, contributions, and financial transactions.  However there was a particular client that kept calling and asking for a way to track events held at the church. So we finally saw the need and developed the Reservations Module.  We released the new module at an annual conference in Orlando and I remember being shocked when we had 75 orders the first day of the conference. The need was certainly there.

As a young tree will grow over time, our event software has matured since that first release. While we started with the basics like setting up events and signing up people, the enhancements to the current software are many.  Some of the latest changes include improvements to online registration and payments, automated email notifications to the event coordinator, tracking and reporting of event financial information, guest registrations, and even an option to promote the event on Facebook.

It was exciting seeing the new enhancements and to reflect back on the software’s beginning.  We all owe some gratitude to that persistent client from years ago.

(Thanks Linda from Wieuca Road Baptist Church!)

In 2011 ACS Technologies dedicated a person, Rusty Brotherton, to assist in starting up new groups. Rusty had been on staff at Lee’s Summit Community Church in Missouri and brings his ACS, IT, and church administration knowledge to assist groups in getting organized. Our goal for 2012 is to start up two new groups a month. So if you are interested in starting a group in your area, contact Rusty to get the process started.

PS.  The biggest user group of all, The Ideas to Impact Conference, is coming May 29^th in Atlanta.  Plan to attend and meet Rusty in person.

The session was offered twice, and both times the room was filled to capacity; in one session we even had to switch to a larger room. I was humbled by the response to the Herding Cats session and it became the inspiration of the blog series I’ve been working on – and the blog post that you’re now reading.

Standing in front of such a large group, the largest group I’d spoken to at any Ideas to Impact Conference, I was nervous, but I was prayed up and as prepared as I could be. The funny thing was, at each session as I chatted with folks as they were arriving someone would comment, “I hope you brought cat nip!” Funnier yet, as I’ve now gone on-site with churches whose staff sat in on the Herding Cats session, right before we begin a training session or implementation session with their staff they’ll make the same comment, “I hope you brought cat nip!” That’s what I’m writing about today: Cat nip. The secret weapon of cat herders.

The secret ingredient (it’s not really cat nip)

Through my short four years as a staff member at a megachurch, I learned very quickly through bumps and bruises that the only way to get folks to follow you in what you’ve been called to do in any ministry is to possess one key ingredient: Love. That is the cat nip that every cat herder should possess.

One of the greatest commandments we’ve been given is to love one another. You can’t be a cat herder and not love the cats – all cats! All too often we can find ourselves being as patient and loving as we can be to our congregants, but sometimes it seems we fail at expressing those same sentiments to the person sitting in the office next to us.

Did you notice in December how much nicer people were? I love the element of Christmas that seems to flow through the air like the aroma of freshly baked banana bread. It spreads like a heavenly invisible wildfire and brings a smile to your face (unless you’re fasting). Did you sense it among your fellow staff members? It’s a shame we only see this level of kindness at Christmas, because  as believers we’re supposed to radiate that from the inside out. We’re supposed to radiate kindness to all – and yes, I means that staff member or that volunteer. The one who makes you want to scream.

Doing your homework: Read The Word

The commandment to love one another can be found in John 13:34-35, “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

After studying these verses and few others in 1 John 1 & 2 I found myself asking God, “how do we live the greatest commandment to love one another?”  I found the answer in 1 John 2:10 ” … the one who loves his brother ABIDES in the Light.” According to a Bible Dictionary the word “abide” means “remain, stay; often describes the believers continuance in Christ.” In the NASB version of this verse the word “abide” is used.  I did some research and found that in other translations other words like “remain” or “continue in” can be found. All of which can be interpreted to mean “abide in Him.” That’s how we live the greatest commandment, we abide in Him to live love.

Lessons learned

The days when I used to find myself loving the least where the days I hadn’t spend any time with God.  I’d stop whatever I was doing and do a short devotional to get myself back on track and in the right frame of mind. When we figuratively lay down our lives and live for others rather than our selves (putting others first), then we become selfless and can love the way God commands us to, ultimately being as effective as we can be where God has planted us.

Here’s a nugget to help you digest this big pill I’m encouraging you to swallow – God never asks us to do something we’re not equipped to do.

I pray you live love, by doing so you become a powerful Cat Herder (Kingdom vessel) that God can work through for His glory! If you live love then you will always have cat nip in your pocket, ready to herd cats at a moment’s notice.

Did you enjoy this post? Read more posts by Lesley Baker, our in-house Cat Herding expert.

The Art of Negotiation: Three Tips

Data Cleanup Best Practices: Advice from One Who’s Been There

How to Make Resolutions that Stick

Getting Your Wish: Better Planning

Several years ago, we developed an integration that allows you to send your list data from our PDS, ACS, and Headmaster products directly  in to Constant Contact. This saves you the time of setting up a spreadsheet, saving it, and manually loading it in to your Constant Contact account. Within the ACS product, there is also the ability to send your contribution statements via Constant Contact.

Our clients continually provide feedback on how they enjoy the product as well as the integrations. I am excited to share that we now have a special promotion for ALL of our clients with Constant Contact. Starting today, February 1, if our clients sign up for a new Constant Contact account at http://acspromo.constantcontact.com they get 50% off of their first 6 months of billing. I love a good deal! This is for ALL of our ACS Tehnologies clients – PDS, ACS, Headmaster, The City, Membership Plus, Organizations, etc. I wanted to share the word, so you can share your word!

With all that in mind, we’ve pulled together some tips to help keep parents in the loop and build their support for  your children’s ministry program.

1. Move beyond casual conversation

You can talk to parents when they drop off and pick up their children, after services, or during other church events. The trouble is, busy parents are less likely to retain information from a quick conversation. No matter how important your information, parents will have dozens of other things on their mind. A formal setting is better, whether it’s scheduling a phone call to discuss the program and its goals or inviting parents to visit and observe ministry activities and ask questions. Consider setting up an information table after services and other church events. Ministry leaders can distribute printed materials, discuss the children’s ministry’s goals and provide tips for parents to get more involved with their children’s faith development.

2. Plan and prepare

An organized communication plan can help you present a consistent message to parents. To create a plan, write out what you plan to accomplish during the months ahead. What moral issues, Bible lessons and spiritual growth opportunities do you plan to offer? Then, consider how parents can help in these efforts. Consider what Bible verses might be taught at home to supplement a lesson taught at school. Consider tips you might share with parents to help them teach at home.

3. Cover your bases with social media

It’s safe to assume your parents are busy – and that they’re already getting a lot of information sent to them about their children. In a sense, your ministry is competing with schools, daycare centers, community programs, sports programs and other organized activities. Use social media tools to make communication easy and accessible for parents. Try using Twitter to send schedule reminders, or post a list of Bible lessons to Facebook or a page on your church’s website.

A regular email update or newsletter can also help keep parents involved. To help parents feel a part of the ministry’s regular activities, try posting photos and videos to Youtube.com, Flickr.com, or other video and photo-sharing sites – but make sure parents approve ahead of time if their children will be in the images, or create a protected site online using a service like Google’s Picasa.

Bear in mind that everyone has a preferred way of getting information electronically. You will probably have to rely on multiple social media tools to reach everyone.

For advice about online communication, download our free ministry guide about online engagement, “Building Disciples Through Engagement.”

4. Serve as a resource

Parents may be the best resource for a child’s faith development, but some will show reluctance to embrace the role. They may feel they don’t have the background to effectively teach spiritual lessons, while others may consider the task better left to the church ministry. Effective communication can help bridge this gap, by providing parents with materials that will help them to guide and inspire their children. If you don’t have a Parent’s Guide for your ministry that covers what will be taught and includes home lessons that can support the message of the ministry, consider setting up a quick-response phone line or e-mail address to respond to parents when questions and concerns come up.

5. Make a group effort

There are no FAQs for parenting, so many parents love to hear how other parents handle issues. Consider ways to bring parents together to discuss issues and draw support for today’s complex family issues. Try setting up an online discussion forum with weekly chat sessions — and password protection to protect privacy may help encourage parents to be frank. Alternatively, invite parents to adults-only monthly sessions to discuss a variety family-related concerns as a group. If there is a forum for single parents or one on how to give a consistent message of faith when parents live apart, see how the children’s ministry team can offer up support. Your help may be noticed – and appreciated – by parents.

Talk back in comments: What approaches have helped you connect with the families of kids in your children’s ministry?

Learn more: Check out additional resources, like this article at ChildrensMinistry.com, or this  best practices article. If you’d like to learn more about children’s security, read our recently updated, free children’s security ministry guide, “How Secure is Your Children’s Ministry.”

Thinking about this topic, we’ve pulled together a few ideas that you might consider as you look at ways to strengthen your church’s bottom line.

1. Talk the Talk, 24/7

How do you talk about money in your church community? Do you only mention it when you suddenly realize that your annual operating budget is short for the next fiscal year? Or when a big storm makes the need for a capital campaign too strong to ignore? If you only talk about money in your times of need, you are missing a prime opportunity to share with your members the results of their giving.

Try this instead: Throughout the year, look for opportunities to highlight your ministries in your bulletin, church newsletter, or other venues. Do you have a bustling soup kitchen? Run some photos of meals being served in your newsletter and remind people that their contributions helped feed those in need. Are you known for your vibrant music programs? Let people know that their contributions pay for sheet music and the organist’s salary. Don’t wait for a big stewardship campaign to do this – focus on it throughout the year. Include the message everywhere you communicate with your congregation, from social media to membership classes to the pulpit.

2. Giving in the 21st Century

Consider how people manage their money today, and be sure they can give just as easily. Utilize and maximize online giving. It’s fast, easy and safe – and it can help even out your giving year-round. No more summer slump while families leave on vacation, because they can easily set up automatic giving.

There are a number of options, including our own online giving option via Access ACS. Learn more about online giving by downloading the free ministry guide “Five Sundays: The Power of Online Giving” here.

3. Keep Everyone in the Loop

Consider running weekly or monthly giving totals in your bulletin. This way, if you are consistently falling short in your weekly goals, no one will be surprised. Your members want to feel engaged in their church – they want to know that you’re not doing church business behind closed doors. Financial transparency is a hot topic in church leadership groups these days, and the more you can encourage transparency by sharing financial data with your members, the easier it will be to ask for money during your stewardship campaign each year.

4. Stay on the Same Page

Be sure your pastors and staff are all on the same page when it comes to talking about money. Remember your soup kitchen? Make sure your senior pastor knows the details about those 24,000 meals you served last year, and that he or she isn’t afraid to share this information with members. Think about hiring a fundraising professional to come in to give a workshop to your pastors about the right and wrong ways to ask for money. Assess how comfortable your pastors are in asking for money from the pulpit, and then set up some ground rules about how this should be done. A consistent message across all staff lines is what you’re looking for.

5. It’s Okay to Sing Your Praises

Are you doing good work in the greater community? If so, then it would be wise of you to spend an afternoon making some calls to your local media. Reporters are looking for interesting stories to cover – it’s not hard to get on their radar. Just make sure you pitch the story to the right reporter. You’ll have better luck if you find a unique angle – a compelling story that makes your work stand out from the crowd.

If you get coverage, share it with your flock. You may also find donations from non-members increasing, especially if you have an online giving option. There may be prominent people in your community who care about the plight of the homeless – when they find out the amazing work of your soup kitchen, a generous donation could follow.

6. Revitalizing by Evangelizing

Don’t forget evangelizing. Yes, this is a long-term goal, but it’s a vital one. New members equal an increased revenue stream. Sometimes, it’s easy for overworked pastors to find themselves unable to get out in the community to share the good news of your church with the world. Sit down with your leadership team and discuss this. Maybe it’s time to reserve some funding for advertising in the local papers, or maybe a lay committee could be appointed to help with evangelizing. Consider working with a mailhouse to buy a list of the names and addresses of new homeowners; why not send them an invitation to join you for worship? Be creative! There are people out there looking for a church. Welcome them to yours.

As you consider all the ways to increase donations to your church, don’t become discouraged. With these challenges come opportunities – just one or two small changes might have a large impact on your financial spreadsheet. Your biggest mistake will be to assume that you have no choice but to continue to do business as usual. In our ever-changing world, your creativity, your hard work, and your openness to new ideas might just turn your giving profile completely around.

Tell us in comments: What’s one thing your church is considering to increase contributions?