As we usher in a new year, many churches are looking for ways to save money and operate more efficiently. Here are a few ways you can use technology to cut costs and streamline operations:
- Digital Giving: Many people start the New Year by setting budgets which make it a perfect time for you to meet them where they are by reminding them of the ease and security of online giving. Also, this is a great opportunity to highlight recurring gifts, which helps your church smooth out seasonal giving slumps, and allows donors to plan generosity for the entire year. If you’re not currently allowing donors the opportunity to offset their processing fees, this is a simple change that can make a huge impact on your overall giving throughout the year. We live in a world of e-commerce, be sure that your ministry is present for those who prefer to practice their generosity digitally.
- Streamline Communication: Many churches use a variety of platforms, such as email, text messaging, and phone, to communicate with members and keep them informed about events and activities. By consolidating these communication channels into one platform, churches can reduce the cost of sending multiple messages through various platforms and make it easier for members to stay informed. Not only can your Shelby Church Management platform handle all these communications, but it can also help you automate your guest follow-up, birthday recognition, donor appreciation and much more!” Also, you can segment your audience to ensure the right message is always going to the right person..
- Launch an Online Campus: Whether you are a single or multi-site church, you can grow your ministry for little or no cost with an Online Campus. Our streaming services make it possible for you to stream not only your weekend services, but Bible studies and midweek events as well to create a truly engaging experience for your online congregation. By setting up an online campus in your Church Management platform, you can track attendance, giving and other important engagement metrics the same way you would for an in-person campus. An online option helps keep your existing in-person audience engaged as well when they are traveling, sick or unable to attend services in person.
- Shift to Digital Resources: Instead of buying print materials for Bible studies, sermons, and classes, many churches are opting for digital resources such as e-books, videos, and audio recordings. This can save money on design, printing and shipping costs and allow for easy access for members on their mobile devices, computers, or tablets. Also, these digital resources are easier to share, enabling your members to pass them along to those outside your church. ShareFaith Media is an excellent resource for thousands of creative assets built specifically with the church in mind. Plus, with their innovative online graphic editor, you don’t need expensive design software to create graphics customized for your church.
These are just a few of the many ways you can use technology to save money and operate more efficiently. We hope this equips and empowers you to maximize your ministry impact in the coming year.