Articles

Many ministries ask our firm to evaluate their use of computer technology and make recommendations.  Part of our process includes interviewing team members and asking a wide range of questions.  One of the needs they consistently express is the need to learn more about how to use the tools they already have.  They want to be efficient and effective, and they’re sure that training would help. We call training the most neglected component of ministry computer systems.  There is a simple strategy we saw in place at one client that costs little, is easy to accomplish, and produces great results.  And doing it will help your ministry accomplish more, in less time, and for less!

We’re learning to change our game face as IT professionals, finding new ways to serve our teams and reduce our intimidation factor. With that in mind, here are some ideas that can help.

Some time ago an article caught my eye about folks going to jail because they took computers outside of the U.S.  The problem was that, because of computer processor capabilities and the built-in cryptographic capabilities of common off-the-shelf software, it violated Export Administration Regulations.  The article went on to describe the maximum fines and penalties associated with the export of these items: $1,000,000 plus 10 years in jail for each criminal violation, or $500,000 plus a 3-year export ban for each civil violation. A few days later a colleague who works for an international ministry told me he had just sent software updates to their overseas field offices.  Click— the light went on.  I told him about the article I had just read which applied to the software technology he just sent overseas.  We were both shocked as we discussed the impact these regulations could have on similar international ministries.

Technology touches every aspect of ministry today.  It’s also a major portion of ministry budgets.  In fact, it enables those in ministry to do more and to do it more effectively.  The surprising thing, though, is that most ministry teams are kind of scared of us!  Can we talk here?

Some networks live in a constant state of panic.  They go from one emergency to another, sometimes with little time to catch one’s breath.  Other networks seem to run without error, needing only to be restarted because of scheduled maintenance.  Regardless of where you are in the network stability continuum, emergencies can hit and you need to have a plan...  just in case.

Many churches have vehicle fleets.  They facilitate ministry, neighborhood outreach, and are often overseen by a volunteer; so they're reasonably inexpensive.  But the hidden costs due to recent law changes and potential litigation suggest we might be wise stewards to rethink this facet of our ministry.