5 Tips for Turning Your Church Around

Published on: 08 October 2020 Last Updated on: 26 October 2020

Recent years have seen a rapid decline in church attendance. One of the harsh facts of the current climate is that the institution has become all but irrelevant to many Americans, especially the younger generations, and so congregations have shrank.

There are many reasons that church membership is down, and not all of them even relate directly to the clergy or to the church. One contributing factor is that Millennials and Gen-Zers are more averse to a commitment to any institution, including marriage and religion. However, another major factor is that America is becoming less religious as fewer people claim to have any religious affiliation. Ignoring these facts will do nothing to change the trends, but turning your church around isn’t impossible. Read on to get some tips to help you revive your church and make it more durable.

Here are 5 Tips for Turning Your Church Around:

1. Acknowledge that your church has a problem.

As a church leader, you’re probably accustomed to helping people through life’s hardships. As a counselor and minister, you know that the first and most important step of solving a problem is admitting that there is one. You have to apply that same principle inwards, especially when it comes to turning your church around. It’s equally important to be able to recognize the signs that your church is in trouble.

One of the crucial signs that your church is trending downward is that you have a lack of young people in your congregation. Growth is important for the survival of any organization, and you can’t grow without an infusion of youth. Also, if there is no talk of the church’s direction and goals for the future, then it is going in the wrong direction. The goal shouldn’t be to simply exist and maintain the status quo–you need to always have a vision for how to make it something greater.

2. Hire people with skills that can help your mission to grow.

Even though the goal of your church isn’t to make money, you need to approach turning it around with a business mindset. In business, you need to have the right personnel in place to facilitate growth, and you need to take the same business-like approach to revive your ministry.

Growing your church should be a project with many steps and initiatives that you put forth with the goal of revitalizing the ministry. You should consider hiring a project manager who has successfully completed PMP certification training. A project management professional undergoes years of schooling to get their project management certification, or PMP certificate, and they specialize in planning, and in managing the funding of projects.

You may even want to consider sponsoring one of your members for the PMP certification process as a way to facilitate growth from within your flock. By helping them get the credentials needed, through on-site project experience, they can quickly gain their own project management certification, and help you in return. The more qualified hands you have on deck, then the more ready your church will be to undertake the task of turning the ministry around.

3. Get the youth involved.

One of the major issues facing churches around the United States is that young people are losing interest in church. If this trend continues, then from where will the clergy and church leaders of the future come?

One way you can attract youth to your ministry is to give them responsibilities. Adolescents are on the cusp of adulthood, and the desire to have a role in shaping the institutions of which they’re apart. Create programs specifically for the younger people in your church, and also empower them to give suggestions and spearhead small projects.

4. Encourage members to become leaders.

One of the most important prerequisites for ministers to remember is that you can’t build a ministry alone. If you want your members to become more engaged in church, then you need to get them active.

One way to get members to become more interested in growing the ministry is to facilitate their personal spiritual growth. Creating a school of ministry for members who dream of someday wearing priest shirts is an excellent way to help your members grow, as well as attracting potential new members to step into the church for the first time. Put your credentials and years of experience in ministry to work by becoming a trainer for future ministers and leaders.

5. Get active in the community.

One of the unfortunate trends in the U.S. is that people are beginning to feel like the church is irrelevant in modern society. One of the main reasons for that sentiment is that many churches are inactive in their community.

If you want to revitalize your church, then community service is one of the best ways. Programs like neighborhood cleanups and food drives are excellent ways to ingratiate your church to the community through service.

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Why Office Carpets Are A Health Hazard And How Commercial Cleaning Helps?

If you work in a nice, cool, and modern office, you spend most of your day sitting at your desk and walking on a carpeted floor. Indeed, carpeted floors feel so much better to walk on; they are pretty to look at, absorb sound and reduce noise, help insulate the room, provide a non-slip and safer surface, and are just a lot more comfortable. However, there is also a good chance that the very carpet you love could be hiding some serious dangers. As we all know, carpets are excellent dirt magnets. Foreign particles ranging from allergens, and bacteria to toxic chemicals could get trapped in between the fibres of the carpet; these things can pose potential health hazards. This is what commercial cleaning, particularly office cleaning and carpet deep cleaning, is about. Allergens One of the most common, and probably the biggest, danger hiding in between the fibres of your office carpets are allergens. Allergens come in various forms, from dirt, dust, pet dander, dust mites, pollen, etc., which are all practically invisible to the naked eye. These particles get trapped on the carpet but can become airborne when someone walks on the carpet. People with hypersensitivity to these allergens can easily feel allergic reactions from these particles, such as sneezing, coughing, stuffy or runny nose, red, watery and itchy eyes, headaches, etc. Those with asthma, allergic rhinitis, or similar respiratory conditions will feel the worst of the symptoms. If you often suffer from allergies, you may notice that your symptoms are usually worse t work. And if you work in a carpeted environment, there is a good chance it is caused by dirty office carpet. To reduce your exposure to harmful allergens, make sure to invest in a vacuum cleaner that comes with a HEPA filter. HEPA is a special type of filter that traps extremely small particles. The good thing about hiring good commercial cleaning companies is that they use HEPA vacuums for their office cleaning. Bacteria Another common danger that could be lurking in your office caret is bacteria. As said earlier, carpets are practically dirt traps. It traps anything and everything, including moisture. Beverage spills, wet food, or various liquids dropped on the carpet turn the carpet into a breeding ground for bacteria. Bacteria, as we all know, can cause a long list of serious illnesses, such as pneumonia, meningitis, etc. To reduce your risk of these health problems, it is important to have your office carpet professionally cleaned. Commercial office cleaners use HEPA filter vacuums, special cleaning equipment and commercial-grade cleaning agents to effectively clean and disinfect carpets. They can safely clean bacteria lurking between the fibres and deep into the carpet without damaging the fabric. Toxic Chemicals Another danger that is often overlooked in the office setting is toxic chemicals. Often, office chemicals are treated with special chemicals to make them flame-retardant and stain-resistant. You will often see this in carpets placed in high-traffic areas, as they are incredibly convenient in terms of care and safety. However, over time, as the carpet ages, these special chemicals can off-gas, releasing toxic fumes into the air. Some of the most common chemicals used in treating carpets are benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene. These chemicals have been linked to a variety of health problems, such as respiratory issues, dizziness, and headaches. To reduce your chances of exposure to these chemicals, make sure to choose office carpets that are certified as low-emitting or free from harmful chemicals. If your office has already installed carpets with these chemical treatments, consider testing them for chemical emissions. Mould Mould is another common danger that is often overlooked in work settings like offices. Since carpets can trap moisture, they become damp. Hence, they become an ideal environment for mould growth. Mould can release spores into the air, and like allergens, they can cause respiratory and health problems. To reduce your risk of exposure to mould, it is crucial to have your pipes checked for possible leaks, improve office ventilation, and use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels. Also, make sure to have your carpets cleaned by professional commercial cleaners. Tips For Keeping Your Office's Carpet Clean And Safe Now that you know the dangers that could be lurking in your office carpet, it is important to take the necessary steps to keep your carpets clean and safe. Here are some tips for that: Vacuum Regularly Office carpets must be thoroughly vacuumed at least once a week to remove dust, dirt, and another allergen buildup. Use HEPA Filter Make sure to invest in a HEPA filter to effectively remove all small particles that have settled deep into the carpet. Clean Up Spills As Soon As Possible Prevent moisture from seeping deep into the carpet fibres by cleaning up spills promptly. Invest In Safe Cleaning Products Not all cleaning products are the same. Many may be effective in cleaning and killing bacteria, but they can be made from harmful chemicals. People hypersensitive to these strong cleaning solutions may be at risk of experiencing health problems such as allergic reactions and respiratory symptoms. Have Your Office Carpets Professionally Cleaned You can save yourself from all the hassles of cleaning and buying special cleaning equipment and cleaning solutions or hiring and training office cleaners by simply getting the services of professional office cleaners. Professional commercial cleaning services include deep cleaning, which is exactly what office carpets need. Health experts recommend that office carpets must be deep cleaned at least once a year (twice for offices with heavy foot traffic) to remove deep-seater allergens and dirt and keep them clean and safe for everyone. Takeaway Your office's carpet may seem innocuous, but it could be hiding some serious dangers. Save yourself from the stress of guesswork and hire professional commercial cleaning services to take care of your carpet cleaning needs. Commercial cleaning services provide customized cleaning plans to give you the exact, comprehensive, and quality service you need. Also, these office cleaning services companies hire professional cleaners, train them, and equip them with advanced cleaning techniques and equipment to ensure safe and thorough cleaning of your office. Their experienced cleaners are fully trained and well-versed in handling various cleaning and building maintenance tasks, including deep cleaning. Lastly, hiring professional cleaning services from legit professional commercial cleaning companies can help you save precious time and money in the long run. Not only that they have the manpower and special equipment to provide the highest quality cleaning, but they are also extremely efficient. They can work around your schedule, reduce downtime, and improve the productivity of your workplace. Read Also: Why Is A Janitorial Service For Commercial Establishments? 10 Pro Tips To Minimize Commercial Door Repair & Maintenance Cost The Hidden Damages In Workspaces: 5 Steps To Reduce The Risk Of Workplace Injuries!

The Meaning Behind Today’s May 21 Horoscopes

People born on May 21 are usually associated with harmony and generosity. They are polite and use nice words when they address others. Their abilities are diverse, which makes them excellent in a variety of situations. Whether in a work setting or a social one, people born on May 21 can excel in a wide range of fields. Listed below are some characteristics of those born under this sign. Read on to learn about what this day holds for you. Gemini A Gemini born on May 21 has an intense desire to succeed and often views the world on an epic scale. While this trait can make them seem ruthless or dictatorial to others, Geminis are also very generous and will go out of their way to make sure everyone they come in contact with feels special. They have a natural flair for chatting with other people and have a knack for making people laugh. Despite their tendency to be ruthless, Geminis born on May 21 are also very ambitious and often end up investing in things that have meaning for them. Those born under this zodiac sign are prone to making the right decisions at the right time. They are also more adaptable and can understand the big picture better than those born under other signs. Mercury, the planetary ruler of Gemini, is also said to be a sign of creativity and adaptation. Gemini's love of travel and communication makes them good candidates for careers in the travel and tourism industry. Virgo In today's Virgo may 21 horoscopes, we'll look at how to make the most of this day for the signs of Virgo. A large debt or expense may trigger stress. Mars can inspire Virgo to take bold risks, such as raising rates, collecting overdue payments, or seeking partial loan forgiveness. Virgos may also find love and connection through spirituality. However, it's best to tread lightly - this sign is prone to possessiveness and jealousy. Virgo's ruling planet is the Moon. That's why we'll get a lot of inspiration from Virgo's May 21 horoscopes. This air sign will have a lot of opportunities for love. However, you should try to stick to your routine. In addition, you should try playing the lottery on your lucky dates and days! Virgo may also have luck in a love-making relationship or in the world of business. Taurus Today is a good day to meet an influential person. You might perform well in your job and expect a promotion. You may settle a dispute about inherited property today. Geminis may be busy with their children, or they may be planning higher education to pursue a new career path. In this case, you should try to find ways to let out your pent-up energy. A friend may be just the person you need to release your pent-up energy. Your health today is good, but you should avoid bad habits. The Taurus horoscope for May 21 recommends following a healthy routine and exercise. This way, you'll have a better time than you would otherwise. Your Taurus will thank you. But he will also be jealous and not appreciate those who show signs of weakness. You can help your Taurus partner's health today by getting them out for a walk or running. Aquarius If you're an Aquarius, there's a good chance you're feeling very passionate right now. But you should think twice before you express yourself or speak your mind. Try to explain your feelings in a simple way, and if a heated situation arises, you should try to walk away from it. Take a deep breath, and try to work things out instead of reacting in a fiery manner. There are a few things to consider about the Aquarius May 21 horoscope. First, the Sun is about to move into Gemini, which will bring positive energy flying around. Librans, Aries, and Capricorns should try to broaden their horizons, and Geminis should think about sharing and learning more. The sun will be retrograde until June 21. You may also want to listen to your inner guidance. Today's horoscopes The zodiac signs have unique traits and characteristics and it is important to know them so that you can plan your day accordingly. For example, Aquarians will enjoy their work today as they will be rewarded for their hard work and may gain social respect. However, overworking their mind may make them tired and prevent them from attending family events. Pisces may visit a religious place to find inner peace. Moreover, the color cyan will be beneficial to them. For a businessman, this day is excellent for financial gains. Leo will get positive news from the family. He may even plan to start a new profession. However, he should be careful about his financial commitments. He should avoid getting into heated arguments and spending unnecessary money. He may also need to stay away from junk food. However, he will experience a good love life. Moon in Aquarius The full moon of Aries falls in the fifth house of fun and pleasure, so you can expect to be inspired to celebrate and party. You may find yourself reuniting with your inner child, exploring new things, and making new memories. A new financial opportunity will appear that seems like a big step forward. Your financial future could be determined by a new mortgage, business investment, or venture with your spouse. The full moon on Tuesday represents an energetic high. It's a good time to expand your horizons, get out and mingle, and listen to the work of others. However, if you're a dogmatist, this lunation could confuse you and cause you to question yourself. In this case, make room for understanding. Aquarians should be open to new romantic relationships or explore old ones. Sun in Gemini If the Sun is in Gemini on May 21, you have a wonderful opportunity to be the center of attention for everyone. This air sign is always on the go and is often associated with learning, sharing, and fun. Mercury, the ruling planet of Gemini, oversees all of these areas, as well as communication, transportation, and technology. Because of these attributes, Gemini people are often highly social and like to mingle. If the Sun is in Gemini, the zodiac sign that is most impacted by this alignment will be Aries. Those born under this sign are likely to enjoy open and sunny love life. People born under Pisces, on the other hand, will likely find compromising and compromise difficult. For love matches, remember that the numbers 3 and 8 represent kindness, creativity, and the Karmic relationship between material comforts and spirituality. For astrological compatibility, you may also look for colors that represent psychic powers. In astrology, the colors purple and orange are associated with psychic strength and positive fortune. Besides the sun and moon, the planets Jupiter and Venus rule the day. Moon in Virgo The full moon in Sagittarius on May 21 will affect your home, family, and inner feelings. You may feel stressed about debt or large expenses. Mars in your horoscope on June 18 will motivate you to take bold risks, such as raising rates, getting partial loan forgiveness, or earning a windfall. While you may feel discouraged by the unknowns, keep moving forward. This full moon represents an energy high, and Virgos should make plans that will make them feel happy and fulfilled. If you are single, this Moon will encourage you to be social, listen to other viewpoints, and explore your talents. If you are a dogmatist, however, this full moon could throw you off track. Try to make space for new ideas and perspectives. You will be surprised by how useful they are. Agate gemstone The Agate gemstone can be very auspicious for people born under Gemini, who are often highly mental and sometimes hyperactive. Hence, it is said to help the Gemini to improve their courage. Agate is a grounding stone that also stimulates the intellect and sharpens the vision. The gem is also said to dispel negative energy. Geminis like gifts that help them realize their dreams. Virgo people are very practical and meticulous. They are also perfectionists and seek to be surrounded by good things. Carnelian, the gemstone for the Virgo sign, helps Virgos to become more practical and analytical. Agate is also said to improve Leo's ability to accomplish their goals. It is a very powerful motivator and attracts wealth to the wearer. Mercury in Gemini If your chart features the ruler Mercury, you may find this aspect confusing. Mercury retrograde affects your relationships with your loved ones, and you may find yourself disorientated and confused on May 21st. On the other hand, this aspect can bring clarity and favorable lighting to your finances. As a sign of wisdom and receptivity, Gemini people are encouraged to bring more generativity into their lives. Jupiter and Mars in Aries are joining forces in a fertile time for Gemini and Aries. Although Mercury is still retrograde until June 3, this transit will give you a reminder to focus on your relationships. Spend time caring for your inner self, especially your relationships with your siblings. You may feel tempted to avoid addressing these issues or to numb them with escapism. However, the astrological signs agree that nurturing your inner self is essential to enhancing your emotional well-being. Additionals Understanding New Age Spirituality5 Key Signs of Genuine Kundali Software

5 Best Online Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits

We live in what is perhaps the most unpredictable time of the century. There is a pandemic out on the streets and we have been forced to abandon our ways of interaction. Businesses have been forced to adapt almost overnight, bringing about a radical shift in operations. Nonprofits have also been forced to do the same. In just the last year the importance of fundraising platforms has risen exponentially. Fundraising has been the key to the operations of any and every nonprofit. Lately, the more commonly relied-on fundraising methods have been made redundant. A lot of nonprofits have been forced to go back to the drawing board and reevaluate ways to gather funds. Luckily the existence of text messaging platforms for nonprofit can easily get into the middle of it and utilize the same channels to make their ends meet. Why does online fundraising work? The reason is simple; we live in times where people are willing to lend out a helping hand, anywhere, anytime. Nonprofits simply need to host events online and let their donors know that they are very much active and are trying to make a difference in their communities irrespective of the condition. Sending your message across and showing them the work you are doing can appeal to all kinds of donors. Nonprofits can quickly adapt using fundraising platforms to reach out to donors and volunteers using the same methods that businesses rely upon. These channels have now become the normal way to work through and nonprofits have realized that they also need to be malleable. The pandemic has changed our understanding of what normal is and donors will be understanding. This is why hosting events, and especially fundraisers online has shown a lot of promise. Let us look at five great ideas you can use to supercharge your online fundraising campaign. Five great online fundraising ideas 1. Peer-to-peer fundraising The most innovative and proven way to raise funds online is through peer-to-peer fundraising. P2P fundraising accounts for nearly a third of every online donation. The idea is to use the credibility of your donors and their contacts to gather funds for your nonprofit. A great statistic is that ¼ emails sent by P2P fundraisers to their peers result in a donation. It might seem meager, but it is staggering when you compare it to the fact that 1/1250 emails from nonprofits result in a donation. Nonprofits can encourage donors to raise funds and run campaigns on their behalf. They can enlist the help of fundraising platforms to build their campaigns and send emails to their peers. Nonprofits can set up these directly on their websites. They can even use a personal appeal and a social sharing button on their website for direct encouragement. 2. Email flash fundraiser Another third of every donation made online comes through Emails. Yes, even in this day and age when instant messaging is the norm, E-mails more than do their part to raise funds. It is one of the older ways to gather funds and chances are your nonprofit has already finished its email fundraising campaign for the year. No worries, there are no limits to how many times you can leverage email fundraisers. A great idea would be to select a day and conduct an email fundraising blitz. You should not choose a popular day such as Tuesdays. Enough organizations are running Giving Tuesdays. Instead, choose a day that has symbolic importance to your organization or its cause. Your emails should build up a narrative that highlights your cause, the day, and a call to action. Urgency is the key and the better you express the need of the hour, the more likely you are to receive donations. You may go through: 8 High-Need Animal Shelter Donations 3. A drive for donation matching The idea behind donation matching is to encourage people to contribute, knowing that in the grand scheme of things the total donated amount will be big. Use the frenzy created by your flash email fundraising campaign to launch a drive for donation matching. You can secure a match from a company and advertise it in your email campaign. Donation matching is a good way to keep the interest afloat and to attract the younger crowd. Studies show that millennials are more likely to donate if they know companies are going to be matching their donation. Donation matching can also be used to boost a fundraiser. If there is a noticeable decline in the donations, launch a donation matching drive amid another campaign to acquire more funding. 4. Crowdfunding There is this misconception amongst nonprofits that crowdfunding is meant only for individuals. This fact could not be further from the truth. Nonprofits can use crowdfunding to amass a wealth of funds in a very short period. They can also use crowdfunding to appeal to a whole new group of donors. Through crowdfunding, nonprofits can gather funds for specific causes and projects. Nonprofits can easily set up a page on crowdfunding sites. They also have social sharing options to further promote your cause. PRO TIP: Before you choose a crowdfunding site, check if they have an easy-to-use UI, integration with compatible software, a mobile-friendly page, and space to tell your story. 5. Prospect research While this may not qualify as an idea as such, prospect research can help you land big philanthropists for your donation pool. Nonprofits can conduct thorough research to identify prospective donors. Doing so can help them focus on donors that can make a difference. Prospect research is especially important when it comes to online donors. The reason for that is online donations come in small amounts and it is hard to identify which donors can contribute in a big way. Research can help you land bigger donations. Final Thoughts These are just some of the ways you can maximize your donation pool through online fundraisers. By using the right tools and strategies your nonprofit will be back on its feet and perhaps, even run better than it did before. Read Also: Turn The Tables For Helpless Children With Car Donation In New Jersey

5 Tips for Turning Your Church Around

Here are 5 Tips for Turning Your Church Around:

1. Acknowledge that your church has a problem.