USA Today recently reported that the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2005 city population estimates show some major population shifts since 2000. In particular, people are leaving large central cities and establishing new lives in the smaller communities of the Sun Belt.

From 2000 to 2005, the highs and lows of population shifts are as follows:

58% – Gilbert, AZ
53% – North Las Vegas, NV
33% - Chandler, AZ
33% – Rancho Cucamonga, CA
32% – Henderson, NV
31% – Irvine, CA
27% – Fontana, CA
25% – Moreno Valley, CA
22% – Bakersfield, CA
21% – Chula Vista, CA
20% – Raleigh, NC
18% – Aurora, IL
18% – Brownsville, TX
18% – Laredo, TX
18% – Stockton, CA
15% – Fort Worth, TX
-4% – Buffalo, NY
-4% – Mobile, AL
-4% - Philadelphia, PA
-4% – St. Paul, MN
-4% – Rochester, NY
-4% – Washington, DC
-5% – Birmingham, AL
-5% – Boston, MA
-5% – Cleveland, OH
-5% – Pittsburgh, PA
-5% – San Francisco, CA
-6% – New Orleans, LA
-7% – Cincinnati, OH
-7% – Detroit, MI

So ask yourself – “How is my community changing?” and “What will my church need to do in response to that change?”

Tricks of the Trade offers this public speaking tip:

When speaking publicly, imagine that your audience is hearing impaired. It will force you to slow down, speak up, and enunciate clearly.

What’s your tip for better preaching? 

Special thanks to Lifehacker for highlighting the tip.

USA Today has an interesting article discussing the growing use of media and technology by the church. Much of it can be summed up with the following excerpt:

Critics rue the potential of bells and Whistler-like video images to distract from the deeper meaning of church. But as the techno-worship trend matures, users say it’s serving a profound purpose: turning sideline sitters into active church participants, cultivating compassion, and making it easier for the taciturn to tell inspiring stories.

The article also quotes some statistics from The Barna Group’s September 2005 report on churches using technology. Noteworthy statistics from that report include:

• 62% of Protestant churches presently use a large-screen projection system in their communications
• 62% of churches incorporate live drama into worship services
• 61% of Protestant churches integrate video content into their worship services
• 57% of Protestant churches now have a website.
• 56% of churches now rely on email blasts for reaching their church members
• 12% of churches offer EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) as a means of donating money to the church

USA Today’s article debates whether this growing use of technology in churches is good or bad. The answer is both. If your church uses technology for technology’s sake, it is a bad decision that will most likely distract people from your message. However, if your church uses technology as a means to enhance the message or to attract or reach more people, than it is a good use of technology.

One thing is certain – technology is becoming an essential part in reaching people with the gospel today. Your church better learn how to use it in a good way.

Brand Autopsy highlighted this great quote on the link between customer loyalty and employee loyalty:

I have yet to find a company that has earned high levels of customer loyalty without first earning high levels of employee loyalty.
-Frederick Reichheld

Pastors/Churches must have loyal staff and volunteers if they want to have a loyal congregation. The congregation will not support a church whose own staff is not loyal to its cause. It is therefore the job of the pastor and senior leadership to be passionate about the church’s vision and to duplicate that passion in their staff and volunteers. People are loyal to their passion. And the congregation will find themselves drawn to a cause that merits such passion.

Volunteers are great! But are they a security risk to your church? Does your church have security measures to keep sex offenders and serious criminals out of your volunteer ranks? The last thing you want is one lurking in your children’s ministry. Although it costs money, it is well worth it to keep your congregation safe and to avoid the risk of devastating news stories if something did go wrong.

One reliable solution is Accufax. They offer six different volunteer screening packages ranging from $17 to $49.45 to accommodate each church’s varying needs for security. The most extensive background check provides:

• State & County Criminal Record Search
• Department of Corrections Records
• Sex Offender Registry Information
• Social Security Number/Previous Address Search
• National Statewide Criminal Check
• National Federal Criminal Check

According to their website:
Under the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) guidelines, your organization has certain legal responsibilities as well as other Federal laws such as the EEOC, and State regulations, regardless of the source of the information.

If you become an Accufax member, they will keep you up to date on regulations and laws that may affect you and your volunteer organization.

Mike Wagner of MarketingProfs.com has presented five questions that kill your brand. However, these questions can not only kill a brand but a big vision. Dreaming big is a vital part of incredible churches. Although in the long run churches need to be practical in their decisions, beginning a creative or planning process with practical questions is a quick way to maim your church’s potential. Let’s take a look at Mike’s five questions and learn how to keep them from killing your church’s vision.

1. How will we do it? If God gives you a big vision, don’t begin by asking how it’s possible. Trust God, and know that through him it is possible. Moses questioned how he would be able to speak to Pharaoh. He thought his poor public speaking made the vision to free the Israelites impossible. If you absolutely know it is God’s vision for your church, don’t begin by questioning the details.
2. How long will it take? Big visions take time. God leads in steps not leaps. Be efficient and use your time wisely, but do not let how long it will take affect you. If you do, you may be tempted to find a quick fix, cut corners, or become discouraged. Don’t focus of time. Focus on efficiency (time + resources + quality).
3. How much will it cost? Do you let accounting guide your church, or does God guide it? If God gave you the vision, it doesn’t matter how much it costs. It will not be cheap. Quality costs money. Plan on it taking budgeting, financial wisdom, and trusting in God.
4. How do we measure it? Do not begin by focusing on measuring results. The redwood trees of California did not grow up overnight. They needed years of nurturing to grow to their now famous heights. You may not see phenomenal results at the beginning. Big visions often have humble beginnings. They need nurtured. Measuring the little results in the beginning will only discourage you. Focus on the vision God has given you and diligently invest in it. Once it is mature, the results will be well worth measuring.
5. How have others done it successfully? You church’s big vision is unique to your church. It does not matter what other churches have done. You need to focus on what God has called you to do and what is the best way to accomplish it even if that means doing something new.

What does your church do to raise money?

First Church of God (Pendleton, OR) sold toilet paper to raise money for their Costa Rica missions trip. You can read the news story at wcbstv.com.

So what innovative things has your church done to raise money? Most importantly, what have you done that has been successful?

It is safe to say that nearly all churches have grandparents attending. Just like any other demographic it is good to know about the people your church is reaching. The U.S. Census Bureau released on Monday their Facts about Grandparents for 2006. Consider the following numbers:

• 56,000,000 (100%): the number of grandparents in the United States
• 5,700,000 (10.2%): the number of grandparents whose grandchildren under 18 live with them
• 2,400,000 (4.3%): the number of grandparents responsible for the most basic needs (i.e., food, shelter, clothing) of one or more of the grandchildren who live with them
• 1,400,000 (2.5%): the number of grandparents who are in the labor force and also responsible for most of the basic needs of their grandchildren
• 920,000 (1.6%): the number of grandparents responsible for caring for their grandchildren for at least the last five years
• 700,000 (1.3%): the number of grandparents with a disability – yet caring for their grandchildren 
• 460,000 (0.8%): the number of grandparents whose income is below the poverty level and caring for their grandchildren
• 28%: Among preschoolers with employed mothers, the percentage regularly cared for by their grandparent during the hours their mom spends employed outside the home. No other type of child care arrangement was more prevalent than by grandparents.