Home Blog

Top 21 Online Giving Software Services for Your Church [2023]

Online giving platforms can help your church increase donations by an average of 40%

Are you pleased with your church giving software?

Ensuring you have a way to take digital tithes and offerings for your church will provide an easy way for your church members to donate online, through an app, with a giving kiosk, or even via text. Digital church giving platforms make giving easy and convenient for everyone involved.

Plus, with online giving for church, you can set up recurring donations, which will help ensure that your ministry never falls short of the funds it needs to operate successfully. And because many digital giving platforms allow you to set up automatic reminders to donors, you can be sure that even the busiest members of your congregation will remember to give what they can.

With today's online and mobile giving solutions for churches, it's easy to use effective best practices to nurture digital giving with your church attendees.

But first, you need to ensure you have the best church giving software solution in place. . .

The Top Features Of The Best 21 Church Giving Platforms

We've summarized and shared 21 Digital Church Giving Platforms and some of their most outstanding features for churches below.

If you'd like to quickly jump to a specific giving platform, click the links below.

21 BEST CHURCH GIVING PLATFORMS (2022)

1. DigiGiv

Digigiv 1
https://ministrydesigns.com/online-giving/

DigiGiv by Ministry Designs provides churches with robust data, powerful reporting systems, and interactive giving options that will skyrocket your church's giving.

  • 100% free text to give powered by Text in Church
  • Send a text to your personalized phone number and receive donations at the click of a button
  • Donor migration, donor management, text message follow-up, pledge management, and donor history are just the tip of the iceberg

In addition, DigiGiv is designed to make the user experience for an admin as smooth as possible.

  • Segmenting your giving and creating specific allocations for your funds has never been easier
  • Recurring giving is the fastest way for donors consistently tithe
  • Online giving through your church administrator is excellent for church members to not only give online but also call your office and ask your authorized church staff member to process a gift

✅ Online Giving
⛔ Giving App
⛔ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

2. Donately

donately
https://donately.com/for-churches/

Church leaders use Donately to manage their online fundraising campaigns and take recurring donations. Church membership is increasing, but many churches still struggle with maintaining monthly balances due in part because it's hard for them to make changes on an annual or sustained-giving level without disrupting the routine of how members give each month financially. 

  • Easily collect donations from members on a recurring basis to stabilize your monthly balance sheet
  • Adjust the cadence of any recurring donation with just a few clicks from your Donately dashboard
  • Weekly for tithes
  • Monthly for sustained giving
  • Annual for special campaigns

✅ Online Giving
⛔ Giving App
✅ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

3. Donorbox

https://donorbox.org/church-fundraising

Donorbox helps you raise more donations and grow your church. You can start fundraising or taking offerings in minutes with a customized donation form. You can easily enable text giving for Sunday service and all church events or even add designated funds to raise donations for mission trips and larger projects.

  • Enhance the church donation experience with multiple currencies, language, and payment options
  • Raise funds for that long-awaited church hall renovation or add the Mother's Room that your church needs.

✅ Online Giving
⛔ Giving App
✅ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
⛔ ChMS Integration

4. EasyTithe

EasyTithe
https://www.easytithe.com/

easyTithe claims to help churches grow giving by more than 32%. They partner with your team and equip you with the necessary resources to succeed. 

  • Visualize data and monitor your giving in real time using their powerful reporting system.
  • Make ministry decisions informed by accurate data.
  • Help givers understand the impact their contributions make.
  • Free resources to help your church with onboarding and engagement

✅ Online Giving
✅ Giving App
⛔ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
✅ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

5. GiveForms

GiveForms
https://www.giveforms.com/platform

According to their website, “GiveForms lets you seamlessly embed a form on your website, allowing visitors to donate using a credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, bank transfers, or bank transfers.  You can maximize recurring donations, delight donors, and grow your movement.”

  • Grow Predictably with Recurring Donations
  • Branded Emails & Receipts
  • Notifications and Monthly Reports
  • 99.9% uptime guarantee
  • All transactions are secured using 256-bit SSL encryption and PCI DSS A-EP
  • Payment information is tokenized and never stored on GiveForms servers

✅ Online Giving
⛔ Giving App
✅ Apple Pay
⛔ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
⛔ ChMS Integration

6. Givelify

Givelify
https://www.givelify.com/organizations/solutions/giving/

Givelify says they help you “reach donors where they are,” whether on your website, social media or in person. 

Givelify offers a three-tap giving experience, leading to 75% of donors completing their donation once started. On other platforms like Givelify, only 25% complete the donation process.

  • Free tools and resources to power your mission
  • Easy platform to engage donors
  • Learn what makes your donors give
  • Reach donors where they are
  • Recognize their generosity through custom messaging

✅ Online Giving
✅ Giving App
⛔ Apple Pay
⛔ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

7. Gyve

Gyve
https://gyve.com/

Gyve is a giving platform that centers around helping church leaders accelerate generosity. Many of Gyve’s users have tripled the number of first givers using Gyve’s platform and techniques. In the last year, their churches saw an overall increase of 76% in online donors. Plus, their online reporting tool helps simplify money management. 

  • Round-up features to help givers “round up” to the nearest dollar during everyday purchases
  • Six ways to give with cash, check, card, text, app, or web
  • Option for donors to cover fees
  • Text giving
  • Giving statements
  • Lifetime gift tracking
  • Guest giving
  • Split donation options

✅ Online Giving
✅ Giving App
⛔ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
✅ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

8. Kindrid

Kindrid 1
https://www.kindrid.com/

Kindrid’s mission is to equip 100% of your church to give instantly. Their powerful church app, Ministry One, keeps everything in one place, from giving to prayer requests to sermons. This means that with Kindrid, your church can participate in your church’s vision every day of the week. 

  • Simple for givers
  • Essential for staff
  • Congregants can give instantly whenever they are inspired
  • Large resource library with video courses on giving and donor engagement

✅ Online Giving
✅ Giving App
⛔ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

9. MightyCause

MightyCause
https://www.mightycause.com/pricing

With MightyCause, every campaign, donor, and transaction detail is reported and analyzed for you, ensuring you have everything you need to engage with your givers.

  • Create an all-in-one fundraising website for building a new community or fostering an existing donor base
  • Display your church, talk about your mission, and provide avenues for contribution
  • Highlight campaigns and causes that directly support your church
  • Integrate donation processing into your website, or use your Mightycause profile page to fundraise
  • Engage your supporters with user-friendly peer-to-peer and team fundraising
  • Use automated donor data and donation reports for essential customer relationship management

✅ Online Giving
⛔ Giving App
✅ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

10.NewFire Giving

Newfire Giving 1
https://www.newfiregiving.com/getstarted/#signup

NewFire Giving promises to improve your church's financial health by helping you increase one-time digital donations and automated recurring giving.

  • Customize your messaging
  • Set unlimited ministry designations
  • Equip donors to set up one-time or recurring giving with a debit card, credit card, or bank transfer
  • Track campaign pledges in real-time
  • Manage donors easily with their SecureGive dashboard
  • Monitor giving trends
  • Communicate to your donors
  • Complete capital campaigns with ease

✅ Online Giving
✅ Giving App
✅ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
✅ Giving Kiosks
⛔ ChMS Integration

11. Nucleus

Nucleus 1
https://www.nucleus.church/giving

Nucleus Giving's tool GivingFlow claims to cost 5x – 20x less than any other platform on the market and have the lowest processing rates in the industry. With a straightforward way to give, Nucleus says its giving platform is as “easy as dropping cash in the plate.”

  • GivingFlow can exist on every page of your church website
  • GivingFlow is mobile friendly
  • Tool Suite to help your financial team easily handle everything
  • NucleusFlows (Add-on) allows you to create unlimited custom forms and take payment as well as custom information for events, merchandise, or even conferences
  • Fixed monthly rate
  • Nucleus does not take a cut of the tithe

✅ Online Giving
⛔ Giving App
⛔ Apple Pay
⛔ Text-to-Give
✅ Giving Kiosks
⛔ ChMS Integration

12. OnlineGiving

OnlineGiving
https://www.onlinegiving.org/churchonlinegiving

“OnlineGiving's platform is a set of cutting-edge ministry tools designed explicitly for Evangelical Christian Churches.” 

OnlineGiving claims to help you increase generosity and grow recurring givers by helping you process digital giving on many platforms, including web, mobile, text, kiosk, chatbot, Facebook, and more!

  • 13 ways to give
  • Advanced ChMS integration
  • Auto recurring giving
  • Donors can cover the fees
  • Custom giving pages
  • Instantly give in three seconds or less with one-click gift completion

✅ Online Giving
✅ Giving App
⛔ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
✅ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

13. PayPal

Paypal Giving
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/nfp

With a network of 375+ million PayPal users in 200 markets, PayPal promises to connect you with donors, no matter where they are. Their fundraising tools utilize the power of technology and network to boost nonprofit fundraising. They have tools for organizations of every size. The name-brand recognition of PayPal helps donors feel secure and safe when giving.

  • Discounted rates
  • Secure transactions
  • Easily track donations
  • Fast access to funds
  • Online fundraising
  • In-person fundraising

✅ Online Giving
⛔ Giving App
⛔ Apple Pay
⛔ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
⛔ ChMS Integration

14. Planning Center

Planning Center
https://www.planningcenter.com/giving

Planning Center Giving makes it easy for people to give by helping you accept and process donations, track trends, and issue statements. With Planning Center’s Giving product, you can track 100% of tax-deductible donations and pledge campaigns for 501c3 organizations.

  • See donations as they come in on a live-updating feed
  • Monthly Forecasting
  • Estimate next month's income using recurring donation trends
  • Profiles: View a complete picture of each donor's giving history, no matter how they give
  • Statements: Create accurate and complete reports with ease
  • Donor Pledges: Track individual giving commitments from donors towards campaigns and share their progress in statements

✅ Online Giving
✅ Giving App
✅ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

15. “Pushpay” from Pushpay Online Giving

Pushpay
https://pushpay.com/product/church-giving/

PushPay promises to make giving simple and flexible while maintaining the functionality to “track, manage, and grow donations.”

According to PushPay, “Inspiring your congregants to give can be hard. It doesn’t have to be if you use the best online giving platform, which includes text-to-give and QR codes.  Our church giving app makes online giving easy, fast, and secure for your members and includes church giving software that promotes recurring giving on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.”

  • Make giving simple and flexible
  • Enable donors to give quickly, anywhere, anytime, on any device.
  • Fast and secure
  • Support any donation across mobile, online, text, and kiosks.
  • Keep it branded
  • Integrate your church brand into your giving experience.

✅ Online Giving
✅ Giving App
⛔ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
✅ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

16. Raisely

raisely 1
https://raisely.com/online-giving

Raisely is a tool that offers nonprofit clients a free fundraising suite that grows as you do. Their platform allows you to create custom donations forms that look good on any device, and their 3-step donation process has proven to increase conversions.

  • Convert more with one-click donations
  • Grow your recurring fundraising revenue
  • Secure payments in 130+ currencies
  • Amplify your impact with matched giving
  • Get payments directly to your bank
  • Discover your next fundraising side-kick

✅ Online Giving
⛔ Giving App
✅ Apple Pay
⛔ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

17. Stripe

Stripe
https://stripe.com/us/pricing

Stripe is a comprehensive platform for nonprofits to accept online donations. They offer many features tailored to the needs of the church and nonprofit communities, but your team may need some technical skills to complete specific tasks or integrations.

Stripe also allows users transparency into where each donation goes thanks to its built-in donate page analytics tool, which provides real-time updates about how your organization spends money when fundraising. 

Best of all, Stripe makes it easy to accept one-time or recurring donations to support your mission. 

✅ Online Giving
⛔ Giving App
✅ Apple Pay
⛔ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
⛔ ChMS Integration

18. Subsplash

Subsplash
https://www.subsplash.com/giving

Subsplash says they “make giving easy with seamless mobile and online giving for churches.” The Subsplash product enables church members to give online anytime from anywhere, whether on your app, website, or text-to-give. Plus, with their low processing rates and no monthly or hidden fees, Subsplash promises to be easy on the bottom line. 

  • Custom branded giving experience 
  • Top-notch security recurring gifts 
  • Donor covered fees 
  • Donor reports and transaction history 
  • Web integrations
  • Guest giving
  • Check scanning
  • Bulk import

✅ Online Giving
⛔ Giving App
⛔ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

19. Tithe.ly

Tithely
https://get.tithe.ly/us/pricing

Tithe.ly was born mobile first as a text-to-give app. Today, with six ways to give integrated into one easy-to-use platform, it's one of the ideal giving products for churches and ministries. 

  • Mobile-optimized and customized giving forms
  • Track all online and offline giving into one consolidated system
  • Reporting tools to track every gift and deposit
  • Accept and manage pledges for pledge campaigns
  • Embed giving forms onto your website, your custom church app, or button
  • Donor login, interface, and profile management
  • Customizable emails
  • Instant receipts

✅ Online Giving
✅ Giving App
✅ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
✅ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

20. Vanco

Vanco 1
https://www.vancopayments.com/egiving

Vanco is a customizable giving platform that has increased donations by an average of 26% for its users. Their software claims to remove barriers to repeat giving by streamlining the process for automatic gifts and helping churches create compelling appeals.

  • Provide a seamless checkout process for one-time or recurring donations, payments, and registrations
  • Get coaching from eGiving consultants, customer support, and online resources to guide you every step of the way

✅ Online Giving
✅ Giving App
⛔ Apple Pay
✅ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
✅ ChMS Integration

21. Virtuous Payments (RaiseDonors)

Virtuous
https://explore.raisedonors.com/payments/

Virtuous Payments is an integrated payment management platform supported by RaiseDonors. The platform promises to give your church or nonprofit control of gift processing and reconciliation. Additionally, they have built their platform to deliver the personal connection your givers want when they give a gift.

  • 24/7 security and fraud protection
  • Cost-saving processing rates
  • Hand-on support (for forever)

✅ Online Giving
⛔ Giving App
✅ Apple Pay
⛔ Text-to-Give
⛔ Giving Kiosks
⛔ ChMS Integration

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS FOR ONLINE GIVING

If you're looking for an easy way to increase your church's income, implement a digital giving platform. With so many good options available, there's bound to be one that meets the needs of your congregation. 

Plus, with recurring donations and automatic reminders, it's easier than ever for donors to contribute what they can to support your ministry. 

Video vs. Live Teaching: What Multisite Strategy Is Best For You?

Multisite Strategy Questions #1: When a church decides to launch its first campus, one of the biggest questions is, “How will we share our messages with them?” 

Determining which strategy is best for your church requires your team to think through a variety of factors: 

  1. Should we use video or live communicators? 
  2. How much will the technology cost? 
  3. Would our teaching team and content translate well on a screen? 
  4. Do we want every campus using the same message each week?
  5. What type of Campus Pastors will we need to hire? 

… just to name a few. 

Choosing the best teaching model for your church is critical to the successful launch of new campuses—and there are pros and cons to each approach, especially in the areas of financial investment, sustainability, scalability, and leadership development. 

When choosing a multisite strategy -- video teaching or live teaching -- consider the pros and cons to each approach, especially in the areas of financial investment, sustainability, scalability, and leadership development. Click To Tweet 

How do churches choose their multisite strategy? Considering finances, scalability, and more, leaders choose between video or live teaching.

The Case for Video Teaching 

We often liken multisite to a chain restaurant. Despite differing owners and employees, a customer should be able to walk into each unique location with similar expectations and receive a similar experience. The same is true of a multisite campus (and if this idea makes you uncomfortable, you may want to consider church planting rather than going multisite). 

Video teaching is one key strategy for developing unity throughout multiple campuses, as it ensures every campus has a consistent teaching experience. Video teaching also helps to enable a complete alignment of mission, vision, and culture across all locations. 

In video teaching campuses, Campus Pastors can focus their time on teambuilding, pastoral care, and leadership development without the additional burden of sermon preparation. This also allows your church to leverage your teaching team for greater impact with no additional prep time.

More on multisite: Is Your Next Multisite Campus Online?

How do churches choose their multisite strategy? Considering finances, scalability, and more, leaders choose between video or live teaching.

The Case for Live Teaching 

The “pros” of live teaching are mostly related to leadership development: live weekly teaching opens up more opportunities for developing new communicators and provides more growth opportunities for those with strong teaching gifts. Live teaching also requires less financial investment into streaming equipment and other technology. 

However, there are several challenges to this approach:

  • Having live teachers at every location can easily lead to misalignment of mission, vision, and culture—as the weekend message is the most influential and consistent piece of communication.
  • Weekly message prep reduces the amount of time Campus Pastors can invest in their teams.
  • Live teaching creates a greater staffing challenge: every campus needs to find a pastor who is both a high-capacity leader and also a strong communicator. 

For these reasons, best practices point to a multisite strategy of video teaching to start. This teaching model provides a consistent teaching experience and maintain unity across locations. 

Choosing Your Multisite Strategy

In addition to a careful study of several churches that employ the different multisite strategies, also call on your connections with other pastors and leaders to inquire about their experience.

  • How does their chosen strategy benefit their mission? In what ways has it been a barrier?
  • Were there unforeseen obstacles or costs that weren't factored into the plan?
  • How has their specific multisite strategy burdened or relieved leadership? Which teams are especially important based on their chosen method?

Need resources? The Unstuck Group has valuable, free resources that have helped thousands of churches choose their multisite strategies. Bookmark their website or follow on social to keep up with the latest in ministry training, practical tools for church leadership, and helpful webinars and trainings.

How did you decide on your church's multisite strategy? What questions should other leaders be asking?

8 Church Online Giving Capabilities That Still Matter in 2022

Church online giving software is kind of like a smartphone. As it grows more sleek and capable, there are still some foundational user-friendly features it MUST have to be fit for use. 

Since we’re still in the first half of 2022, now’s the perfect time to evaluate whether your giving platform is more like the newest iPhone . . . or the relic Blackberry. 

Think about it: many of your givers adjust giving online when a new year rolls around. What kind of experience do they have?  

With frustrating, outdated online giving, would-be givers often put off figuring it out until later . . .  and it can take months before they decide to try again.

Your church’s donations platform should never stand in the way of someone giving cheerfully—and it shouldn’t make tasks harder for your staff either. Here are eight features that make or break it.

Encourage digital donations when you offer online giving capabilities like multiple options, recurring giving and recipient categories.

5 Must-Have Online Giving Features For Your Donors

1. Multiple EASY ways to give

People must be able to give from your website; it’s the first place most look for that option. People also expect to be able to text to give.

Giving from your church’s app is one more method to consider, especially for younger members.

And finally, kiosk giving with a tablet. Kiosk giving allows people to pay with a card for church youth tee shirts, materials from your church’s bookstore, coffee—really, anything you want—just like they can pay with a card almost anywhere else (even farmer’s markets in tiny towns). 

Each of these methods must be user-friendly with a professional look and no hoops to jump through like requesting a passcode to give on your church website. In 2022, this is non-negotiable. 

Making giving easy with an option on your website as well as text-to-give, church app, and kiosk giving with a tablet. This will allow seamless transactions for bookstore resources, church merch, or coffee, too. Click To Tweet

2. Recurring giving

People want to give—but they don’t want yet another task on their to-do lists, and even planned giving can be easy to forget. Recurring giving is a must to help them give as they intend, both for those who have an account and for people who choose to give as a guest.

Need ideas? 3 Proven Ways To Seamlessly Promote Recurring Giving

3. Multiple giving categories to choose from–including special-use funds 

Neglecting this simple feature causes churches everywhere to lose donations.

When people go to give online, adding a note to a donation—e.g., “for Kentucky tornado relief”—feels like sending a message in a bottle. It might end up in someone’s hands . . . but it could also float off unseen into the sunset. 

Because of that uncertainty, it's critical to create multiple giving categories for the donors. Otherwise, online givers can feel like they have to give cash (which many people don’t even carry anymore) or a check (same) in a marked offering envelope. And the extra steps of remembering to get cash or dig out a checkbook from who even remembers where often mean that donations don’t get made for special giving opportunities, especially if they’re time-sensitive.

So the ability to create a fund for everything you’re raising money for, not just general year-round categories like missions, remains a must-have. Ideally, givers can split one gift across multiple funds. For example, their gift of $500 total can be divided: $400 to the general fund and $100 to benevolence.

4. The ability to pay any applicable giving fees

Most givers (over 70%) want 100% of their gift to go to their church and would like the option to pay any fees associated with their gift.

5. Personal giving dashboard 

Yes, people need giving statements for taxes. But they shouldn’t have to wait for a statement to see how much they’ve given or whether they’re on track with their giving goals. 

A dashboard presenting that information in a clear, user-friendly format is the answer.

Encourage digital donations when you offer online giving capabilities like multiple options, recurring giving and recipient categories.

3 Must-Have Online Giving Features for Your Staff

1. Multiple ways to accept donations—and not just digital ones

Even with the increased adoption of giving online, people will still give cash, checks, and gifts in kind (like a couch for the youth center) in 2022. Online giving software should allow your church to record donations in any way your people want to give, online and off.

Learn more: 7 Online Giving Features Your Church Isn't Using (but should be)

2. Automatic statements

Sending giving statements can take hours that span across days. Or it can be done for you while you’re grabbing coffee with a teammate.

Quarterly, semiannual, and annual automatic statements—along with the ability to add a personalized message—help keep giving top-of-mind for your members. 

3. Gifts dashboard

Your finance team’s dashboard should include the graphs, charts, and data options that help you see a clear picture of your church’s giving—for example, number of gifts, total gift amount, average gift amount, weekly average, and daily average.  You should be able to see what percentage of gifts were one-time and recurring, how donations were spread across different funds, and more.

GIVING SOLUTIONS

If your church needs an upgraded giving solution, take a look at Servant Keeper ChMS with Faithlife Giving included for no extra cost. The combination provides you with a well-rounded church management system and a giving solution that makes generosity easier for your givers and your staff.  

Every feature (all those mentioned above and more) is included with all plans, so even the smallest church can offer an excellent online giving experience on the web, mobile, by text, and through kiosk giving.

Boost your online donations with these 4 Simple (But Often Overlooked) Ways to Increase Online Giving.

Watch Saddleback Online Pastor Jay Kranda Provide Over-The-Shoulder Church Website Audit

In this video, watch Jay Kranda, the online community pastor for Saddleback Church, perform a church website audit for Grace Community Church in Arlington, VA.

church website audit example

In this over-the-shoulder video, the idea is to see what he sees through this free digital audit of Grace Community Church's website, located at https://www.trygrace.org.

digital audit template

Jay reviews the following four areas:

  1. Website review
  2. Streaming of worship service
  3. Social media review
  4. Digital experience options

If you're interested in church online and digital ministry, you can find more of Jay's resources at www.jaykranda.com

3 Limiting Beliefs Preventing You From Finally Becoming A Digital Outreach Leader

0

Hey there! I recently spoke with a church staff leader who believes that traditional methods are the only effective ways to grow and nurture their congregation. It was like for every opportunity I presented, they had an argument for why it won't work.

If you're like this leader, you're not alone.

But today, I want to point out some limiting beliefs that I believe are reinforcing that view, and most importantly providing self-fulfilling prophecies for social media and digital outreach failures.

I common thread is that church staff in this camp often view new technologies and platforms, like social media, with skepticism or even disdain. This conservative approach might feel safer but can prevent a church from reaching potential new members, especially younger demographics who are highly active online.

Isn't it time to challenge these outdated views? Let's talk through 3 critical limiting beliefs together:

3 Limiting Beliefs You Must Conquer For Digital Outreach Success

Limiting Belief 1: Social media doesn't really work

Many pastors think that social media is just a place for sharing personal moments or trivial content, not a platform for serious engagement or spiritual growth.

Is it possible they are missing out on a powerful tool?

  1. They see few immediate results and dismiss its long-term benefits.
  2. They hear about negative experiences and apply specific potential outcomes universally.
  3. They overlook and discount success stories from churches that thrive online.

This belief isn’t grounded in the realities of today's digital world.

Start small: optimize your social media profile, share weekly sermons or thoughtful quotes, and interact with responses. But above all, commit to consistent publishing for at least 4-6 months. And make sure to respond to any comments or DM's you get because direct engagement can quickly show the impact and reach of social media.

You shouldn't expect instant results of church visitors and regular attenders, but a church that starts posting sermon snippets on social media, leads to increased website views, which leads to potential plan your visits, to attendance and engagement from those who resonated with the messages shared online.

Are you sure social media won’t work for you?

Taking the first step can open up new opportunities for outreach and community-building. It's important to explore and adapt to new possibilities.

Stay open to new methods; the results might surprise you.

Limiting Belief 2: Social media takes too much time, it is a time suck.

Social media can be efficient if used wisely.

Some believe that maintaining an active social media presence requires constant attention and will detract from other pastoral duties.

Real progress doesn't require 24/7 monitoring.

  1. 15 minutes in the morning to post a daily thought or prayer.
  2. 20 minutes during lunch to respond to comments and messages.
  3. 10 minutes in the evening to plan the next day's posts.

With this simple schedule, social media becomes a manageable part of your daily routine, not a burden.

If you commit for this upcoming season to putting your church's social media activities on the calendar and spending just an 45 min a day for 4 – 6 months, you can double your outreach and help community members feel more connected.

Reflect on your daily schedule. Can you integrate social media without overwhelming yourself? Can you empower someone else on staff, if you don't have to time personally to do it? Someone needs to have it on their calendar for work every day.

Focused, regular updates build a consistent presence that encourages interaction and growth.

Embrace this baseline factor of consistency, and you'll see it’s not just manageable but beneficial.

Limiting Belief 3: It's complicated and so hard to learn and master.

The fear of technological complexity is common among those unfamiliar with digital platforms.

Social media is like any new tool—it seems complex until you use it.

  1. Signing up and setting up an optimized profile takes less than an hour.
  2. Learning to post and interact can be achieved with a few tutorial videos or live workshops.
  3. Regular use solidifies your understanding and efficiency.

You control the pace. Start with the basics and expand your skills over time.

By setting gradual goals, you not only master the basics but also discover creative ways to engage your congregation.

Does the initial learning curve justify avoiding social media altogether?

Tackling this challenge head-on can lead to significant rewards in outreach and engagement.

Now, let’s recap what we’ve covered.

By confronting these three limiting beliefs, you position yourself not only to grow your congregation but also to connect with individuals in a meaningful, modern way.

Move forward with confidence, knowing that the barriers you face are surmountable with small, consistent steps. Your community awaits on the other side of that digital divide.

Resources of the Month: The Bookends of the Christian Life and Athanasius (audio)

Free eBook Resource of the Week: The Bookends of the Christian Life

f9IDLGR1zh9us10EpSnFVTm4WKpzkq6L443D9g97YAtIRUWmxQL8KZveLyZCgCUFkO7hA1x6oKXOui9 Rd4rrr5V0CeKWs kSppUzLWJUb 7tOUeUsDltvL NAlDI XBGr4nzNEB3hRF4 4e X HpY

The authors use an extended metaphor to serve up a little book with a big message about two essentials of the Christian life. What do bookends have to do with the Christian life? They are a metaphor that Jerry Bridges has developed over the years, and which he and coauthor Bob Bevington flesh out in this small volume. The two “bookends” explain not only how we as sinners can be made acceptable to a holy God but also we can find the power to change. They are thus essential for the Christian life.

The Bookends of the Christian Life
Jerry Bridges, Bob Bevington

Retail Price: $14.99 on Amazon
Current Offer: $0.00
Get your copy of the book here.

W NL cQ3xZv5F9INp8bR131ocxQ4wrmnVxa0YWCVdVi1m M4we2LW7dICMctv9XQx7jyg4ij8oSW 07SwfwS7fL3TI6RPNgf Zl7PVP Kg1fFXvKySHmAWiKWaWQSk9iUTsWVc8c7Tl5SnuGa D1zSA
3CTJXBkqbGbB5hpB9skhdfyhR8N3m5YIfMwcXQLRckFgvjj2T 3DDXfB

9f8YU4fgjeSnhjia06aphCHD3SIYShkNzUZzUQCK9MdhjTFs22OXBkwAlJiBrWjTRKZAWs8 404fPqvqOtlXjkEO8Zg622E4E4c7o5rAsOdpeMNHnJ7tFz6I1FkstgRgYgy6bXeFpWQpD1WdQPO W3M

Free Audio Book Resource of the Week: Athanasius

zm0IBKXH0z23MRQo bJD4UiJflsh9uJSW9nkjvzawymYHotGbiLSi7GmGsnSGJEnaYblFdvlUvy070DXHWvQtQ ngodORNo aE5J9Ai44E1gNWRdOcxf8Lg8Ebb wvkFu9vCpNCqskQwpphV17SS4OU

A complex and fascinating character, Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, is best remembered as the Father of Orthodoxy, upholding the doctrine of the Trinity against the Arian heresy. In the newest addition to the Christian Biographies for Young Readers series, author Simonetta Carr introduces children to the life and times of this important church father who tirelessly defended the Nicene Creed, which many of us today recite as a confession of our faith. Born during the Great Persecution, forced five times to leave his church and city, and constantly threatened by those who tried to ruin his reputation, Athanasius provides an example of godly faithfulness. Beautiful illustrations and a winsome, simply written narrative will bring the Nicene Creed to life for children of all ages, prompting relevant discussions on the divinity of Christ and the importance of creeds and confessions. FIRST PRIZE winner of the 2014 Athanatos Children’s Book Awards. Simonetta Carr was born in Italy and has lived and worked in different cultures. A former elementary school teacher, she has home-schooled her eight children for many years. She has written for newspapers and magazines around the world and has translated the works of several Christian authors into Italian. Presently, she lives in San Diego with her husband, Thomas, and family. She is a member and Sunday school teacher at Christ United Reformed Church. Illustrator. Matt Abraxas has traveled from California to France, studying different approaches to art. He enjoys creating and teaching art, and currently exhibits his work at the SmithKlein Gallery in Boulder, Colorado. Matt lives with his wife Rebecca and two sons, Zorba and Rainer, in Lafayette, Colorado.

Athanasius

Current Offer: $0.00
Get your copy of the audiobook here.

ZyAnjPzhUesYnXS131R

What’s Happening With AI [April 2024]

AI is here to stay. And it's also advancing rapidly, so here's a roundup of select highlights from various outlets including Fry.ai, Superhuman.ai, The Neurondaily.com, and Neonpulse.beehiiv.com so that you can find the nuggets that may be interesting and relevant to you as a leader. 

Quote we are pondering: 

“AI is as big a change as the internet, perhaps more so. And in just a few years, people will wonder why we weren’t wondering better.” Seth Godin

BIGGEST NEWS OF THE MONTH

Anthropic’s Claude Opus (supposedly) dethrones OpenAI’s GPT-4 but I guess you can try it for yourself. Here’s how:

Go to the Claude website and sign up.

  • You can enter your prompt in the text box and press enter to get a response.
  • Claude 3 is multimodal, which means it can understand text, images, PDFs, and other formats.

THINGS TO TRY WITH CLAUDE.AI

  • Summarize Files like PDFs, research papers, essays, and more.
  • Understand Images: Upload an image, like a complicated diagram, and ask Claude to explain it to you.
  • Understand Complex Calculations: You can upload images of a calculation and ask it to explain what the equations are for and how to use them.
  • Suggest Design Improvements: Upload an image of a website — or even your living room — and ask how you can improve the design.
  • Transcribe Handwritten Notes: Upload pictures of handwritten notes and ask Claude to transcribe them for you.

You can access the mid-range Claude 3 Sonnet model for free but the top-end Opus model requires you to subscribe to Claude Pro.
SOURCE

IN OTHER NEWS

Note the use of “co-pilot” in the latest iteration of AI apps. AI can be a great aid or co-pilot…but probably not…at this point in time…the pilot.

Would you want to have an avatar of a departed loved one or would that be TOO creepy? It’s an interesting question and there is an industry springing up about that very topic. These bots are called “thanabots” and you can read about them HERE.

In healthcare. Nvidia has joined forces with AI healthcare pioneer Hippocratic AI to develop generative AI “agents” capable of surpassing human nurses in video call interactions while significantly reducing costs. These AI agents come at a fraction of the cost (they only cost $9/hr to operate compared to an average of $39.05/hr for human nurses). SOURCE

AI Brings Toys To Life: Innocent Little Toys OR Creepy Chucky-like Minions? Read pros and cons of Curio’s toy AI-infused stuffy’s HERE

Have you or the young women ever dreamed of being Barbie…Come on. Well… go HERE and upload your favorite photo and see what happens. 

Voice cloning is here and just getting better. Speechify just asks for 30 seconds of your voice and they’ll take it from there. Lot of mischief to come. Imagine the creativity to come next April first. SOURCE

Taking pictures of your meals may now be HELPFUL! (Come on…I cant be the only one who does this.)  CalorieAI allows you to track your calories by simply taking photos of your meals! SOURCE

The share of Americans who have used ChatGPT for work has more than doubled from 8% to 20% since last March. We should wonder what it will be like a year from now and wish what we did today in view of what is surely coming. SOURCE

Midjourney has introduced a new feature called “Character Reference,” aimed at solving the common issue of generating consistent characters across different images. I have a buddy who is writing a children’s book about his life as a child and uses this for his art work. SOURCE

Ever wonder if you could aggregate TikTok data to create your next great travel experience. Time to explore Letstrip.ai. I used it to explore a couple upcoming trips and it was so good I printed it out and plan to follow it. SOURCE

How to summarize meetings using AI. One of the most glaringly obvious use cases in AI: meeting summaries. For Zoom power users, use Companion AI (here’s a how-to). 
SOURCE

Got a blurry old family photo that you want to enhance? Or maybe you’ve got a tiny pixelated image you’d like to upscale for work? Here’s how to do it in just a few clicks:

  • Go to the Krea AI website and log in with your email account
  • Click on the Upscale and Enhance option. SOURCE

Chat GPT has a slide creator! I gave it a try and it was OK but of course it will get better. Find the Slide Creator GPT directly here. SOURCETimely thoughts: Rather than jumping on the AI bandwagon cause it's a hot trend, organizations should take a more level-headed approach.Start by clearly identifying the business problems / inefficiencies you want to solve. Isolate small parts that you can solve with easy-to-setup tools like ChatGPT.Even better, consider whether you even need AI. Sometimes you just need a project tracker, not fancy AI!Start with small pilot projects to prove value before making big bets.Provide training and education for employees on how to use AI effectively, starting with our Intro to ChatGPT course! SOURCE

NEW AI TOOLS YOU MIGHT LIKE

Eightify—summarizes YouTube videos.
Gamma—helps make presentations.
Photoroom—AI editor for stuff like removing backgrounds.
Pixelcut—AI that creates product photos.
Phind—coding assistant and search engine.
Speechify—text-to-audio tool w/ celebrities voices.

The entire report is worth a read!

HELPFUL GRAPHS AND CHARTS

Each month going forward I’ll attach graphs and charts that seem to tell a story and give us a bigger grasp of the impact AI is having on our lives and the world around us.

A graph of a number of people

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

SOURCE




SOURCE

SOURCE

Image

SOURCE

A graph with numbers and text

Description automatically generated

SOURCE

Top AI tools (It might be helpful to investigate each one)

A screenshot of a website

Description automatically generated

SOURCE


That’s it for this month. Keep on learning. Keep on experimenting!

5 Ways Logos Can Help You Prepare Your Sermons

Discover how Logos can aid pastors in preparing sermons, offering efficiency and enjoyment in the process.

In the world of sermon preparation, every pastor yearns for the wisdom of Solomon, the patience of Job, and the oratory skills of the Apostle Paul. But fear not, dear pastors, for Logos is here to be the Aaron to your Moses, aiding you in crafting sermons that resonate and inspire. Let’s embark on a journey to explore five ways Logos can help you prepare your sermons, making the process not only efficient but also enjoyable.

1. Preaching Suite: A Comprehensive Toolkit

The Preaching Suite is like having a team of theological scholars, designers, and orators all in one place. It offers a comprehensive toolkit that streamlines your sermon preparation. From insightful commentaries to beautiful visuals, the Preaching Suite provides everything you need to prepare a compelling sermon, allowing you to focus on delivering God’s message with clarity and conviction.

Imagine Noah trying to build the ark without a blueprint. That’s sermon preparation without Preaching Suite – likely possible, but undoubtedly cumbersome!

Prepare compelling sermons with Logos’ Preaching Suite—a comprehensive toolkit that streamlines sermon prep, offering insightful commentaries and beautiful visuals. Learn more on the CTT blog. Click To Tweet

2. Sermon Manager: Organize with Ease

With the Sermon Manager, you can plan and organize your sermons efficiently. It’s like having a personal assistant, ensuring your sermons are well-organized and easily accessible. Plan your sermon series, keep track of holidays and special events, and ensure your sermons align with the liturgical calendar, all with the help of the Sermon Manager.

Consider the organizational skills of Billy Graham. His sermons and crusades were meticulously planned and organized, ensuring his message was always clear, concise, and impactful.

business technology and asian woman in office wo 2023 11 27 05 33 38 utc

3. Sermon Builder: Craft Your Message

The Sermon Builder is your personal scribe, helping you craft your message with precision and creativity. Easily integrate scripture, commentary, and personal insights, creating a seamless, cohesive sermon. The Sermon Builder ensures your message flows smoothly, allowing you to focus on sharing the Gospel with passion and authenticity.

Think of the time when you had a divine revelation in the shower, but the essence got lost in translation by the time you reached the pulpit. With Sermon Builder, capture those divine insights and seamlessly integrate them into your sermon, ensuring your message resonates and inspires.

4. Preaching Mode: Deliver with Confidence

Step up to the pulpit with confidence with Preaching Mode. It’s like having a teleprompter tailored for pastors, ensuring you never lose your place and keeping you on time. Deliver your sermon with the confidence of the Apostle Paul, knowing that Preaching Mode is there to guide you every step of the way.

It’s like having a biblical GPS for sermon delivery – no more getting lost in the pages of your notes!

5. Proclaim by Logos: Engage Your Congregation

Proclaim by Logos ensures your sermon is not just heard but also seen and felt. Create beautiful, engaging presentations that complement your sermon, ensuring your message resonates with your congregation. It’s like having a professional design team at your fingertips, enhancing your sermon delivery and ensuring your message makes a lasting impact.

businessman on the podium speaking at the conferen 2023 11 27 05 00 27 utc

Elevate Your Sermon Preparation with Logos

And that’s a wrap! I hope that this quick summary helps you to elevate your sermon preparation with the powerful tools offered by Logos. From the comprehensive Preaching Suite to the engaging Proclaim by Logos, ensure your sermons are not just delivered but are also impactful, resonant, and memorable. Embark on the journey of sermon preparation with Logos, and experience the joy of sharing God’s word with clarity, conviction, and confidence.

Podcasting? Why You Should Use Adobe Enhance Speech To Fix Your Terrible Podcast Audio

Need a Helping Hand with Logos or Proclaim?

We not only know the ins-and-outs of Logos and Proclaim, but we are always available to provide assistance! Visit our website at https://logosdaily.com to get to know our coaches and even book one-on-one time with one of our experts. We look forward to hearing from you, and hope that both your studies and your preaching are blessed. Be blessed!

What tools do you frequently use to level up your sermon preparation?

7 Ways To Use Text Messaging For Discipleship


RESOURCE DOWNLOAD: Text Message Template Library (22 pages)

In an era where technology intersects with every aspect of life, churches have a profound opportunity to utilize text messaging as a means for deepening faith and fostering community among their congregants. As pastors, understanding and implementing strategic text messaging practices can revolutionize how discipleship is approached in the digital age.

text messaging for discipleship

1. Daily Devotionals: A Morning Dose of Faith

Nourish Faith Daily
The rhythm of daily life often leaves individuals searching for spiritual grounding. Embedding Scripture into the fabric of this daily hustle through text messages offers a moment of reflection and connection with God, setting a tone of faith and purpose from the moment the day begins.

Scripture at Sunrise
Imagine receiving a verse or a thought-provoking devotional piece each morning. This small but powerful gesture can remind congregants of God’s presence in their lives, offering spiritual sustenance that feeds their day with hope and direction.

Automated Spiritual Touchpoints
Leveraging automated messaging platforms, pastors can schedule these daily devotionals to ensure consistency. Themes can be prayerfully chosen to align with the liturgical calendar, sermon series, or specific spiritual disciplines the church is focusing on, creating a cohesive spiritual journey for the congregation.

2. Prayer Requests and Updates: Fostering Community Through Prayer

Unity in Prayer
The act of sharing prayer requests is a tangible expression of community, reminding us that we're not alone in our struggles or celebrations. It creates a web of mutual care and support, vital for building a resilient and connected church body.

A Circle of Prayer
Through text messaging, the prayer life of the church can be invigorated by the ease with which prayer requests are shared and received. This immediate sharing fosters a sense of urgency and importance around the power of prayer, making every request a collective call to spiritual action.

Managing Sacred Requests
A dedicated team can manage the flow of prayer requests, ensuring confidentiality and respect. With systems in place to anonymize sensitive information, these prayer needs can be distributed widely, allowing the entire church community to bear one another's burdens in prayer, thereby fulfilling the law of Christ.

3. Event Reminders: Enhancing Community Engagement

Never Miss a Beat
In the flurry of modern life, church events can slip through the cracks of our busy calendars. Timely text reminders serve as gentle nudges, encouraging increased participation and engagement in church activities, which are crucial for fostering community and spiritual growth.

Save the Date
The simplicity of receiving a text message about an upcoming event, complete with an encouraging word or relevant scripture, can significantly impact attendance and participation. It bridges the gap between intention and action, turning passive interest into active involvement.

Scheduling Success
Utilizing a text messaging platform to schedule event reminders ensures that congregants receive timely information. It's about more than just attendance; it's about preparing hearts and minds to receive what God has in store at each gathering, thereby enriching the communal worship experience.

4. Encouragement and Inspiration: Uplifting the Congregation

Words of Hope
Life's challenges can often feel isolating, but a well-timed, encouraging text can be a lifeline to someone struggling. These messages remind congregants that they are seen, loved, and supported not just by their church family but by God Himself.

A Ripple of Encouragement
By sending out regular inspirational messages or quotes that tie back to recent sermons or teachings, pastors can reinforce key spiritual truths. These nuggets of wisdom can serve as beacons of light, guiding individuals through their week with grace and strength.

Personalized Motivation
Crafting these messages with a personal touch can deepen the sense of connection between church leadership and the congregation. Utilizing insights from pastoral care encounters or common themes observed within the community, these messages can be tailored to meet the spiritual needs of the congregation effectively.

5. Bible Study Highlights: Reinforcing the Message

Deepen the Impact
The richness of Bible study can sometimes be lost in the busyness of life. Providing a concise summary of key points and takeaways via text message helps reinforce the message, encouraging deeper reflection and application throughout the week.

A Week in the Word
Following a Bible study, a quick recap sent to participants can serve as a reminder of the discussion and insights shared. It acts as a spiritual bookmark, helping congregants to revisit and reflect on the lessons learned.

Effortless Recap
The study leader, or a designated note-taker, can compile these highlights to distribute to the group. This practice not only aids in retention but also encourages those unable to attend to stay engaged with the study’s progression, fostering a sense of continuous learning and community.

6. Accountability Check-ins: Strengthening Spiritual Disciplines

Cultivating Commitment Staying disciplined in spiritual practices can be challenging, but regular check-ins via text can provide the necessary nudge to keep congregants accountable to their commitments. This method supports the cultivation of habits like prayer and Scripture reading, foundational to deepening one's faith.

A Friendly Reminder By establishing a system where individuals receive weekly messages asking about their engagement with spiritual disciplines, churches can encourage perseverance and growth. These check-ins can be personalized or general, but the goal remains the same: to motivate and support each member’s spiritual journey.

Building Accountability Partnerships Encouraging members to pair up for mutual accountability or having pastoral staff initiate these conversations can create a strong support network within the church. Transparency and encouragement through these texts can significantly impact individuals’ spiritual lives, fostering a culture of accountability and growth.

7. Service Opportunities: Mobilizing for Mission

Called to Serve Text messages can act as a clarion call to action when needs arise within the church or broader community. Highlighting immediate service opportunities mobilizes the congregation quickly and efficiently, embodying the church’s mission to serve others.

Immediate Impact Whether it’s a call for volunteers, a sudden need for donations, or an opportunity to support a community event, text messaging can spread the word swiftly. The immediacy of text messaging means that these opportunities don’t get lost in the shuffle of daily life, allowing for quick and effective congregation mobilization.

Seamless Coordination By coordinating with various ministry leaders, pastors can ensure that the congregation is informed about where they can lend their time and talents. Detailed messages, including specifics like time, location, and items needed, ensure that those who feel called to respond can do so with all the information at their fingertips.

Text messaging, when used thoughtfully and strategically, can be a powerful tool in the hands of church leaders, enriching discipleship and deepening the communal bonds of the congregation. Through regular engagement, encouragement, and mobilization, the church can thrive in its mission, even in a digital age.

ChatGPT vs. Jasper AI: What’s The Difference?

As a pastor or member of the church staff, you're likely aware of the growing buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT and Jasper AI. These Generative AI tools have the potential to revolutionize the way you approach various tasks in your ministry. However, understanding the key differences between these two prominent writing assistants can be a challenge, especially if you are new to this technology.

In this guide, we'll dive into some of the unique features and capabilities of ChatGPT and Jasper AI, empowering you to decide which tool best aligns with your church's needs.

The Versatility Of ChatGPT vs. Specialized Approach Of Jasper AI

At a high level, the primary distinction between ChatGPT and Jasper AI lies in their intended use cases. ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a versatile, general-purpose AI assistant. It can engage in open-ended conversations, answer questions, summarize text, and even generate creative content like stories and poetry. This makes ChatGPT a valuable tool for a wide range of tasks, from sermon preparation to church administration.

One of the standout advantages of ChatGPT is its remarkable versatility. Developed by the renowned AI research company OpenAI, this Generative AI model is not limited to a specific domain or use case. Instead, ChatGPT can be leveraged across a wide range of tasks, from sermon preparation and church administration to creative writing and even technical problem-solving.

ChatGPT's ability to engage in open-ended conversations and tackle a diverse array of challenges is truly remarkable. A pastor can use it to brainstorm sermon ideas, summarize complex theological concepts, and even easily generate personalized prayers and devotionals for their congregation. The possibilities are truly endless.

This versatility is particularly valuable for church leaders who often wear many hats, juggling a variety of responsibilities and needing a tool that can adapt to their ever-changing needs.

At the core of ChatGPT's capabilities lies its advanced natural language processing (NLP) technology. Powered by OpenAI's powerful GPT-3.5 language model, ChatGPT's base offering can understand and generate human-like text with remarkable accuracy and nuance.

The way ChatGPT comprehends and responds to natural language is truly impressive. This natural language processing allows for a more intuitive and conversational interaction, which can be particularly beneficial when working on tasks requiring a deeper understanding or creative expression.

This NLP prowess enables ChatGPT to excel in research, analysis, and even creative writing tasks. Whether you're crafting a sermon, drafting a church newsletter, or brainstorming ideas for a youth event, ChatGPT can provide valuable insights and suggestions that can significantly improve the quality of your work.

Another significant advantage of ChatGPT is its accessibility and affordability. Unlike Jasper AI, which operates on a paid subscription model, ChatGPT offers a free plan that allows users to explore its capabilities without any financial commitment.

The free access to ChatGPT has been a game-changer for many smaller churches and ministries that may not have the budget for a paid AI writing assistant. It's allows pastors to leverage the power of Generative AI without straining any limited resources, which is particularly important in these challenging economic times.

On the other hand, Jasper AI is a more specialized tool, primarily focused on content creation for marketing and general applications. While it can still handle a variety of writing tasks with a chatbot much like ChatGPT, Jasper AI is particularly well-suited for generating high-quality, SEO-optimized blog posts, social media updates, and other marketing materials.

The Jasper AI Advantage: Templates And Seamless Editing

One of the standout features of Jasper AI is its extensive library of over 50 pre-built templates, covering everything from social media captions to video hook & intro generator to a text summarizer. These templates provide a solid foundation for your content and take the pressure off having to learn complex AI prompting techniques.

jasper ai prompt library

Jasper even includes a prompt library that has over 500 different use cases you can use for inspiration. Basically you aren't starting from scratch staring at an empty box to type something in.

Additionally, Jasper AI offers a Google Docs-like editing experience, allowing you to work on and refine your content within the platform seamlessly. This means you can leverage various AI features, such as tone adjustment, keyword optimization, and even image generation, without having to copy and paste between different tools constantly.

In contrast, working with ChatGPT can be more cumbersome, as you'll need to copy and paste your content back and forth between the AI assistant and other tools like Google Docs or Microsoft Word to continue editing and improving your work.

Specialized Language Models And Pricing Considerations

Another key difference lies in the underlying language models. While both ChatGPT and Jasper AI leverage the powerful GPT-3.5 model, Jasper AI has developed its own proprietary models that are more specialized for content creation, particularly in the marketing and business domains. Jasper uses OpenAI's GPT-3 & GPT-4, Anthropic, Google's PaLM 2, and other models all together.

When it comes to pricing, ChatGPT offers a free plan, as well as a paid “ChatGPT Plus” subscription for $20 per month. Jasper AI, on the other hand, is a paid-only service, with plans starting at $49 per month (or $39 per month if billed annually). This difference in pricing structure may be an important factor to consider, especially for smaller churches or ministries with limited budgets. One key opportunity is that Jasper does give pastors the ability to test out all 50+ templates, image generator, chatbot, etc at no-cost via jaspervip.com. The video script generator alone is worth testing out for Sunday morning announcements, social media event promotion videos, etc.

Brand Voice Customization For Your Church

One area where Jasper AI stands out is its advanced brand voice customization capabilities. By uploading your church's brand style guide, mission statement, and other relevant documents, Jasper AI can be trained to generate content that aligns seamlessly with your organization's unique tone, language, and messaging.

Jasper AI's brand voice feature allows you to maintain a consistent and authentic brand identity across all written materials, from newsletters to social media posts to emails, and more. This level of customization is simply not available with ChatGPT.

This specialized feature is particularly valuable for churches and ministries that prioritize a strong, cohesive brand presence, as it ensures that all content produced by the AI assistant reflects the organization's core values and messaging.

In contrast, ChatGPT, while highly versatile, offers limited customization options when it comes to brand voice and style. It is a more generic tool that is not specifically tailored for any particular brand or industry.

Embracing The Future of Ministry With Generative AI

As the world of artificial intelligence continues to evolve, it's crucial for church leaders to stay informed and proactive in their approach to these emerging technologies. By leveraging the power of Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Jasper AI, you can enhance your ministry's productivity, creativity, and reach, all while maintaining a steadfast reliance on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Take the time to explore these tools, understand their capabilities and limitations, and find the one that best complements your church's unique needs and values. With the right Generative AI assistant by your side, you can unlock new possibilities and continue to serve your congregation with excellence.

Want to see more details comparing ChatGPT vs. Jasper AI? Continue reading….

Tools Of The Month: 1.85GB Of Resources Available For Download That Pastors Would Love

Claim the April Church Bundle before it's too late: Mother's Day Media Collection, 2024 Sermon Series Calendar Template, Complete Church Stewardship Calendar, Canva 101 Guide and more. 

6 Downloadable Resources Available At No Cost In This Month's Church Bundle

ss.5
Screenshot

1. Free Mother's Day Media Collection

Get all the media you need (1.7 GB worth!) to theme-out your service, stream, and socials for Mother’s Day.

Includes over 130 service graphics, social graphics, stock images, footage, and even a service opener video that will let all of the moms in your church know how appreciated they are.

 DOWNLOAD the 1.7GB ZIP FILE FOR FREE NOW

a783d8f eca0 70f 86e2 23ae4044e70 The Complete Church Stewardship Calendar

2. The Complete Church Stewardship Calendar

Encouraging your congregation to embrace the principles of stewardship is more than a directive—it's foundational. It's about empowering each individual within your church to recognize their role as stewards of God's gifts.

This Stewardship Calendar isn't just a tool; it's a guide to assist in shaping a culture where stewardship is ingrained in the fabric of your church. Create a community where each person's commitment to stewardship transforms not just their financial standing, but also enriches their spiritual journey.

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE NOW

3ab2810 fb2a bf46 e1ef fa12fd3f6ef Canva 101 Guide

3. Canva 101 For Churches: Get Up To Speed Guide

Are you using Canva for graphic design, videos, and websites? Not a professional designer, and struggle to create amazing graphics for church? 

This FREE “Canva 101: Get Up To Speed” Guide book is here to change that! Go through the Basics, Tips & Tricks, AI features overview, and keyboard shortcuts.

Become a Canva master today. 

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE NOW

756bba2 3e4e 1373 0ffa 280a47a2ec38 sermon calendar spreadsheet

4. 2024 Sermon Series Calendar Template

Complete with everything you need for sermon planning, this excel template outlines your speakers, sermon talking points, illustrations, Bible passages, and more.

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE NOW

fae811c 5c3b c667 ac86

5. 104 Text Messaging Templates for Church Leaders

Get proven templates to effectively connect with your guests and regular attendees so you can foster a stronger and more engaged church community.

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE NOW

b6ba61 a453 1f 270d 7273fd5c6f c3e422b2 da93 4f60 915e 662c0c1b08d7

6. Lead With Confidence: The Pastor's Guide to Effective Staff Meetings

Tired of boring, inefficient staff meetings? Get proven templates, sample agendas, and discussion questions to lead focused, productive meetings that develop your team. Includes 8 meeting types, a full year calendar, pro tips, and more to maximize your limited time.

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE NOW

18 Strategic Benefits Regarding YouTube For Churches

0

As a pastor, you know the importance of reaching out to your congregation and spreading the message of faith. In today's digital age, one of the most effective ways to do this is through video content on YouTube. With over 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube is a platform that allows churches to reach a wide audience and connect with people in a meaningful way. In this blog post, we will explore 57 reasons why churches should start publishing videos on YouTube.

Reasons regarding YouTube for Churches

18 Reasons Why Pastors Should Publish Videos On YouTube This Year

  1. Reach a Broader Audience: By publishing videos on YouTube, churches can reach people from all around the world and spread their message of faith beyond just their local community.
  2. Increase Engagement: Video content is more engaging than text or images, making it easier for viewers to connect with the message being shared by the church.
  3. Share Sermons and Worship Services: Churches can upload or livestream their sermons and worship services to YouTube so that members who are unable to attend in person can still participate in the service.
  4. Connect with Younger Generations: Younger generations are more likely to consume video content online, so churches can use YouTube as a way to connect with younger members of their congregation.
  5. Disciple People Through Online Bible Studies: Churches can create online Bible studies through video content on YouTube, allowing members to participate in discussions and learn more about their faith.
  6. Provide Encouragement and Inspiration: Through videos, churches can provide words of encouragement and inspiration to their congregation, helping them navigate difficult times in their lives.
  7. Showcase Community Outreach Programs: Churches can use YouTube to showcase the community outreach programs they are involved in and encourage others to get involved as well.
  8. Share Testimonials: Videos allow churches to share testimonials from members of their congregation, highlighting how faith has impacted their lives in a positive way.
  9. Collaborate with Other Ministries: By collaborating with other ministries and organizations, churches can expand their reach on YouTube and work together towards common goals.
  10. Incorporate Music into Worship Services: Churches can upload videos of worship songs and musical performances as part of their online services on YouTube.
  11. Increase Visibility Online: Publishing videos on YouTube increases a church's visibility online, making it easier for new members to find them and get involved in the community.
  12. Offer Virtual Tours of the Church Building: Churches can create virtual tours of their building through video content on YouTube, allowing potential visitors to see what the church looks like before attending in person.
  13. Educate Members about Church History: Through videos, churches can educate their members about the history of the church and its traditions, helping them develop a deeper connection with the community.
  14. Raise Awareness about Social Issues: Churches can use YouTube as a platform to raise awareness about social issues such as poverty, inequality, racism, and environmental conservation.
  15. Connect with people mid-week virtual events: Churches can host virtual events such as concerts, conferences, and workshops on YouTube for members and non-members alike.
  16. Provide pastoral care: Pastors can offer pastoral care through video messages on YouTube addressing various topics such as grief, anxiety, or relationships.
  17. Showcase talent within the congregation: Use your channel as an opportunity to showcase talent within your congregation such as musicians or artists
  18. Provide parenting resources: Create videos that provide guidance and support for parents in navigating faith-based parenting challenges

Want to see some good examples of what churches are doing on YouTube? Check out our list of top YouTube Channels by Churches.

Deal Of The Week: $9 Wireless Mics [iPhone & Android] Featured On TikTok Shops

1

Why This Wireless Lavalier Mic Our Deal of the Week

Finding the right audio gear can be a game-changer for anyone involved in creating content. After seeing this wireless lavalier microphone pop up all over TikTok shops, I was intrigued. But it was only when I found it on Amazon—with free shipping and free returns — that I knew I had to give it a try. Here’s why it’s become my recommendation for CTT Deal of the Week.

CHECK IT OUT ON AMAZON: CLICK HERE
USB-C VERSION: CLICK HERE

wireless tiktok shop mics

Cutting Through the Noise

Whenever I'm thinking about recording out and about it means I have to think about the constant background noise, which used to ruin my recordings. If it's outside, it could be the wind and other people's chatter around me. If it's in Starbucks or other space inside, the background noise can't be controlled. This microphone, however, changed all that. Its noise reduction technology ensures that my voice comes through clear and strong, no matter where I’m recording.

wireless mic iphone

Connection Made Simple

I’ve always get annoyed when the setup process for accessories requires fumbling around, settings, or just a plain cumbersome process, but this microphone makes it easy. It’s a true plug-and-play device that connects to any Apple lightning port-equipped device in seconds. As someone who’s always on the move, this simplicity means everything.

Oh, and it is NOT a bluetooth device. You don't have to worry about connection issues with your phone's bluetooth. It's straight forward plug-and-play, for real.

For those Android users out there, they have a version just for you too.

Screenshot43

Freedom to Move

Being tied down by wires isn’t ideal when you’re trying to engage with your audience or capture dynamic content. The up to 50 ft signal range of this microphone gives me the freedom to move around, enhancing my videos and presentations.

Screenshot45

All-Day Battery Life

Nothing’s worse than equipment dying in the middle of a shoot. With up to 4.5 hours of battery life and convenient charging, this microphone is ready for long days. It’s reliable, which is exactly what I need.
CHECK IT OUT ON AMAZON: CLICK HERE

wireless microphone lav mic

Works with My Gear

Compatibility issues can be a dealbreaker, but this microphone fits seamlessly into my setup. It’s designed for devices with a lightning port. So my iPad, as well as my iPhone can be used instantly when inspired to record something. Also, it comes with two wireless microphones and one receiver, so I can use it for myself for a talking head video, or better yet, I can use it for interviews, which I can now do at conferences on the go.

Screenshot41

Seen on TikTok, Bought on Amazon

Seeing this microphone all over TikTok shops piqued my interest, but the deal on Amazon sealed it for me. With free shipping and free returns, there was no reason not to try it. So for, for 2024, it’s the best addition to my recording setup this year.
CHECK IT OUT ON AMAZON: CLICK HERE

Screenshot42

My Verdict

Don’t sleep on this week’s deal. This wireless lavalier microphone has seriously upped my audio game, making my content sound better than ever. If you’re serious about quality, this is the mic to get. With no risk thanks to Amazon’s policy, it’s worth checking out.

Best New Podcast Of 2024: The Monochrome Podcast

Are you a church creative looking for inspiration, practical steps to improve your skills, and to stay updated on creative news? The SALT Community has launched a new podcast that will cater to your needs. 

Here are three reasons why we love this podcast and believe that you will too. 

1. Fast-paced: 

The podcast is designed to provide you with new ideas, concepts, and practical steps quickly. Each episode is under 40 minutes and is jam-packed with valuable information. As we understand the demanding nature of creative jobs in the church, this podcast is perfect for listening on a morning commute or during a lunch break.

2. The Creative Challenge:

Every episode has a creative challenge that aims to push you out of your comfort zone and help you see things from a different perspective. Creativity is not just about completing tasks for Sunday; it is about creating and trying new things to experience the joy of creating. These challenges are excellent reminders and ways to do that.

3. By Creatives, for Creatives:

The SALT Team has been hosting the premier conference for church techs and creatives for over ten years. The podcast is a culmination of all that experience, knowledge, and relationships for your benefit. 

the Monochrome Podcast by Salt Community - church creatives



If you are a creative or tech serving in the local church, you need to check out this podcast.

It has just launched, and three new episodes are available right now! To learn more or listen, visit www.themonochromepodcast.com