For most of us, a new year represents an opportunity to identify any potentially harmful habits that have crept into our life and purpose to do something about them.  You know, habits like eating, exercising and daily time in the Word.  The Bible calls them "little foxes that spoil the vineyard."

In the same way, an organization has a way of creeping toward sloppy software habits - many times for good reasons.  For example, we have had one software to help us host videos and another one to manage marketing for many years.  Early last year, we found  a software that excels at automated webinars. We started using it to learn how to effectively automate our webinars.  A few months ago, we realized we could do the same thing by combining features we already have with our video and marketing software.  So, last week we built the required landing pages and went from 3 back to 2 software applications. (See the results by clicking the links on our Webinar page.)  It felt like we lost 10 pounds.

Great news!  We are just about to the end of 2020.  I think all of us are ready to move on to 2021.  But, before we go, I thought it would be interesting to review the 52 posts of this blog this year to see what we might glean as we look ahead.

Like sparks from kindling wood promising warmth and light against the darkness, Advent starts with prophetic voices announcing hope for a coming messiah in the midst of a dark time. 

I remember from my church staff days that it was all hands on deck for Christmas Eve  services.  I see the staff at my church today all working together to cover volunteer spots for these services just like we did.  Because it is such a special time for families, I doubt  this stretch for volunteers on Christmas Eve will ever change.  But, we can help.

As the Andy Williams song (Youtube) tells us, this really is the most wonderful time of the year.  But, like everything else in 2020, the pandemic is making us re-think how we do Christmas services and events. 

(verse 3) There will be services for reserving and childcare for serving.  Families wary to go.  Because of scary Covid stories and tales of the gories of viruses long, long ago. 

Peace on earth and goodwill toward men.  This chorus about the coming Messiah is especially good news for us in 2020.  Our family so longed for this gospel message that we decided to put up our Christmas tree on Halloween day!  

What is your favorite resource on the Internet?  YouVersion Bible?  A YouTube Channel? Right Now Media? The Bible Project? Sermon Archives? A Blog Post?  Imagine people sending a text to your church office number with a keyword of your choosing that would take them directly to that website? The LINK functionality of Text-to-Church does exactly that.

Some good news - It's finally November, 2020. 

We're on the last lap of this most unique year. Many churches have started and are starting to meet for large group worship on Sunday again.  Many will still wait a couple more months or longer. Some have restarted and had to go back to just live stream due to a Covid outbreak in their community.  But, whenever the time is right for your church, you're going to want a way to track the comeback. 

None of us will forget 2020, that's for sure.  As churches are starting to meet back, it's good to see check-in start to pick up again.  Here are a few blog posts since Covid started on ways we've adapted check-in to this new world.

Room Check-in, Count and Close
Medical Affirmation Before Check-in?
Text-to-Check-in for Virtual Attenders

As both veteran and new clients are thinking about their new approach to check-in, we often get asked if we can accommodate their different ideas.  Because our system is so robust we are almost always able to accommodate. 

Let's face it, working through Connection Cards consumes a lot of staff time.  Administrative staff spend time entering data, sending communication and making follow-up assignments.  Ministry staff spend time trying to connect with people, personally leaving too many voicemails that never get further follow-up.

A Digital Connection Card used in conjunction with our Workflow and Assimilation Tracking is the system you are looking for to free up time from tedious work and optimize personal relationships.