Aslan Housing Foundation的动态

?? Pastors, are you ready to break free from the office and truly engage with your community? ?? At the Effective Church Group, we believe that true ministry happens outside the office. Our latest blog post reveals five and a half secrets to effectively engaging with your community. Learn how to connect with the unchurched and implement strategies that will foster church growth. These insights are crucial for anyone looking to make a real difference in their ministry. Don't miss this valuable resource! Read the blog now! https://lnkd.in/ebzsTeTU #effectivechurch #churchgrowth #pastors #church #communityengagement #ministrytips

Preaching used to be a calling. Then it became a profession. Today it's a business. It pays no taxes, and its employees are volunteers who work for free. A preacher is a proxy with no accountability, who delivers a consistent message every 7 days: "In order to receive, you have to give, and if abundance is your wish, best you give all you have." Is it time to shoot the messenger? There are 7390 churches in South Africa as of December 1, 2024. The majority of them are single-owner operations. The average age of churches in South Africa is 4 years and 9 months; This when its core business, Christianity, turned 2025 only a few weeks ago. Starting a church is as effortless as falling out of bed. Registering requires only three unrelated directors. Convenient considering Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” 80% of South Africans identify as Christians, and Grahamstown, having the most churches namely 52, has been christened the City if Saints. Lalibela in Ethopia with its stone hewn churches is known as the Jerusalem of Africa. The largest church auditorium in the world is the Glory Dome in Abuja, Nigeria. Inaugurated in 2018, it seats 100 thousand people. The world's largest sporting event, the Super Bowl, plays host to around 70 thousand spectators and generates a billion dollars. The average salary for a pastor in South Africa is close to ZAR 30,000 per month. An Uber driver, working 7 days a week, makes around?R6,975 per month. Neither requires a formal education. No surprise then that a church has become the goto start-up in Africa? After all, who needs a Unicorn when you can be ordained by God? Want to nail me to the Cedar yet? Slowly does it now.. Where there is an opportunity to turn a profit from deception, people with ill intent will find it, and abuse it. The church is not immune to this, and don't say we have not been warned. Matthew 24:11: "and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people." I have seen pastors in designer suits, living in upmarket houses, flying first class, And so also pop-up churches in struggling communities, where a minimum wage congregation embraces a preacher who earns ten fold from their offerings. And everyone says amen. Still remember where it all started? Simple men in sandles, traveling dusty desert roads on foot, only occasionally being fed by either those they serve, or the wardens who incarcerated them. Prosperity preachers, however, have turned what used to be a calling, into a business; Their call to action, flawless. "Pay, pray and wait." The perpetual lie. Asking much, delivering nothing. Salvation does not have a price tag. Be careful then of any business who gets fat on charging you for it. This goes for Temu, but also the church. #bigbusiness #choosecarefully #bewatchful

?? Is your church struggling to grow and attract visitors? The key might be in building a solid reputation! Discover how one church transformed its community presence and made a lasting impact. Read our latest blog post to learn practical strategies to enhance your church's reputation and foster growth. In this insightful piece, we discuss the importance of community engagement, trust-building, and long-term impact. Don’t miss out on these valuable insights that can help your church thrive in its community. ?? [Read the blog post at https://lnkd.in/e55Twy9h ] #effectivechurch #churchgrowth #pastors #church #communityengagement #churchleadership

6 Things You Can Actually Do To Help A Homeless Person https://lnkd.in/giBqrPJM #Christian #Christianity #Catholic #CatholicSocialTeaching #charity #compassion #homelessness #generosity #patheos #faith #spirituality #kindness #KindnessMatters

In our?Helping without Hurting in Benevolence Ministry?training, we share principles and tools to help you build a ministry that leads to real change. But there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for every church. In order to create a benevolence program that works for your specific church context, you may need to make adjustments to fit your church’s specific capacity. Local churches can vary dramatically in terms of the financial, human, and networking resources they can devote to their benevolence ministries. For example, most small- to mid-sized churches do not have full-time, paid staff to oversee their benevolence work, while some larger churches do. Here are some questions that can guide you toward creating a healthy benevolence ministry that works for you. 1?? How many members/regular attendees does your church have? 2?? How many paid staff does your church have? Count ministerial roles, not administrators or support staff (unless they help with outreach/benevolence). 3?? What is your current annual benevolence budget? Include only the money specifically given toward or earmarked for caring for those in poverty?in your church and/or community. Once you’ve answered these questions, consider the following levels we share in the post below to help you focus on building a benevolence ministry that fits your church. https://lnkd.in/gr9yk4ix

"Our brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness remind us that true peace cannot exist while some among us lack the basic necessities of shelter, warmth, and dignity." What is true peace? Read more in the second in our series of Advent Devotionals: https://loom.ly/i0p6CqY

?? Pastors, are you ready to break free from the office and truly engage with your community? ?? At the Effective Church Group, we believe that true ministry happens outside the office. Our latest blog post reveals five and a half secrets to effectively engaging with your community. Learn how to connect with the unchurched and implement strategies that will foster church growth. These insights are crucial for anyone looking to make a real difference in their ministry. Don't miss this valuable resource! Read the blog now! https://lnkd.in/eUUu_JUJ #effectivechurch #churchgrowth #pastors #church #communityengagement #ministrytips

?? How Does Inflation Affects Church Finances? ?? Inflation affects everyone—including churches. Rising costs can challenge donations, increase operational expenses, and stretch resources for charity. In my latest article, I explore how Catholic leaders can navigate these challenges while staying true to their mission. From practical financial strategies to drawing on scripture and Catholic social teachings, the article offers insights to help churches maintain their vital role in the community, even during economic hardships. Let’s discuss: How can faith communities adapt to financial challenges while continuing to serve and inspire? Share your thoughts below! ?? #FaithAndFinances #ChurchLeadership #InflationImpact #Stewardship #CatholicSocialTeaching #CharityWork #CommunitySupport #FinancialPlanning #ChurchFinances #FaithInAction #MissionDrivenLeadership #EconomicChallenges #PrudentStewardship

Churches play a vital role in many communities, offering spiritual guidance, social support, and a sense of belonging. However, they are increasingly facing significant financial hardships that threaten their sustainability and, by extension, their ability to serve their congregations and communities effectively. Churches often rely on outdated financial models. Without the knowledge of modern financial strategies, churches may struggle to adapt to changing economic conditions, increasing their vulnerability. The financial struggles of churches extend beyond their walls. When churches face fiscal difficulties, their ability to provide services—such as food banks, counseling, and youth programs—diminishes. This gap often falls on local governments and non-profits, which may not have the resources to fill it, leading to increased hardship for community members. Moreover, a lack of financial literacy within the church can perpetuate broader community issues. Congregations that do not prioritize financial education may miss opportunities to teach their members about budgeting, saving, and investing, which can hinder overall economic stability in the community. By enhancing their financial literacy and diversifying their income streamsIn conclusion, the financial hardships faced by churches pose significant risks not only to their survival but also to the well-being of the communities they serve. By prioritizing financial education and innovative strategies, churches can reclaim their vital role in fostering resilient and thriving communities. #god #church #Bible #jesus #godisgood #godlovesyou #jesuslovesyou #jesuschrist #jesusisking #lordgodourfather #godfirst #prayer #prayerwarriors #prayerworks

While there are many faith-based NGOs and development organizations, Western churches are still largely underutilized in longer term development work around the world, despite the fact that churches have a built in motivation by virtue of their beliefs. Why, then, are churches not being activated into development work as much as they might be? I offer six possible reasons: 1. Relief and development are not understood to be on a continuum, but rather separate. Relief, by virtue of the fact it is episodic in nature and emotionally-compelling, has a stronger draw for church engagement. 2. Relief is more "packageable" and thus more tangible than longer term development. Church members feel a greater sense of agency to do something tangible to bring relief in places of disaster, emergency, or war. They can fill a box or purchase a blanket to bring immediate relief. 3. In some conservative church contexts, development is seen as a more liberal ideal, or at least an idea that could pull focus and resources away from more overtly spiritually-focused objectives. 4. Development requires greater collaboration with governments and organizations--relationships the church or church network may not be part of yet. In some cases, actually avoiding these relationships might be seen as a better strategy because of differences in values and focus. 5. Churches are quite responsive to field personnel with whom they have some relationship, but relief and development tasks are not often the first job responsibility (or expertise) of said personnel. There may not be a long term strategy in place for churches to engage in. 6. Some places of the world are not welcoming or hospitable to people of certain faiths, even though those places may benefit most from development projects. My subjective experience in Western church contexts leads me to believe that church members are generous and open to further global engagement beyond short term relief projects, given the right framing and opportunity. I am not arguing for LESS engagement in relief, but a more holistic engagement strategy that includes both relief and development. More research needs to be done on this topic. Faith leaders have a great opportunity to educate congregations on global strategies that include relief and development in harmony with the benevolent motivations already embedded in their faith.