Purchasing budgets will be increased as churches must procure additional supplies to re-open safely . Hand-sanitizing stations will need to be purchased and installed in the church . The size of the building will determine the number of stations required . And , if the restrooms weren ’ t equipped with hand sanitizers , they will need to be installed as well . Costs for hand sanitizing stations vary depending on the type — wall-mounted or freestanding — from $ 40 to $ 250 each . Ushers will need to be equipped to take worshippers ’ temperatures as they enter church . Depending on the budget , you will need to decide whether to purchase individual , handheld thermometers which range from $ 20 to $ 200 each . Larger body temperature scanners can reduce the risk of exposure that might be involved with a person using the handheld thermometers , but they are much more expensive : from $ 2,500 to $ 3,500 apiece . The church might also need to purchase PPE for pastors and lay staff . Costs will vary depending on the type of equipment ( facemasks , eye protection , gloves for cleaning ) and the quantity needed . You might also want to provide disposable facemasks for those who come to services without a face covering . Three-ply disposable masks can be purchased in bulk for less than 2 cents each .
The cost ( and benefits ) of reliable communication With most churches operating with reduced capacity to facilitate social distancing , there has been a need for communications platforms — both inside and outside of the church — that allow congregants to register or reserve their seat ( s ) for weekly services to avoid disappointment when they arrive . Congregations are no longer using bibles and hymnals supplied by the church . Most churches have switched to projecting the hymn or praise song lyrics and announcements on a large screen for worshippers to follow along . This might require purchasing a projector and a large screen and training staff to use them . Churches might also want to print signage that directs worshippers when they enter the church to ensure a smooth , oneway flow of foot traffic . Printed bulletins have also gone by the wayside during the pandemic in an effort to avoid multiple people handling items . Many have switched to electronic bulletins and newsletters that can be accessed via the church website or emailed to the congregation . One option is to subscribe to a service such as flocknote . com , which facilitates both email and text communications to members . It ’ s free for congregations of 40 or less and offers affordable incremental pricing for larger groups . Another option is the ChurchCast app , a communications solution developed to help ministers connect with church members , visitors and ministry partners through voice calls , SMS text messages , and emails . It integrates with church information systems , social media accounts , RSS feeds and more . Email and text communications might also help to bolster online giving , as they can include a weekly reminder to make your donation electronically . Two popular online giving platforms are Tithe . ly and Givelify . com . Tithe . ly is an app that lets your church receive donations securely from anywhere , at any time . It allows you to add your church ’ s online giving form anywhere your congregants go — such as your website or partner ministries ’ websites — and users can give by phone and more , resulting in more giving . You are able to create your church giving account in minutes and start taking donations immediately . Givelify is the most downloaded , highest-rated and highestreviewed online giving platform 1 . It ’ s easier than text-to-give donations because Givelify is an app ; there are no complicated SMS numbers and codes ; it ' s available in both English and Spanish versions to help reach bilingual audiences ; it allows you to build custom giving campaigns ; and more . Givelify enables your community to give anytime , anywhere .
Churches have a sacred responsibility to protect those who attend their worship services or other activities — but the pandemic has made that more challenging . We look forward to celebrating the time when we are all able return to worshipping freely , together .
Rev . Clifton Morgan serves as Director , Business Development , at MMBB Financial Services
. [ www . mmbb . org ] Ordained in 1979 , Rev . Morgan has served in many Baptist leadership capacities for more than 30 years . He holds degrees in religious studies and political science from Santa Clara University , and a degree in Secondary Education from San Jose State University . His background includes management training and marketing positions with Agilent Technologies , Hewlett-Packard and The National Urban League . He also served as Associate Director of Secondary Education at LaSalle University in Philadelphia and Director of Fisk Teachers Agency in Philadelphia .
Givelify . com
This post is for informational purposes only . The inclusion of a third-party does not constitute an endorsement by MMBB . MMBB is not responsible for the results obtained from using this information .
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