FROM THE EDITOR
PREPARING MINISTRIES FOR WHAT’ S NEXT
Across ministry today, wise leadership requires more than good intentions. From facilities planning and financial stewardship to technology shifts, child protection and operational systems, church leaders face increasingly complex decisions.
In this issue, a host of subject matter experts explore practical strategies to help you anticipate challenges, steward resources wisely, and build ministries that are resilient, responsible and ready for what’ s next.
In“ Built to Serve. Designed to Grow.”( pages 10 – 12), Milestone Church’ s story illustrates how careful planning can position a ministry for long-term impact. What began in a former grocery store has grown into a thriving multisite church through strategic land acquisition, thorough due diligence and thoughtful campus design. By partnering with experienced construction professionals, Milestone leaders developed a scalable campus model that prioritizes worship, nextgeneration ministry and a welcoming guest experience— a framework that continues to guide expansion and future opportunities.
Technology decisions also carry growing implications for churches. In“ Virtualization Volatility: A Tech Shift Churches Can’ t Ignore”( page 13), the acquisition of VMware by Broadcom is examined for its impact on nonprofits. Dramatic price increases are prompting many ministries to reconsider their server infrastructure, potentially migrating to alternatives such as Microsoft Hyper-V, Proxmox or cloud-based hosting. The situation serves as a reminder that staying aware of tech trends is essential for protecting ministry budgets and maintaining reliable systems.
Financial planning extends beyond operational technology. In“ Choosing Between Estate Planning Apps & Attorneys”( pages 14 – 15), readers are reminded that while digital estate planning tools offer convenience and lower costs, they often fall short when legal complexities arise. Situations involving blended families, special needs planning, or multi-state assets frequently require the insight of an experienced attorney to ensure a family’ s wishes are fully protected.
Protecting people— especially children— remains one of the most critical responsibilities in ministry.“ Journey to a Safer Ministry: Moving from Awareness to Protection”( pages 16 – 17) highlights how many incidents of abuse involve trusted individuals using grooming tactics rather than strangers. Effective prevention requires more than surface-level safeguards; it demands training, policies, monitoring and a comprehensive safety system designed to identify and close potential gaps.
Financial stewardship also comes into play when churches pursue construction or renovation. In“ Vetting Your Lending Options”( page 18), leaders are encouraged to begin planning conversations early and work directly with experienced church lenders rather than intermediaries. Direct lenders provide deeper insight into borrowing capacity and long-term financial implications, helping ministries make sound decisions that align with their mission.
Operational efficiency is another key theme in“ An Early Adopter for Seamless Connection”( page 19). Catalyst Church streamlined its data management and follow-up processes by beta testing a new workflows feature within its church management platform. The result: fewer scattered tools, clearer engagement pathways and valuable time saved for staff and volunteers.
Finally,“ Christian Camping: Camp Leaders Taking Steps to Protect Kids”( pages 20 – 22) addresses safety in the context of summer camps. While camps provide meaningful experiences for young people, leaders must recognize the real risk of abuse and implement comprehensive training, policies and supervision systems. Combined with proactive conversations between parents and children, these measures help ensure that summer camp remains both safe and enriching.
CLA churchexecutive. com Volume 25, Number 2
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EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL
Stephen Briggs Associate Pastor of Administration First Baptist Church | Hendersonville, NC
Denise Craig, CCA CEO The Church Network
Mike Klockenbrink Chief of Staff Lakeside Church | Folsom, CA
Dan Mikes Senior Relationship Mgr., Faith Based Banking Division Cass Commercial Bank | Des Peres, MO
John C. Mrazek III Executive Pastor Pathways Church | Denver, CO
Sam S. Rainer III Senior Pastor West Bradenton Baptist Church | Bradenton, FL
Mark Simmons Business Manager Christ Community Church | Milpitas, CA
GUEST EDITORS
Gregory S. Love Kimberlee D. Norris Co-founders & partners Love & Norris & MinistrySafe
A publication of:
As ever, we hope this issue is useful for you and your ministries.
RaeAnn Slaybaugh Editor in Chief
TALK TO ME:
Email: rslaybaugh @ churchexecutive. com Facebook: Church Executive Magazine X: @ churchexecutive. com
Church Executive ™ Magazine is published by Power Trade Media, LLC, PO Box 82, Cave Creek, AZ 8532. Subscription rates for non-qualified subscribers, single issue prices and pricing for reprints of 100 or more are available from: info @ churchexecutive. com. All articles in Church Executive ™ Magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission of the publisher. Copyright 2026 by Power Trade Media, LLC. No advertisement, sponsorship or description or reference to a product or service will be deemed an endorsement by Power Trade Media, LLC, and no warranty is made or implied. Information is obtained from sources the editors believe reliable, accurate and timely, but is not guaranteed, and Power Trade Media, LLC, is not responsible for errors or omissions. Opinions expressed in Church Executive ™ Magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or sponsors or advertisers. Content addressing legal, tax and other technical issues is not intended as professional advice and cannot be relied on as such; readers should consult with their own professional advisors.
6 CHURCH EXECUTIVE | MARCH / APRIL 2026