What to Include in a Church Membership Covenant
By Brent Lacy A church membership covenant is a written statement of the mutual commitments between a person and a […]
Church Leadership
Church leadership. Articles and resources for pastors and lay leaders on leading small and rural churches effectively.
How to Run a Church Annual Planning Meeting
By Brent Lacy Most small churches do not have an annual planning meeting. They have a series of reactive conversations
How to Officiate a Wedding: A Practical Guide for Small Church Pastors
By Brent Lacy Officiating a wedding is one of the most significant pastoral moments in a small church pastor’s ministry.
How to Build a Church Budget for a Small Church
By Brent Lacy Most small churches do not have a formal budget process. Money comes in, money goes out, and
MinistryPlace vs. AlignedAI vs. Noonday vs. ChurchAIToolkit: Which Church AI Resource Is Right for Your Church? (2026)
An honest comparison of the top church AI resources in 2026. MinistryPlace, AlignedAI, Noonday, FaithStack, ChurchAIToolkit, and ReachRight compared on content, tools, pricing, and small church focus.
Effective Volunteer Management in the Small Church: Practical Strategies for Engagement and Retention
Discover practical strategies for building a thriving volunteer team in your small church, from recruitment to retention. By Brent Lacy
Imago Dei and Artificial Intelligence: What the Image of God Means for How Your Church Uses AI
By Brent Lacy A bi-vocational pastor in rural Tennessee described a moment that stopped him cold. He had used an
How to Run a Capital Campaign in a Small Church
By Brent Lacy A capital campaign is a focused, time-limited effort to raise funds for a specific project , a
Small Church Social Media Strategy: What to Post When You Have No Budget and No Staff
By Brent Lacy Most social media advice for churches is written for churches with a communications director, a graphic designer,
When and How to Hire Your First Staff Member as a Small Church
By Brent Lacy Most small churches hire their first staff member too late, for the wrong position, or without a