Resources

Every organization has it’s manuals and bylaws.  Below are the links to ours.  Feel free to read through them.  Better yet, connect with someone on our staff to help you walk through them.  The experience will be rewarding for both of you.

Managing our non-profit clergy statuses in ministry is important and maybe a little overwhelming.  Our staff has compiled a list of helpful resources to take make it easier for you!  They are also available to answer any questions that you have.

“Church & Clergy Tax Guide” by Richard R Hammer, CPA addresses tax issues common to the local and is well worth the investment. The book and other resources can be found here: ChurchLawToday.com and store.churchlawandtax.com

We highly recommend speaking with Mary K about personal and spiritual development.  She is a certified facilitator of the SDI and the MBTI.  Below are some quick and easy links for you to explore in these areas, as well as some extra assessments and podcasts just for general awareness.

The Alliance has so many great resources on their site.  Here are a few great resources we found there to help you develop your discipleship and evangelistic ministries.  You are highly encouraged to go to their site, www.cmalliance.org, and explore even more!

Every year The Alliance has a theme or emphasis for missions conferences, and they prepare a ton of material for churches and ministries to use. Below is a link to posters, bulletin inserts, shareable videos, and more! We also have ideas for VIRTUAL missions conferences.

• Alliance Devotionals
• Alliance Peacemaking – Resources and Training
• NEXT – Regional training events for Alliance youth and children’s ministry leaders
• EquippingU – a collection of leadership tools designed specifically to equip Alliance pastors andleaders
• Financial Health for Pastors and Churches
• Alliance Kids
• Alliance Video Magazine

Below are some retreat centers we’ve been to and loved. Have you been somewhere that’s not on this list? Let us know and we’ll add it!

Northern IL

• The Carmelite Spiritual Center | Darien, IL

Western IN

• Hanging Rock Christian Camp | West Lebanon, IN

Central IN

• Shepherd’s Gate Inn | Martinsville, IN

Northern IN

• Lake Placid | Harford City, IN
• Camp Lutherhaven | Noble County, IN
• Epworth Forest | North Webster, IN
• Bair Lake Bible Camp | Jones, MI

You’ve got great strategy and content, but are you struggling to get it look great as well?  Design and finding compelling images can be a challenge, but here are some tools and links to make it a little easier for you!

Stock Photography and Video

• Unsplash.com – free-to-use high quality photographs
• Lightstock.com – Church-themed photos, video, graphics and templates (they offer free items every month, but you can also pay-per-use or get an unlimited monthly subscription)
• Vevo.net – free video, music tracks, and sound clips

DIY Design Resources

Need something semi-ready but editable?  Here are some great places to start for social media, bulletins, announcement slides, etc.

• Canva.com – Lots of free pre-designed templates for you to simply edit details and lots of YouTube tutorials for those who want to go deeper.
• Ministryvoice.com – offering free templates for printed tools you may use in your church (bulletins, connection cards, flyers, and more)

Get Professional Help

Here are some groups that have fantastic design skills that they are using intentionally for Kingdom impact.

• Lightstock.com – Church-themed photos, video, graphics and templates (pay-per-use or get a monthly subscription)
• Creativecommission.com – a design studio started by MK’s to design prayer cards and more for international workers
• print4missions.com – a professional printing company with a heart for the Great Commission
• Justdisciple.com – a blog post about more ideas on where to go for well-designed materials, including some Etsy designers
• Timages – a branding and design strategy company owned by one of our own Alliance families in the district
• Frakes Productions – video storytelling for eternal impact