Ministry Implementation Sessions focus on how to create meaningful ministry impact in the areas of Giving, Serving, Communication, Groups, Events, and Child Security. These sessions are designed to let you learn first-hand from other ACS churches who have successfully implemented such programs in their ministries, plus some of the issues they encountered during the implementation process. Presented by your peers, these sessions focus on true ministry implementation, not software. Each impact area is offered twice during the conference giving you an opportunity to select and attend four of the six areas.
Wednesday
9:30 - 12:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions 1 - 2 (includes a 20 minute break)
The main source of funds for many churches is through single donations and tithing. Therefore, it is very important that your members can easily and securely give to your ministry. This Ministry Implementation Session will provide helpful tips, lessons learned, real life examples, and roundtable discussions to help drive giving at your church.
Volunteers are one of your organization's most valuable resources. Without their assistance, many of your church's functions would simply not happen; it is vital to retain your volunteers and keep them happy. Make it easy for your members to help the community, help your church, and connect with each other. This Ministry Implementation Session will provide helpful tips, lessons learned, real life examples, and roundtable discussions to enrich serving at your church.
Strong communication will help you build close connections with your members, attract visitors, and get your message out to the world. Great communication will impact every part of your church. It'll help your small groups find purpose, streamline the organization of your events, attract people via the Web, bring your volunteers together - the possibilities are endless. This Ministry Implementation Session will provide helpful tips, lessons learned, real life examples, and roundtable discussions on starting and enhancing the communication plan at your church.
Social networking
Closing the back door
Welcoming and incorporating guests
Connections process
“Life after the guest card”
1:50 - 5:20 p.m.
Breakout Sessions 3 - 4 (includes a 50 minute break)
Groups are one of the best ways to bring your church together, create lasting relationships, and bring focus to your ministry. This Ministry Implementation Session will provide helpful tips, lessons learned, real life examples, and roundtable discussions on start creating impact with your groups.
Being able to manage your resources and get the right events going can have a great impact on your church. If you manage your events well, not only will it bring your church together but you'll be able to reach out and do more for your community. This Ministry Implementation Session will provide helpful tips, lessons learned, real life examples, and roundtable discussions on creating ministry impact through events.
You need to be proactive about the safety and protection of all children in your services. This means having the necessary security and documentation for dropping off and picking up family members from events like youth group, children's church, and the nursery in place. This Ministry Implementation Session will provide helpful tips, lessons learned, real life examples, and roundtable discussions on creating a safe environment at your church.
What is child security?
Check in/out planning, implementing, and measuring
Training
Volunteer qualifications and recruitment
Emergencies happen - Parent locators
Devices and tools / Set up
General security for your church
Thursday
9:30 - 12:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions 5 - 6 (includes a 20 minute break)
Groups are one of the best ways to bring your church together, create lasting relationships, and bring focus to your ministry. This Ministry Implementation Session will provide helpful tips, lessons learned, real life examples, and roundtable discussions on start creating impact with your groups.
Being able to manage your resources and get the right events going can have a great impact on your church. If you manage your events well, not only will it bring your church together but you'll be able to reach out and do more for your community. This Ministry Implementation Session will provide helpful tips, lessons learned, real life examples, and roundtable discussions on creating ministry impact through events.
You need to be proactive about the safety and protection of all children in your services. This means having the necessary security and documentation for dropping off and picking up family members from events like youth group, children's church, and the nursery in place. This Ministry Implementation Session will provide helpful tips, lessons learned, real life examples, and roundtable discussions on creating a safe environment at your church.
What is child security?
Check in/out planning, implementing, and measuring
Training
Volunteer qualifications and recruitment
Emergencies happen - Parent locators
Devices and tools / Set up
General security for your church
1:50 - 5:20 p.m.
Breakout Sessions 7 - 8 (includes a 50 minute break)
The main source of funds for many churches is through single donations and tithing. Therefore, it is very important that your members can easily and securely give to your ministry. This Ministry Implementation Session will provide helpful tips, lessons learned, real life examples, and roundtable discussions to help drive giving at your church.
Volunteers are one of your organization's most valuable resources. Without their assistance, many of your church's functions would simply not happen; it is vital to retain your volunteers and keep them happy. Make it easy for your members to help the community, help your church, and connect with each other. This Ministry Implementation Session will provide helpful tips, lessons learned, real life examples, and roundtable discussions to enrich serving at your church.
Strong communication will help you build close connections with your members, attract visitors, and get your message out to the world. Great communication will impact every part of your church. It'll help your small groups find purpose, streamline the organization of your events, attract people via the Web, bring your volunteers together - the possibilities are endless. This Ministry Implementation Session will provide helpful tips, lessons learned, real life examples, and roundtable discussions on starting and enhancing the communication plan at your church.
Social networking
Closing the back door
Welcoming and incorporating guests
Connections process
“Life after the guest card”
Friday
9:30 - 10:50 a.m.
Breakout Session 9
Select a class from Focused Classes
11:10 - 12:30 a.m.
Breakout Session 10
Select a class from Focused Classes
Track: People 101
The People 101 track provides beginner training classes that will teach you all about working with People records, tracking group involvement and contributor information, and creating mail merges and labels for mass mailings. Each class within this track is designed to help you improve your efficiency and simplify your processes when working with your ACS software.
Flex Statement, Charitable Contributions report and other Contribution reports
Adding pledges
Mass adding pledges
Pledge maintenance and editing
Prepayments
Multi-Year pledges
Pledge reports
Track: Financials 101
The Financials 101 track provides beginner training classes that will teach you about ACS Financials and how to perform common financial tasks in your office. From setting up payroll and tracking vacation time to reports and W-2s, this track has everything you need to keep your financial accounting organized and on accurate.
Focused Classes are perfect for individuals seeking 201 level classes, ministry solutions, and / or information about upcoming products and services. Whether you want to learn more about database maintenance, setting up Facility Scheduler, or exporting your ACS data, Focused Classes are a great way to maximize your ACS Technologies solutions. Select one course per breakout session from the list below to create your personalized class schedule.
Key to Icons
Prerequisite
These classes build on content covered in other classes. Knowledge of that content is required before attending these classes.
Technical Content
These classes lend themselves to highly technical discussions and may be confusing for those with little technical background.
Conceptual
These classes focus on thoughts and ideas, not on the mechanics of the software.
Discover ways to export your ACS data to Microsoft® Word, Excel®, and other tools that give you nearly unlimited resources for formatting, graphing, and sharing key information. This class will cover:
Using extract reports in ACS
Using advanced exports
Using the secure Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) driver
Tidiness may have nothing to do with godliness, but it does make a database more efficient and easier to use. Discover tools and strategies that will empower you to keep your database clean and efficient. This class will cover:
Recognizing areas that are prone to data clutter
Communicating style guidelines (st. versus street)
Establishing wise policies for data archiving and clearing
Content may include functionality from all ACS modules.
Discover how permission-based e-mail communications can solidify existing relationships, initiate new ones, and convert members into long-term supporters.
The session will cover the best practices of e-mail marketing, including:
Keep your ministry, children, youth, and those with special needs safe. Find out how you will be able to order, review, and organize your background checks with our integrated partner, SecureSearch.
Learn an eight-step approach for effective budgeting within your church based on your church’s vision, goals, and ministry plans. We will discuss key areas for a successful budgeting process and cover such points as:
Deciding who should be involved in furnishing budget information
Obtaining important historical financial information
Estimating church growth (membership, Bible study, worship attendance)
Analyzing contributors and church giving potential
Projecting and justifying budget receipts and other funding sources
Presenting ministry plans for the new budget year
We will also share two important tools for ensuring that the budgeting process is followed, and we’ll review various budget procedures and successfully used budgeting forms.
Discover tools and secrets of this powerful program. See how pivot tables, formulas, conditional formatting, and more can help you get the most out of your Excel files. This class will cover:
Exploring often overlooked features and functions of Microsoft Excel
Using formulas
Changing the format of a cell based on its content
Get an overview of the newest features and enhancements of ACS Financials. This class discusses updates for all the financial modules except Accounts Receivable.
Visitors of a church decide within the first 10 minutes whether or not they will return. What does the first 10 minutes look like at your church? This workshop will provide an overview of Hope’s programs and encourage conversation to share with others what works at their churches (best practices). Presented by Chris Gunnare, Operations Director, Lutheran Church of Hope, West Des Moines, Iowa
When the going gets tough, people turn to the church. Find out how you can truly help people who are struggling with tough economic times. This class will cover a variety of topics, such as:
Developing policies and procedures for benevolence ministries
Providing events and workshops that equip people with job skills, financial management tools, and legal advice
Discover tools and secrets of this powerful program. See how pivot tables, formulas, conditional formatting, and more can help you get the most out of your Excel files. This class will cover:
Exploring often overlooked features and functions of Microsoft Excel
Using formulas
Changing the format of a cell based on its content
Microsoft® Outlook® is far more than just a tool for composing and reading e-mail. It allows you to organize, manage, and plan your communications, your daily priorities, your contacts, and your schedule. Discover some tips that will help you use this fabulous tool, including:
Setting up subfolders to help you keep your e-mail, calendars, and contacts organized
Flagging e–mails for follow–up
Setting up rules to automatically move, forward, or delete certain e–mails
Setting up notifications of when your e-mails are delivered and read
Importing and exporting calendar or contact information
Get an overview of the newest features and enhancements of ACS Financials. This class discusses updates for all the financial modules except Accounts Receivable.
In the current culture in which the church is operating, a policies and procedures manual is a must. Participants in this session will learn how to properly establish such a manual or to review the manual that already exists in their church, including:
Aiding the effective and efficient functioning of staff, ministry groups, and church members
Assisting church leadership in sound decision–making
Reducing the possibility of risks to the ministry
Optimizing the fulfillment of the church’s ministry purposes and goals
Keeping necessary written ministry guidelines in one place for easy and quick reference
Gain an understanding of the components of the Connections module, including how to maximize your ability to track contacts with your congregation and prospects. This class will cover:
Making key decisions to enhance the setup process
Configuring contact types, responses, teams, and templates
Creating assignment cards
Configuring Access ACS for use with Connections
Content will include functionality from the Connections module and from Access ACS.
Learn ten important internal controls that should be in place to protect your church against financial risks and exposures to the ministry. You will receive a checklist outlining these controls, and you’ll learn risk examples regarding each control.
Many church leaders feel that businesses have a profit at all cost mentality and churches should work to separate themselves from them in style. Many in business (our members) feel the church knows weekend services and leading ministries and knows little about managing money. This class will look at areas where we can learn from each other in order to make sure the church runs efficiently while balancing the needs of ministry. Presented by Chris Gunnare, Operations Director, Lutheran Church of Hope, West Des Moines, Iowa
Tidiness may have nothing to do with godliness, but it does make a database more efficient and easier to use. Discover tools and strategies that will empower you to keep your database clean and efficient. This class will cover:
Recognizing areas that are prone to data clutter
Communicating style guidelines (st. versus street)
Establishing wise policies for data archiving and clearing
Content may include functionality from all ACS modules.
Discover ways to export your ACS data to Microsoft® Word, Excel®, and other tools that give you nearly unlimited resources for formatting, graphing, and sharing key information. This class will cover:
Using extract reports in ACS
Using advanced exports
Using the secure Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) driver
Review examples of custom reports generated from ACS data. This class will cover:
Using mail merges to create custom reports
Using Report Designer reports
Creating reports using the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) driver
Using Custom Reports services
This class builds on material covered in Exporting Your ACS Data and Working with ACS Reports. Content will include functionality from the People module.
Join Matthew Irvine, ACS client and IT director of First Baptist Church of Belton, TX, to discover strategies and tools for making data available to your congregation and getting them to use it. This class will cover:
Communicating with group members
Updating member information
Adding members to your group
Following up on potential group members
Keeping track of attendance
Editing the group structure and staff
Content will include functionality from the People module and from Access ACS.
Keep your ministry, children, youth, and those with special needs safe. Find out how you will be able to order, review, and organize your background checks with our integrated partner, SecureSearch.
Discover tips that will help you revolutionize your communication and enable community building in your church or organization. In this class, you will learn about:
Increasing effectiveness and efficiency of ministry-to-member direct communications (decentralized communications)
Empowering church members and attendees to choose their preferred method of communication (e-mail, text, iPhone™, Facebook™)
Enabling member-to-member connectivity through groups and social networking
Find out about accountable reimbursement plans, their advantages, and their disadvantages, and learn the record-keeping requirements applicable to these plans. Taught by Gene Hill, CPA and retired IRS appeals officer. This class will cover:
Understanding accountable reimbursement plans for clergy
Join representatives from the ACS Professional Services staff and other experienced ACS users for an open discussion of technology-related topics, such as network performance, intrusion detection, spam protection, spyware protection, and more.
Track: Organizations
The Organizations track offers software training and solutions focused on the unique needs of Organizations. Classes cover various topics like using ACS People with Organizations, improved donor management, and increasing the value of your denominational office. Choose from the classes below to simplify and streamline the administration of your organization.
Statistical Data & Reports: Real Value for Organizational Offices & Their Churches
11:10 - 12:30 a.m.
Breakout Session 10
Pick a Focused Class
Track: Membership PLUS
The Membership PLUS track offers software training focused on solutions for small churches. From managing individual and family records to understanding giving funds and pledges, the Membership PLUS track has everything small churches need to take their ministry to the next level.
The School track offers information packed training classes focused on learning how to set up, customize, and manage your administration with HeadMaster Software. Classes cover a variety of topics like managing tuition and fees, creating custom reports within HeadMaster, assessing student progress and even communicating with parents. This School track will teach you how to keep your school or daycare running as smoothly as possible.
Key to Icons
Prerequisite
These classes build on content covered in other classes. Knowledge of that content is required before attending these classes.
Get an overview of the resources available for schools and day care data management. See how these tools can help you keep track of your school's records, from registration to graduation and beyond. You’ll learn the functions and capabilities of this suite of modules.
Now that you have taken that time to enter the information in to HeadMaster, how can you use it? How can you get it out of HM? The Working with HeadMaster Data class will show you how to do the following:
With more than 125 predefined reports, HeadMaster offers a wide variety of options for reporting purposes. With HeadMaster Report Builder, you can rearrange a report, add fields, or remove unnecessary information. This class will cover:
Discover the ins and outs of the simple billing program. HeadMaster Billing fully integrates with all levels of HeadMaster: HeadMaster, HeadMaster Plus, HeadMaster Pro, and HeadMaster ProCM. This class will cover:
Find out how to manage the day-to-day activities of your day care or preschool using HeadMaster. This class will cover the following features in HeadMaster Plus:
Find out how to use the more advanced features of HeadMaster for your day care or preschool. This class will cover features in HeadMaster Plus, including:
Customizing grids
Understanding reporting capabilities
Communicating with parents
This class builds on material covered in HeadMaster for Childcare
Communicating with parents has become a high priority. HeadMaster makes it easy to do just that with its many communication options. This class will cover features for HeadMaster Plus, HeadMaster Pro, and HeadMaster OnDemand, including:
Using the school calendar
Creating announcements
Setting up events
Using administrative functions in HeadMaster Online
Get answers to specific software-related questions, discover how other HeadMaster users have addressed issues you are facing, and gain insight to use your software more effectively.
No pre-registration of classes is required. Detailed class descriptions coming soon.
