Blog

March 20, 2020

Special Update: Church Communication Helpful Links

We know you're scrambling to adapt to new demands on how you keep church going. So are we! Here are links to some free services (recommended from OCS clients, or we've found) for you to better communicate with your church members.

We've had many questions about how churches can continue communication, Bible study, and even sermons or worship services by going online. To give you a push in the right direction, the following are suggestions to free services that may help you better keep in touch with your church attenders.

It's not a complete list by far, so if you know of similar helpful services please let us know. Also, we haven't had time to test the services nor are we affiliated, so keep us updated if these work for you.

• Streaming Live on Facebook: How-To information on free streaming using Facebook Live
• Streaming Live on YouTube: How-To information on free streaming using YouTube Live
• Live Bible Study: If you want to hold an interactive Bible study like a web conference video call, Zoom.us has a free option
• Facebook Group Alternative Option: Not all of your church members use Facebook? This free Community Platform from Tribe.so may help group interaction
• Online Interactive Church Service: Already streaming or posting your services online but want Live Prayer and Live Chat when "on air"? Check out the free Church Online Platform from Life.Church

Resources OCS Clients Have Right Now
We're hearing from clients who are now beginning to send Email Newsletters and/or Group Texts to keep church members updated and connected. These tools are already included right now in your OCS Account, so now is a great time to click on the links above and check out how you can quickly communicate church changes.

March 17, 2020

An Important Note From Mark and Alisha

Well, I never thought I’d be writing a post like this on the OCS 8 Year Anniversary! Weeks ago I had put together a splashy celebration post, but in light of times like these, today it doesn’t seem right.

Instead, please know we’re praying for everyone’s health and safety, for God's provision for all who must alter their daily routines, and for all the churches having to adapt to disruption in church attendance. During this time, we also wanted to update you, our churches and ministries:

• Work on 3.0 continues uninterrupted. The Website Builder 3.0 is still on track for wider Beta Invitations to start by the end of this week—yes, THIS week. We want to get this right for you, so thank you for your patience!
• Don’t forget that you have many communication and church management tools already included and available right now as part of your annual price. Please take a moment to review our site or your dashboard for the tools and features ready right now to help you communicate with and manage your church.
• We’re still here to help and answer your questions. And since we’ll be spending even more time at home, we'll have plenty to do in the weeks ahead with the remainder of the tools that will have their own 3.0 upgrade.

On a personal note, it’s been nice to see so many more folks in our neighborhood out walking and enjoying our warmer spring weather. Our typically quiet streets are alive with children playing basketball and riding their bikes. While we’re already pretty adapted to working from home, we’re facing in Idaho the same things as everyone else. We’re doing our best to stay healthy, adusting our schedule to this new normal, and we pray the same for you.

God bless,

Mark and Alisha

P.S. We've had more churches ask about online giving due to having to switch to online-only worship services. If you’re already with an online giving provider, that’s great! You’re ready to go. But if you’re currently looking to get set up for your members to tithe online, we can help you get going in 3 to 5 business days. Please check out our Online Giving page for more details.

March 05, 2020

Is Your Church Ready for Easter? 9 Things to Review

We're just about a month away from the Easter season, so it's a great time for you to review how your church can best receive Easter visitors. From things to check on your church website, to how you can better communicate with guests once they've arrived (and afterwards, too), we have nine quick things for you to make sure everything goes smoothly during your Easter special services.

Here's the post: 9 Things for Your Church to Check Before Easter

February 12, 2020

Plan Now for Your Vacation Bible School or Camp

Many churches will soon begin early registration for their Vacation Bible School (VBS) or Camp. Our tools can help with event registration, group texting, child check-in, and more. Spring is around the corner and summer will be here before you know it, so check out our annual post: "VBS: Plan, Communicate, Promote and Organize with Our Software"

February 04, 2020

Even More Free Design Resources for You

Did you know we have a Resources Tab full of links to free stock photos, illustrations, videos, and design tools? We've recently refreshed and updated our list with more places to find sermon series graphics, announcement slides, and even Christian-themed stock photos. 

There are stock video clips for backgrounds, plus Christian-themed motion backgrounds, loops, countdowns, videos, and skits. For those with a bit more graphic design skills, we have links for free fonts, vectors, textures, and brushes. Just look to the top right Tab for Resources when you login to your OCS account.

January 17, 2020

Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2020

We will be closed on Monday, January 20 in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 21.

January 01, 2020

Happy New Year 2020

Wishing you a blessed and prosperous new decade!

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