We all face overwhelming situations in our lives that threaten to steal away our hope—sickness, conflict, finances, the loss of a loved one—the list goes on and on. Yet when the future looks dark or all seems lost, it’s time to reflect on Bible verses about hope in hard times.  These verses on hope remind us that we’re not alone. They were written by people who faced difficult circumstances just like us. Despite what we may see, hear, and feel, God’s word brings us hope by assuring us that he is with us and faithful to carry us through tough times. So, if you’re facing challenging ..read more

  If you’re responsible for managing your church’s social media, then you’ve probably realized that it’s a heavy lift. Whether you’re at the beginning stages or years into this work, a social media plan for church is key to seeing increased engagement, and ultimately, offering the hope of Jesus to people online.  It’s best to start with some guidelines or parameters in mind. Let’s take a look at how you can create a solid church social media plan in five easy steps: 1. Determine the why, who, and what Why is your church on social media? There really isn’t a wrong answer to your chur ..read more

  Ask any church planter and they’ll tell you that planting a church takes a lot of work. The pastor and a small launch team are responsible for everything from setting up chairs to teaching the children’s ministry and cleaning up after the service.  One church planting challenge is creating graphics, church logos, and other visual resources that attract people and enhance your communications. Hiring a professional graphic designer is expensive, and it’s rare for church launch teams to have volunteers with sufficient design experience to do everything in-house.  That’s why we’r ..read more

  The U.S. economy is in a perilous state—inflation is at a 40-year high, gas prices are at an all-time high, and some experts predict that we’re at the edge of a recession. People everywhere are feeling the impact of increasing prices and rethinking where their money goes.  For pastors and church leaders, this can feel like yet another obstacle in the way of their calling. They remember the COVID-19 recession in 2020 and the Great Recession of 2008, as well as the tolls they took on their communities. For example, in 2008 over half of congregations in the U.S. experienced declines ..read more

  In recent years, and throughout history, the latest headlines have plunged many church leaders into difficult conversations about incredibly complex issues. Try as you might to lead with conviction and empathy, the reality is that it often feels like you just can’t win. Our team at Subsplash has been deeply impacted by news, commentary, and conversations around the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. As Christians, we believe that life is precious, and every human being is made in the image of God—and so we celebrate life. But one of the challenges of our hyper-conne ..read more

  Daily discipleship is an essential part of following Jesus, but finding new and exciting ways to teach and encourage your community can be difficult. That’s why we’re excited to announce that gospel-centered content from Ligonier Ministries, The Bible Project, The Chosen, and Wild at Heart is now available for free on the Subsplash Platform! Special access—right in your church app From video resources to theological teachings and so much more, let’s take a look at what’s now available to add to your mobile app: The Chosen—The complete first season and exclusive discussion guides to go ..read more

  In ancient times, Rome grew so powerful that it became the center of society. Emperors and aristocrats sought to entertain and distract the masses by hosting festivals, performances, and eventually the brutal gladiator games. Their plans worked. As these events became more extravagant and bizarre, the people clamored for more.  Big Tech platforms have become the Roman Colosseum of our time. Their owners are focused on increasing their profits and market shares by entertaining the masses. To keep people interested and coming back, they deliver content that often pushes societal nor ..read more

  Leading a church through this post-pandemic culture feels like uncharted territory. It has left many wondering “what is the real purpose of church?” Pastor and leadership expert, Carey Nieuwhof, recently joined the Subsplash podcast to explore the purpose of the Church and how it’s taking on a new shape in today’s world. He also shares his perspective on the biggest factors in helping people grow towards spiritual maturity. Episode at a glance [0:00–3:06] Hosts Nick Bogardus and Carolyn Farny introduce and welcome Carey Nieuwhof–pastor, church planter, leadership expert, and podcast ho ..read more

  Did you know that over 58% of the world’s population is on social media? That’s 4.62 billion people spending an average of 2.5 hours on social media every day! This makes social media the “digital town square” of today’s global society.  We’re also witnessing an unprecedented convergence of Big Tech and the Church. 73% of churches rely on social media to keep their communities connected, with platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Mailchimp promising bigger reach, better communication, and more engagement.  At the end of the day, however, many pastors feel frustrated as their ..read more

  Churches today rely heavily on the latest technology. After all, technology enables your church to easily reach people with gospel-centered messages, streamline your communication, and automate your operations. That’s why most churches have adopted digital tools! For example: 73% have a Facebook page 72% use online giving 76% post their worship service videos to watch later 82% live stream their services While these tools are useful, they’re made by Big Tech companies that mute, censor, and deplatform Christian ministries and leaders on a regular basis. Your church may have e ..read more