LOUISVILLE, Ky.  Most church leaders don't learn administrative skills in seminary. They learn how to exegete text, not expedite shipping.
But if ministers can study Greek and Hebrew, they can also learn what may be foreign to them  how to buy smart. Church Central is further equipping leaders by offering a new Web site designed to put church suppliers at leaders' fingertips.
ChurchCentralSupplies.com is one-stop-shopping for church leaders who need Sunday School material; audio/visual equipment; computers and copiers; tables, chairs, room dividers; builders and architects; software; insurance; busses; signs and banners; Web site design and more.
In addition to how-to-buy articles on products and free guides, ChurchCentralSupplies.com also offers a free guide to getting the best deal: "The Three Laws of Buying Smart."
Tom Harper, publisher of Church Central, tells church leaders to first separate the wants from the needs in a church. Then he advises leaders to get buy-in from church authorities in four simple steps. Finally, Harper lays out the keys to negotiating the right deal.
He offers eight no-fail steps to finding the best supplier for any product or service. Step No. 6 is a zinger no preacher should be without when shopping around with the church's money. Harper recommends leaders ask suppliers one simple question.
"You'll be amazed at the power of this one little question," Harper says.
Harper also offers advice on ways leaders can avoid the committee quagmire by doing their homework and researching suppliers and costs, giving decision-makers three top choices, and discussing the options rather than voting.
Harper turns to Scripture to help leaders understand wise buying strategies that are also pleasing to the Lord. A supplement to "The Three Laws of Buying Smart," is "Ten Commands from Proverbs on Dealing with Suppliers."
Harper cautions leaders to take it slow, keep their integrity, maintain good relationships with suppliers, and play by God's rules rather than the ruthless process often undertaken in the world of business.
The free guide is available for church leaders who register on the homepage of www.ChurchCentralSupplies.com. Registrants also will receive the first few supplier names Harper recommends they begin stockpiling to research their needs.
About Church Central:
Church Central's mission is to equip leaders to grow healthier churches based on the six purposes of the church: worship, fellowship, ministry, discipleship, prayer and evangelism.
Church Central publishes a weekly e-mail newsletter with the latest research from Dr. Thom Rainer, author of "The Unchurched Next Door," president of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and church consultant.
Church Central offers free online resources, including daily news and articles on church health topics; features on evangelism by Vineyard pioneer Steve Sjogren; and devotions and leadership how-to articles from Bob Russell, senior minister of Southeast Christian church, one of the top 10 largest churches in the United States.
Church Central also trains church consultants and distributes the Church Health Survey™  a 160-item questionnaire that measures attendees' perceptions of their church.
