Author
Michael Visser
Co-founder, Threefold Solutions
Michael co-founded Threefold Solutions on a simple conviction — technology is the accelerant for ministry. He has spent over a decade building the systems that let churches focus on people instead of putting out fires: Planning Center migrations, cleanups, training and workflows. He also builds ChurchKit and Parable. His view is that churches can be Spirit-led and data-driven at once — paying attention to what's happening in your church isn't unspiritual, it's good stewardship.
49 posts
- Leadership
Planning Center Background Check Services Compared
A complete comparison of all five background check options for Planning Center — Checkr, MinistrySafe, Protect My Ministry, Verified First, and manual tracking — with verified 2026 pricing, integration details, and guidance on which provider fits your church's size and needs.
- Church Operations
The Long Game: Navigating Ministry with Infinite Thinking
We’ve all been there: You launch a new discipleship plan, breathe life into a young adult ministry, and reimagine your church’s outreach. You’ve got the calendar blocked out — three months, maybe less — and high hopes for a strong launch. Nine months later ... you’re still revising. Still waiting
- Leadership
Leading Through the Fire: Navigating Ministry Transitions When People Walk Away
Every ministry leader will eventually face a heartbreaking season. Sometimes, key people walk away angry, hurt, or disillusioned. Maybe they’re mad at you, the situation, or even God. Over the years, I have experienced this. Conference rooms that once buzzed with vision and excitement for the fut
- Data & Analytics
The Post-Christmas Follow-Up Playbook For Pastors
Let me hit you with a stat that should change everything about your post-Christmas strategy: Church-growth consultants like Herb Miller have long observed that if you connect with first-time guests within about 24–36 hours, around 85% of them return. If you wait up to 72 hours, that drops to about
- Leadership
Building a Core Leadership Team: From Theory to Practice
Discover how to build leadership pipelines in your church using Planning Center and intentional development systems.
- Leadership
Rediscovering Our Roots: Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Modern Churches
Discover how to build authentic church community by blending Acts 2 principles with modern ministry practices.
- Church Operations
Unlock Your Church's Growth: The Ultimate Church Management System Playbook
Turn your church database into a powerful ministry tool with smart forms, workflows, and automation that boost engagement and discipleship.
- Leadership
Busy Doesn't Always Mean Productive
Avoid busy procrastination in church leadership. Learn to align your ministry with vision, purpose, and true spiritual impact.
- Leadership
Leading a Generous Church: Building a Culture of Discipleship Through Giving
Discover how to grow generosity in your church through vision, discipleship, and strategic storytelling that inspires lasting impact.
- Web & Digital
Your Website Is the Digital Lobby of Your Church—Are You Treating It That Way?
Your church website is your digital front door—make it clear, welcoming, and visitor-focused to grow your community.
- Leadership
The Ministry Dilemma: Balancing Maintenance and Growth
Learn how to balance maintenance and growth in ministry by discerning your current season and leading with clarity, purpose, and strategy.
- Leadership
5 Leadership Lessons from ARC Conference that Transformed My Ministry Approach
Explore 5 transformative leadership lessons from ARC Conference to grow in character, clarity, and Kingdom impact in today’s digital ministry world.
- Web & Digital
Why Your Church Needs Google Analytics: A Simple Guide to Understanding Website Trends
Set up Google Analytics for your church website to track visitors, boost engagement, and make smarter ministry decisions online.
- Web & Digital
SEO Essentials for Churches: Your Guide to Digital Ministry Growth
Boost your church’s visibility with SEO tips on headings, keywords, mobile optimization, and content that connects seekers to your ministry.
- Leadership
The Craftsmanship of Ministry: Building Something That Lasts
Discover why lasting ministry impact requires patience, vision, and craftsmanship—not quick fixes or short-term success.
- Planning Center
Measuring Local Impact: How to Track Your Church's Effectiveness in the Community
Learn how to measure your church’s true impact beyond numbers—track lives changed, build lasting community connections, and create transformational change.
- Data & Analytics
The Growth Pipeline: Tracking Your Church's Discipleship Journey
Discover how to track discipleship growth beyond milestones with the "Growth Pipeline" and key metrics to measure spiritual transformation in your church.
- Data & Analytics
Digital Ministry Metrics That Drive Real-World Impact
Discover how to measure real impact in digital ministry by focusing on engagement and next steps instead of vanity metrics like views and follower counts.
- Data & Analytics
Understanding Your True Reach: The Science Behind Congregation Engagement
Discover why church attendance numbers don’t tell the full story and how to measure true engagement for greater ministry impact in 2025.
- Leadership
Have You Tried Texting? Revolutionize Your Ministry with the Power of SMS
Revolutionize your ministry with text messaging! Reach your congregation instantly, foster real connections, and boost engagement with SMS.
- Leadership
Who's Going to Carry the Boats?
Who’s going to carry the boats? Discover the power of resilience, leadership, and faith in overcoming life's toughest challenges.
- Data & Analytics
5 Essential Church Metrics You Need to Track in 2025
Discover five essential church metrics to track in 2025 to measure engagement, spiritual growth, and ministry impact beyond attendance numbers.
- Planning Center
Church Growth Stages: Your Roadmap to Sustainable Growth
Learn the 4 stages of church growth and discover actionable steps to build sustainable, healthy ministries at every stage of your journey.
- Planning Center
Transform Your Year: Yearly Themes > Resolutions
Discover the power of yearly themes over resolutions! Embrace grace, foster growth, and transform your year with this practical framework.
- Leadership
You Don't Have an Excuse
Discover how to create time for church growth and ministry priorities with practical, faith-driven strategies that transform your impact.
- Leadership
Unlocking Church Growth: The 10/80/10 Rule for Effective Delegation
Unlock church growth with the 10/80/10 Rule! Master planning, delegation, and optimization to empower your team and multiply ministry impact.
- Leadership
Everything I Built is Now Gone: Finding Peace in Ministry Transitions
Find peace in ministry transitions by focusing on eternal impact, planting seeds, and trusting God's plan for your lasting legacy.
- Leadership
The Myth of Overnight Success
Discover the truth behind the myth of overnight success and learn how consistent, long-term effort leads to lasting achievements in life and ministry.
- Planning Center
The Silent Threat of Incremental Degradation
Is your church sacrificing future growth for short-term savings? Learn how to prevent incremental degradation and foster long-term community vitality.
- Leadership
Empowering Others to Solve the RIGHT Problems
Learn how leaders can delegate effectively, empower their teams, and focus on strategic goals using the 10/80/10 rule for leadership success.
- Planning Center
Getting Unstuck
Feeling stuck? Discover how to reframe your mindset, recognize growth, and find progress even when it feels elusive.
- Web & Digital
Why SEO Matters for Churches: Becoming a Beacon of Hope
Boost your church's online visibility with SEO. Learn how to attract new visitors, engage your community, and build trust.
- Leadership
Empowering Volunteers: A Church Leader's Guide
Discover how to empower church volunteers with StrengthsFinder 2.0 by aligning their strengths with impactful ministry roles.
- Leadership
The Role of the Chief Reminding Officer in Leadership
Discover the vital role of a Chief Reminding Officer in leadership and how constant communication keeps your team motivated and aligned with your vision.
- Planning Center
One Lesson I Learned Working for a Mega-Church
Discover the transformative power of playbooks in mega-church management for streamlined operations.
- Data & Analytics
Know this one thing before migrating to Planning Center.
Ensure a seamless migration to Planning Center by understanding the vital role of the Remote ID in maintaining data integrity.
- Leadership
Achieve More by Doing Less
With insights from Cal Newport's productivity tips, discover ways to enhance ministry efficiency as a church leader.
- Data & Analytics
Five Stats Every Pastor Needs to Know in 2024
Discover key 2024 church trends: Millennial engagement, digital worship, and leadership succession.
- Web & Digital
Why Church Center should not be your Church's Website
Discover why Church Center isn't ideal for your church's website and explore better options for SEO and design.
- Planning Center
Unlocking Growth: Harnessing the Four Disciplines of Execution in Your Church
Explore "Unlocking Church Growth", detailing how the Four Disciplines of Execution can transform church management. Learn to set impactful goals, use visible scoreboards for tracking, and hold regular accountability meetings to drive church growth and effectiveness. Start small and expand
- Web & Digital
Embed a Planning Center form on your Squarespace website.
Learn simple steps to embed a Planning Center form into your Squarespace website with our visual, easy-to-follow guide—no coding required!
- Web & Digital
Community Engagement: Making a Better Newsletter
Transform your church newsletter with 5 key strategies. Enhance impact using Mailchimp, audience segmentation, and personalized content.
- Leadership
Harnessing the Power of Text Messaging
Explore how texting in ministry can deepen connections and support congregants. Learn strategies for heartfelt messages and consistent communication.
- Church Operations
Forget about First Time Guests
Discover a unique church growth strategy focusing on life-stage groups over first-time guests, where community and personal connections drive engagement.
- Planning Center
The Power of Celebrating Moments
Discover the 'Power of Moments' in celebrating church milestones. Learn strategies using Elevation, Insight, Pride, Connection, and Planning Center People.
- Data & Analytics
Prevent Data Disasters: Your Permissions Blueprint
Protect your church's data with our Planning Center permissions guide. Create and implement a robust policy and request workflow for secure access.
- Data & Analytics
Improve Church Attendance: the 'Plan Your Visit' Framework
Grow church attendance with the 'Plan Your Visit' framework. Embrace digital outreach and personalized communication to build and foster community.
- Web & Digital
Using Wix Studio? Here’s how to embed a Planning Center Form.
Struggling to embed a Planning Center Form in your Wix website? I don’t know about you, but reading documentation or how-to guides can be almost as frustrating as the problem itself. If so, I will show you, with pictures (for those of us who are more visual learners), how to embed a Planning Center
- Planning Center
Planning Center Churches: Swap Mailchimp for Clearstream?
Compare platforms for church email marketing. Get insights on user experience, integration, cost, and automation to make an informed decision.