It is a running joke around here that it is hard to keep track of your pastor!
Pastors are busy people and can get called out at a moment’s notice. When an emergency happens, they don’t always have time to check in with the staff to let them know they are going to be running late. It is very difficult for them to let you know where they are every second of every day. Even more, if you have more than one pastor…well good luck!
I know some of you have considered putting tracking devices on your pastors but that could be considered an invasion of privacy! But seriously, some churches use their cell phones to track if their staff is in the building. There are apps available that will log you in and out depending on your current location. Seems like that is a little too much for me…but I’m sure it works well for large ministries.
Tracking with Apps
There are other apps you can use to keep track of your staff. This app, Simple In/Out, was recommended to me recently. This handy app will also keep track of hours worked.
Simple In/Out TimeClock can replace your punch clock, time cards, and calculator with a modern approach that saves you time and includes all the benefits of Simple In/Out. Utilizing our app TimeClock and a device in a common area, your users can check in and out with a simple scan of their employee badge.
You can use this app on your phone or desktop and it will even display a board of employee status at your front desk on a television monitor. There is a minimal fee for its use, but they do offer a free trial period. If you are considering using time clock software this could be a good solution.
Tracking with Magnet Board
If you are less of a tech person and more of a paper person you might enjoy this magnetic Quartet Matrix In/Out Board
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I have seen this method work well for many churches. You simply write in the names of all of your staff (paid or volunteer). When that person comes in they move the magnet to “In”. If they leave the building they move it to “Out” and have space to write what time they will be back and/or notes. If you have a receptionist she/he could help track this. The board can be posted at the front desk or a general location that all can see. If you have a lot of “foot traffic” coming through your church, you may not want this visible for everyone to see. It could become a safety issue. For example, if you are the only one in the office you may not want them to know that.
What do you use at your church or office? I would be interested in knowing what works well for you! Leave me a comment below.