UCAN News
There’s always something going on across the UCAN network, and this is where we share key updates, news and stories from our community. You can also follow us on social media for regular posts and announcements.
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What an amazing 3 days at our 2026 Cutting Edge Residential Conference. Catch up on the highlights here…
Is it time to invest in your development and take the next step in your ministry? We have three specialist, accredited training opportunities available for UK church administrators, managers and leaders. Which one is right for you? Find out more here…
Find out about our September Virtual Roundtable, where we will explore practical approaches to planning and take a look at tools and resources to help you and your church team stay organised and work more intentionally.
New Church Resource Alert! We’ve just added a brand new Social Media Planner to our resources library. Find out more here…
Could this be a good time to review your church communications? Read our latest In Focus article for tips on how to start the next season with greater clarity and consistency
Thinking of expanding your church admin team? Or looking for a new adventure? Find out how UCAN can help here…
Words of Encouragement from Our Article Archives
What do stewards and shepherds have to teach us about serving in today's church? This month's reflection explores two powerful biblical pictures that remind us to care faithfully for both what God has entrusted to us and the people He has entrusted to our care.
When you think of what ministry looks like in a church, admin might not be an area that springs to mind. Hear from Tolu about the quiet, sometimes overlooked, ministry that supports and enables the wider mission of the church.
Have you ever wondered what a church administrator actually does? You might just be surprised! Check out our latest article and leave a comment with your experiences!
What if mission is already happening right now, in your inbox, your spreadsheets and your planning meetings? This reflection explores how the everyday work of church operations is a vital part of making mission possible and enabling the work of the wider church.
When our church roles are so much about the "doing" it is easy to evaluate ourselves by visible results or by what we've ticked off the list. Take a look beyond the to-do list today and remember your true identity in Christ.
Churches are not immune to challenging conversations, so how do we handle them with both grace and grit? Read our latest article from UCAN Manager member Jon, shared at a recent TAPAS training session.
What would church be like without it’s faithful administrators? Read our latest article if you’ve ever wondered if it’s worth it, or if what you do really matters…
How are you doing in this busy church season? Read our latest article for an encouragement and a reminder of God’s amazing, empowering and transformational grace.
When change stirs mixed emotions in your church, how do you help hold everyone together? This reflection offers encouragement for those guiding their teams through shifting seasons.
When plans unravel and nothing makes sense, how do we keep trusting God? Discover fresh encouragement in our latest reflection…
What does this new season hold for you and your ministry? Find fresh perspective in our latest blog post…
As administrators, we often hold the practical keys to welcome and safety. Are we taking those small but vital steps that show people they truly belong?
Church admin can feel overwhelming at times, but we’re not meant to carry it alone. Read our latest reflection on the power of gathering, encouragement, and being truly seen…
Dwelling on things you wish you'd done differently? You’re not the only one - read our latest article for hope and help for moments like these…
Struggling to fill roles in your church? Before you finalise that person spec, have you considered what really matters? You might be surprised by God’s priority in recruitment…
Spring doesn’t arrive overnight, and neither does change. How can we navigate the process faithfully? Read more in our latest article…
Putting your hope in a spreadsheet? Or in the One who holds it all together? Read our latest article for encouragement when plans unravel…
New year, same church office challenges? Discover why the ordinary is extraordinary…
Working or serving in church administration this Christmas? This important message is for you…
How can we best support our church leaders? Read our latest article from UCAN Board Director and Church Manager, Gavin
"I know you are not working today … but can I just ask you [insert the question here]…?"
Is this a similar Sunday occurrence for you and how do you respond?
This September is a time of fresh beginnings, and at the heart of it all there's you - the church administrator. Be encouraged by Jules in our latest article...
How can we respond to disunity in our church families, teams and communities? Read more from UCAN Director Jules Morgan here…
Are you struggling under the load of feeling watched as you work, and not feeling valued or celebrated? If that's how you feel today - read our latest article from UCAN Director Jules Morgan!
In our latest article, UCAN Board Director Jules shares how when things get stressful, and you begin to feel a sense of becoming overwhelmed the ‘Controlling the Controllables’ tool from GiANT can be a helpful resource to put things into perspective.
If we’re honest, there are people in our lives we find it hard, or even impossible to like. In this article, Jules encourages us to look afresh at the people God has put around us, including those in our church staff teams!
In just a short time it will be Good Friday when we will be remembering, once again, the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us. And one of the most moving parts of the Good Friday story for me is that of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, just before he is arrested.
Read the full article…
Do you ever find that it’s the moments when you’ve run out of time and are already late that your computer seems to sense it? Ok, perhaps this is mild paranoia on my part, but on occasion I think ‘they’ know I’m in a rush and slow down intentionally to teach me patience. Take yesterday as an example. Already pushed for time and sitting waiting for files to sync with my OneDrive it felt like the laptop clicked into ‘slow mode’ just at that very moment!
Read the full article…
As on many days, my Lectio 365 app provided the right Bible passage for prompt, encouragement and challenge, on the specific day I needed to hear it. As I sit in a church centre café this morning (4th January 2024), starting to write my last UCAN mailing article as a Director, this passage from Isaiah 43 greeted me.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
In a season of newness, transition and change, God is ever present, ever sovereign, and ever Good. More about this in this article…
What do you prefer on your toast and what does it have to do with church administration?
Catch up on previous IN Focus Editions
Could this be a good time to review your church communications? Read our latest In Focus article for tips on how to start the next season with greater clarity and consistency
As summer approaches and church calendars begin to fill with camps, day trips, outreach events and community activities, it's a good time to pause and reflect on safeguarding. Check out our latest In Focus article, taking a look at Safeguarding Culture.
The Great Commission calls us to "go into all the world" but both local and international mission involves so much more than sending and supporting people. Read our latest article for guidance to help you ensure your structures, governance and stewardship are sound.
Volunteers are at the heart of almost every ministry in church life. Take a moment this month to pause and reflect on how we recruit, support and sustain those who serve.
Food has always been central to faith communities. However, Food Hygiene and Allergen Management can be easily overlooked. Read here for advice on areas to review to help keep our church families, visitors and communities safe.
Insurance renewal season has a way of sneaking up on church offices. Read here for a practical reminder of some key areas worth revisiting as you assess your insurance needs…
Find out about recent changes to this code - applicable to Charitable Institutions which includes many churches. Find out how to steward God's resources with clarity and security…
Is your church ready for the upcoming changes to GDPR? Find out more about how to prepare here…
Christmas is just over 70 days away and as your church prepares for it’s seasonal services, how are you also planning to continue the conversations into the New Year?
Keeping our churches safe is at the heart of our care and witness. This month, discover what Martyn’s Law means for your church and how to prepare ahead. Find out more with links to advice and discussion here…
Introducing In Focus – a new monthly spotlight on timely topics for church administrators. First up: summer events! From safeguarding to insurance, we’ve got the essentials covered.
What do stewards and shepherds have to teach us about serving in today's church? This month's reflection explores two powerful biblical pictures that remind us to care faithfully for both what God has entrusted to us and the people He has entrusted to our care.