Recommendation: print and save these instructions for future reference.

Section 1: Changing Your Personal Password, Address, or Other Account Information
Section 2: Downloading Files [Clip Art] [Doré Biblical Art] [Children's Bulletins] [Puzzles]
Section 3: Using the Discussion Board
Section 4: Compensation Reports
Section 5: Classic Quotations
Section 6: Devotions and Stories
Section 7: Writing Center
Section 8: CST University
Section 9: Online Church Calendars
Section 10: Room and Reservation Manager
Section 11: Weekly Case Study
Section 12: CST Chat
Section 13: CST Cookbook
Section 14: Bulletin Bloopers
Section 15: Other Resources
Section 16: Copyright Restrictions

The Church Secretary Today Online Resource Center provides training, resources, and support to church secretaries and other staff members. This User's Guide provides the following information that will assist you to take full advantage of all that is available.

Section 1: Changing Your Personal Password, Address, or Other Account Information.

All CST subscribers have a personal username and password that can be used to access the Online Resource Center. The personal username and password are permanent as long as you maintain an active subscription to CST. In addition, a generic username and password are printed each month in Church Secretary Today.

You may share your password with other church staff and members of your congregation who plan to use the Online Resource Center to support a ministry within your church. The password cannot be shared with any other person or organization. We require your cooperation with this requirement in order for Church Secretary Today to continue. We have purposely made the subscription price extremely low to make these resources available to any person or group.

Option 1. Email us your complete subscription information (name, church, address, city, state, zip code,  and phone number and the username and password you want to use). Usernames must be unique, so if the one you select has already been taken we must have a second option. Therefore, give us several options for the username. Email the information to csteditor@christianitytoday.com with the subject line: Account Request. We will make the changes for you, and verify the changes back to you via email.

Option 2. You can make the changes yourself by following the instructions below.

(a) First, you will need your customer account number that is printed on the first line of your mailing label on the envelope in which you receive your Church Secretary Today newsletter. It is an 11 or 12 digit number that begins with the number 7.

(b) Once you have your customer service number, enter the following link in your web browser (or click on the link "My Account" located on the home page at www.ChurchSecretaryToday.com):

https://ssl.drgnetwork.com/ecom/cmr/cgi/subcustserv/start?org=CMR&publ=CS

The above link takes you to the Church Secretary Today customer service form. Using that form, enter your customer number and 5-digit zip code as printed on the mailing label for your newsletter.  The customer number is the number printed directly above your name. ONLY USE A 5-DIGIT ZIP CODE. While there is a different option to enter your email address, this will not work unless we have your email address on file.

(c) Next, to look up your Username and Password (or to change them) select the link "Change Your Address" which is located under the "Customer Service Options." Your Username (same as User ID) and Password will be listed at the bottom of your account information.  If you change your Username and Password, your account will not be updated until 8 PM eastern time (this is a computer automated change). Your old Username and Password will remain in effect until that time.

Section 2. Downloading Files

A number of the resource areas require that you download files. Generally, you have more than one option on the type of file to download. Please note the following.

Part 1: Downloading Clip Art

The Online Clip Art Library specializes in providing thousands of images dedicated for church use. If you do not find what you need here, try the additional clip art links located in Other Resources to find free clip art for churches. Remember, all members of your church can use our clip art for any church publication they are working on.

About the clip art files. All files are available in two file formats: tiff files and gif files. The tiff files are higher resolution files. While they take longer to download, they will provide a more clear and focused image. Typically, they are the best choice although, the gif files are quicker to download and work fine for smaller images. Many images also are available as eps files. These are vector files meaning that they retain their resolution as the size is increased.

Downloading the files. You follow a similar process to download either the eps files, tiff files or the gif files. The difference is what you click to download. For tiff and eps files, you will right click on the file name; for gif files, you will right click on the "preview image." Follow the instructions below.

Downloading gif files. To download a gif file of the image, RIGHT CLICK on the "preview image" that appears on your screen following the search. Then select the option "Save Target As" (some users should select the "Save Link As..." or "Download" option). Browse to the directory in which you want the image to be saved.

Downloading tiff or eps files. To download a tiff or eps file of the image, RIGHT CLICK on the "FILE NAME" that appears on your screen to the left of the "preview image" following the search. DO NOT CLICK ON THE IMAGE or you will save the gif file rather than the tiff or eps file. Then select the option "Save Target As" (some users should select the "Save Link As..." or "Download" option). Browse to the directory in which you want the image to be saved.

Note: remember to write down the file name and location so you can find the image later.

Part 2: Downloading Doré Biblical Art

Gustave Doré is among a select class of pre-eminent biblical illustrators. Born in France in 1832, he and his assistants completed hundreds of illustrations of biblical scenes. He also illustrated other religious works. He died at the age of 51 in 1883. Below is a partial collection of his Old Testament and New Testament etchings, which appeared in a variety of Bibles published in the 19th century. His etchings make wonderful bulletin covers (especially on an ivory or tan paper), and can also be used in a variety of church publications to illustrate articles, sermons, and class handouts.

About the Doré art files. All files are available in three file formats: tiff files, jpg files and gif files. The tiff files are higher resolution files. While they take longer to download, they will provide the most clear and focused image. Typically, they are the best choice if you want to print a larger image such as a bulletin cover. The gif files have the lowest resolution and are the quickest to download. Since the resolution is low, they should be used for only small images. The jpg files are also higher resolution, but are not as large as the tiff files.

Downloading tiff files. To download a tiff file of the image, RIGHT CLICK on the "IMAGE TITLE" from the list of image titles that appear below. Then select the option "Save Target As" (some users should select the "Save Link As..." or "Download" option). Browse to the directory in which you want the image to be saved.

Downloading gif files. To download a gif file of the image, click on the letter [p] that is located after the image title. The preview image will then appear. Then RIGHT CLICK on the preview image. Select the option "Save Target As" (some users should select the "Save Link As..." or "Download" option). Browse to the directory in which you want the image to be saved.

Downloading jpg files. To download a jpg file of the image, RIGHT CLICK on the [j] that is located after the image title. Select the option "Save Target As" (some users should select the "Save Link As..." or "Download" option). Browse to the directory in which you want the image to be saved.

Note: Remember to write down the file name and location so you can find the image later.

Part 3: Downloading the Children's Bulletins

Church Secretary Today provides subscribers with Weekly Children's Bulletins for two age groups: ages 3-6 and ages 7-12. The bulletins follow the lectionary gospel readings.

The bulletins are prepared as downloadable Adobe® Acrobat® PDF files. You need the FREE Acrobat Reader software to read and print them (there is a good chance you already have this software on your computer). If you have problems downloading Acrobat Reader files, contact Adobe Customer Support.

You may select from four options to download the files.

Option 1. Monthly Set--Both Age Groups. This is a large file and takes the longest to download.

Option 2. Monthly Set--Ages 3-6. This includes all the bulletins for each Sunday of the month for ages 3-6.

Option 3. Monthly Set--Ages 7-12. This includes all the bulletins for each Sunday of the month for ages 7-12.

Option 4. Weekly Set. This includes both age groups for the designated week.

Note: make sure you have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer before you download the files.

Download Instructions. RIGHT CLICK on the file name for the set of bulletins you want to download. Select Save Target As to download the file to your computer. Select Open if you prefer to view and print the bulletin while on line without downloading the file directly from the web (Mac users--click and release to open the file online, or click and hold to download the file). Note: the bigger the file, the longer it takes to appear. Be prepared to wait several minutes for Weekly Sets, and considerably longer for Monthly Sets. Remember, you must have the free Acrobat Reader to open or view the files.

IMPORTANT--Printing the Masters from Acrobat Reader. First select "File" and then "Print." When the printer dialogue box opens, check the box "Auto-rotate and center pages" (note: not all applications may have this option). Make sure the box "Shrink oversized pages to paper size" remains unchecked. The page orientation should be "portrait" (you can select the page orientation by clicking on "Properties" and then click on "portrait"). If a slight margin shift occurs, create a new centered copy using your photocopy machine.

Part 4: Downloading Crossword and Word Search Puzzles

In our Puzzle Library you can download or print crossword puzzles or word search puzzles for use in church publications or as handouts. They work great as bulletin inserts, newsletter features, and Sunday School worksheets.

Each puzzle is available as a full page version or a half page version. You may download files for use on your own computer. Each option is described below.

Option 1--PDF Files. The puzzles are also prepared as downloadable Adobe® Acrobat® PDF files. You download this version to your computer by RIGHT CLICKING on the file name and then select "Save as Target" (some users should select the "Save Link As..." or "Download" option). Browse to the directory in which you want the image to be saved. You need the FREE Acrobat Reader software to read and print them (there is a good chance you already have this software on your computer). If you have problems downloading Acrobat Reader files, contact Adobe Customer Support.

Option 2--Windows Meta File. Download this version if you want a pre-formatted image of the half-page puzzle which you can insert into another program. For example, you can insert the file into most desktop publishing or word processing programs and adjust the size. This is a quick way to put the puzzle into your newsletter. To download this version to your computer, RIGHT CLICK on the file name below and then select "Save as Target" . (some users should select the "Save Link As..." or "Download" option). Browse to the directory in which you want the image to be saved.

Option 3--Zip Files. This is for the do-it-yourselfer. We provide a zip file that contains a jpg image of the puzzle and a text file for the clues (the crossword puzzles also have a text file for the solution). Using these files, you can design your own layout. To download this version to your computer, RIGHT CLICK on the file name below and then select "Save as Target" . (some users should select the "Save Link As..." or "Download" option). Browse to the directory in which you want the image to be saved.

Note: Remember to write down the file name and location so you can find the image later.

Section 3: Using the Discussion Board

To take full advantage of the Discussion Board you will need to register. Once you register you will be able to both read and post messages. Described below are a few tips on how to: (a) read or add messages; (b) add a new subject; (c) modify or delete a message you create; and (d) reply to a message. The Discussion Board software also has some powerful features discussed below, including: (e) user functions; (f) lists; (g) style management; and (h) search capabilities.

(a) To read or add messages. Click on the Forum name for which you want to read or post messages. The Forums are listed in the first column. After clicking on the Forum name you will be taken to a new screen that will list all of the Subjects for that Forum. To begin reading messages on a listed subject, click on the Subject name. Once the existing messages appear, you may add your own message by clicking Add new message. Type your message in the message box and then select OK to add your message to the discussion board, Cancel to delete your message, or Preview to see your message before you give the final OK. Use the drop down menu which is labeled Forum jump to return to the Forum or to go to a different Forum. You may also click on the link Discussion Board Home located on the far right of the blue navigation bar at the top of the page to return to the Forum home page.

(b) To add a new Subject. Click on the Forum name for which you want to read or post messages. After clicking on the Forum name you will be taken to a new screen that will list all of the Subjects for that Forum. To add a new subject click on the link Add new topic. Select a subject title and type it in the subject window. Then add your message as described in part (a) above.

(c) Modify or delete a message you have created. Click on the Forum name where your message is located. Scroll to your message. Select the modify or delete option that appears above your message.

(d) Reply to a message. Click on the Forum name where the message is located. Scroll to the message. Select the option reply that appears above the message to respond to the message. You may also select the option reply with quote to include the original message with your response.

(e) User Functions. As a registered user of the Discussion Board, the following user functions are available. For more information, click on the User Functions link that appears at the top of the page. A menu will appear with the following items. Click on each item for more information, or to personalize your use of the Discussion Board.

• Subscriptions. You can get different kind of email notifications about new messages and topics if you subscribe to them. This can be done in the details view of the appropriate object (e.g. user or forum). You can view your current subscriptions here, you can remove some of them or make general subscriptions.
  
  
• Favorites. You can view here the list of your favorite topics, forums and users. New elements can be added to these lists through the element's details page. You can use the favorites lists to navigate directly to your favorite.
  
  
• Mark all read. All messages will be marked as read if you click here.
  
  
• Personalize. There are some elements of the behavior and the outer appearance of the forum that can be modified by every user: this is called personalization.
  
  
• Change password. Clicking on this menu item, you can change your password.
  
  
• User profile. You can modify the user information that you supplied about yourself at Registration such as homepage, ICQ number and your signature.
  
  
• Users. Have a look at the registered users; you can sort the list by first visit, post number or rating.

(f) Lists. As a Discussion Board user, you have many ways to both view and present information. To learn more click on the Lists link at the top of the page, next to the User Functions link. Here is an overview of the options that are available:

• All topics. You can view all topics of all public forums on one page, and you can sort them however you want.
  
  
• All messages. You can view all messages from all public forums on one page, and you can sort them however you want.
  
  
• New topics. You can view all topics of all public forums created after your last visit in one list.
  
  
• Topics with new posts. You can view all topics of all public forums containing new messages created after your last visit in one list.
  
  
• New messages. You can view all messages of all public forums created after your last visit in one list.
  
  
• Color skins. You can view the color skins available in the system.
  
  
• Users. Have a look at the registered users; you can sort the list by first visit, post number or rating.
  
  
• Polls. You can view the results of any polls posted by different users, and you can vote for them.
  
  
• Smilies. You can view the set of smilies in the current system here.

(g) Style management. The Style Management settings enable you to customize your messages. Select the link Style Management at the top of the page. You will be presented with the following three options.

• Create font style. One of the greatest feature of the Discussion Board is the possibility of customizing the font appearance. If none of the predefined styles meets your taste, you can create your own. To do this, select first the predefined style that is closest to what you want to achieve in Personalization--that will be your active style. Afterwards, with this menu item you can create your own style as a copy of the active one. An additional menu item will be than displayed called Modify font/color style. You can modify your own style clicking on that later on.
  
  
• Create color style. You can create new color style here similar to creating a new font style with Create font style.
• Color skins. You can view the color skins available in the system.

(h) Search. The Discussion Board provides you to search for a specific word or words. To conduct a search, click on the Search option at the top of the page.

Section 4: Compensation Reports

As a CST subscriber, you can receive personalized compensation report once you complete the online survey. Three different reports are available:

1. Detailed Personal Report for Full-time Workers. You'll find out how you compare to others serving in similar situations.

2. Comprehensive General Report. Discover the compensation profile of church secretaries and administrative assistants serving in all settings across the United States.

3. Report for Part-time workers. Detailed information on those who serve part-time.

Section 5: Classic Quotations

Our Classic Quotations provide an extensive library of quotations from Christian leaders throughout the centuries. The quotations are great to use in a church bulletin, newsletter, educational class, or in a sermon. Here's how to conduct a search.

(a). Select a category (author, length, or themes) from the first drop down menu.

(b). Then select a subcategory from the second drop down menu.
or
(c). Conduct a word search of all the quotations in the library.

A note about length searches. The length search is helpful when you want to fill some space in a newsletter or bulletin. Of course, the exact length of a quotation will vary a bit depending upon which font you are using, paper margins, etc. These lengths are based on using 10 pt Times with 9/10 inch margins.

Section 6: Devotions and Stories

Welcome to the Devotions and Stories Library. The Devotions and Stories Library provides hundreds of brief illustrations that are great to use in a church bulletin, newsletter, educational class, or in a sermon. Conducting a search is simple:

1. Select a category from the first drop down menu; or
2. Conduct a word search of all the devotions in the library.

Note: to see a random selection of stories, select the "Random Selection" option.

Section 7: Writing Center

The online Writing Center is exclusively devoted to the needs of church secretaries and other church staff members. A new lesson is presented each Monday. Each lesson begins with a brief interactive exercise on the subject for that week. The key to improvement is consistent and repetitive learning and practice. These lessons will help you achieve that goal. (And yes, it is okay if the students in your church try them too!)

Section 8: CST University

CST University is dedicated to providing professional training to church secretaries and administrative assistants. To most fully benefit from each CSTU seminar make sure you download the seminar notebook, and use it while listening to the seminar. If you have problems playing the audio presentations, download a free version of Windows Media Player. Discussion Boards are also available for each seminar in the CST Online Resource Center. Click on the Discussion Board link located in the Online Resource Center and select the CST University Forum.

Note: audio CDs are available for selected seminars and may be purchased in the CST Online Bookstore. You may purchase the Complete Audio Training CD Collection at a substantial discount.

Section 9: Online Church Calendars

The Church Secretary Today Online Church Calendar Program program enables your church to create multiple church calendars that can be maintained and viewed on the Internet. Make sure you Print a Copy of the Instructions. They are only a few pages long and it is vital that you understand the significance of selecting a username and password before you set up your calendar account. This is thoroughly explained in the calendar instructions.

Section 10: Room and Reservation Manager

The CST Reservation Manager program enables your church to maintain complete and detailed reservation schedules for all of your rooms, equipment, vehicles and resources at multiple locations.  To see the program in action view the Demo Program. To get started, make sure you begin by printing a copy of the user manual [ MS Word doc | pdf ]. The manual is only a few pages long and provides important information on how to use the program.

As a CST subscriber, your account is automatically activated. All you have to do is access the program, and enter your personal CST username and password (note: you cannot use the generic username and password printed monthly in the CST newsletter). If you do not know your personal CST username and password, see Section 1 above.

Section 11: Weekly Case Study

The Weekly Case Study focuses on common problems and shared concerns that impact the work of all church secretaries. You'll learn directly from other church secretaries, and be able to share your own insights as well as questions. To participate start by reading the case study and then: (1) go to the Weekly Case Study discussion board; (2) select the subject for that week; and (3) share your comments and engage in the discussion.

Section 12: CST Chat

The CST Chat Room provides an opportunity to interact with other church secretaries and administrative assistants from across the United States and Canada. In order to use the chat room you must register a username and password. The "Register" link is found under the "Account Management" section of the phpmychat box. After you register, enter your username and password under the "Please set" area of the phpmychat box, then join one of three types of chat rooms:

• Select one of the "default rooms." Then click the "chat" button.
• Select one of the public rooms created by a user (if there are any at that time). Then click the "chat" button.
• Create a public or private chat room by selecting that option and also typing in the name of your created room. NOTE: Anyone can enter a public room you create. In contrast, only those who know the name of your PRIVATE room can enter that room.

5. After you enter a chat room:

• The chat conversation is on the left.
• The names of the people chatting are on the right.
• Enter your chat text in the box at the bottom of the screen and click on "Send." The page refreshes every 10 seconds so you can follow the conversation.
• You may also jump to any of the default public chat rooms by clicking their links in the upper right portion of the screen. NOTE: None of the publicly or privately created chat rooms are listed, so if you are in one of those and jump to a default room, it might be awkward to get back again.
• Exit the chat room by clicking "Exit" in the upper right corner of the screen.

1. If you have a problem loading the chat page , make sure you are using a recent version of your browser software (Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Netscape, AOL). Some older browsers may not work.

2. If you use AOL or Compuserve , you may not see the chat window even though you are listed as a participant. Here is what you can do. Rather than accessing CSToday through your AOL or Compuserve browser, open a separate browser such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox (see below). Then using that browser, go to CSToday and access the chat room from there. You should have no problem. If you do not have the Firefox browser, we highly recommend it. You can download it for free from www.mozilla.com.

3. Also, remember to select the exit button when you leave the chat room. Otherwise your name will remain on the list of people in the chat room.

Section 13: CST Cookbook

The CST Cookbook contains hundreds of recipies submitted by church secretaries and administrative assistants. Most are easy to fix, and often find their way to church potluck dinners. To find a recipe, select a recipe category from the first drop down menu. Next, select a subcategory from the second drop down menu. To see all the recipes from the selected category, choose the subcategory "all." Note: a few categories do not list any subcategories, in which case the only option available is "all." Then click on the "Find" button.

Section 14: Bulletin Bloopers

A new bulletin blooper appears each day. Feel free to use the bloopers in your own church newsletter or bulletin. Also, please share any new bloopers you come across by mailing them to csteditor@christianitytoday.com. Finally, I know some people don't like bloopers, but bloopers are a learning tool. Actually though, I just enjoy them and it's good to laugh at ourselves.

Section 15: Other Resources

We continuously monitor the Internet to locate useful sites for church staff members. Rather than presenting an overwhelming number of links, we present those that we believe will be of the most help to you. If you know of a link better than the one we provide, please let us know by contacting us at csteditor@christianitytoday.com and we will update the options.

Begin your search by selecting one of the following four options from the first drop-down menu.

• Secretary Links (the links most relevant to church secretaries)
  
  
• Ministry Links (a more broad list of links for church staff)
  
  
• Personal Links (additional helpful links)
  
  
• All Links (all of the above)

Then select a second option from the second drop-down menu. This menu provides a list of subcategories.

If you have links you want to add, please send them to csteditor@christianitytoday.com.

Section 16: Copyright Restrictions.

Only churches or organizations with a current active subscription to Church Secretary Today are authorized to make copies of any material that originates from this site. Copies must be used as part of the ministry of that church and cannot be resold, modified, or distributed without prior written approval from Christian Ministry Resources. If you have questions, contact us at csteditor@christianitytoday.com.