These days, most every church office will have a computer, printer, fax machine, scanner, internet router, wireless router, telephone, and if not all of these, at least some of these. Usually these devices get added over time as the church develops a need for them. That means those tanglely cords end up being toss behind the office desk or kicked back as far as they can be kicked.

The problem with this is those cords have a nasty habit of getting in the way down the road and causing people to get tangled up in them. With those cords out, it is so easy to trip over them (I know) and could cause a great deal of pain. I’m going to give you some tips to cutting the cable clutter in your church’s office. You might be asking why? I believe a church office ought to be in order and neat. Too many times, a church office is just an office of clutter rather than an office of cleanliness. An uncluttered office helps set a good testimony to your church members and visitors. It may seem like a little thing, but it’s really not and many times a cluttered and unorganized church office can tell you a lot about a church.

Here are five do it yourself tips to stopping the cord clutter.

1. 1.Zip ties - These plastic ties are my favorite for getting the  cords under a desk under control. They are cheap and can secure wires quite easily. The downside to them is you have to cut them in order to add new cables and cords.
   

2. 2.Trash bag ties - These little guys usually end up sitting in a drawer somewhere in the church kitchen or even your home junk drawer. Cheap and reusable they are, but they cannot handle a lot of cords unless you twist two of them together.
   

3. 3.A cable trough - I’ve used this idea a couple times. Depending on your desk and how it’s positioned this can be a great way to organize your cords. You basically add a trough on the back side of the desk for the cables to lay in. You can use wood or even a large PVC pipe with holes cut in it for you to thread the wires thru. A little bit of work, but with a little paint, it’ll look good and get the job done.
   

4. 4.Fabric strips - Another cheap but can be an effective way to contain the cluttered cords. You’d probably have to cut these strips away if you needed to add more cords, but they won’t damage your  cables.
   

5. 5.Velcro - Going to the craft store and picking up some velcro strips can be a another good way to eliminate cable clutter. The best part about the velcro strips is they are able to be cut to size and quite reusable.
   

Another thought before I go, cleaning up the cable clutter in your church office can work out for a great illustration for a church sermon or Sunday school lesson. Many people will be able to relate with your experience.

Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

1 Peter 2:20-22 “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”