Church Membership Software: Uses and Benefits
Running a church is a lot like running a business. There is a cost to operate it. Also, when you have a large group of members, you will need to keep their information on file for a wide variety of reasons.
Just like a business, if you don’t manage the membership information correctly, you won’t be able to run an effective church. No need to worry though, because there is church membership software that can help you with this, making you more efficient so you can grow your members!
What Is Church Membership Software or ChMS?
A tool that helps churches and related groups to automate, manage, and organize daily operations we call church membership software. Church software takes care of many processes, such as:
- Databases
- Communication
- Community programs
- Worship programs
- Events
While it may seem like an unlikely pair, churches and technology go together like birds of a feather! Religious organizations have been reluctant to adapt to new technology, but all that is changing. Churches are quickly catching up with new church membership software.
Technology is becoming embraced by churches because of its fantastic benefits. They are getting involved in technology like:
- Internet
- Social Media
- Devices
- Applications
Church Technology Statistics
Tyndale University College and Seminary ran a survey with over 360 churches. They found that 99% of churches use their own sound equipment.
They also found that people read the Bible on a smartphone and tablet, reported by over 74% of church members. Church leaders, 54% overall, do not disparage the use of technology.
ROAR.pro also ran a survey on the use of social media and churches. They found that 98.97% of churches use Facebook, an astounding statistic. They consider it to be the most effective social media platform.
Social media is the most effective way to do outreach, says 46.1% of churches. 77.32% of churches report that they use Twitter.
Benefits of Church Database Software
Church database software has tons of benefits. While each church membership software has distinct features, they all have the following benefits in common.
Church-Centric
Church database software is designed for churches in mind, so they suit the needs of churches. Choosing from any business software won’t give you the same results. Church software has a distinct operation with your unique church goals and activities in mind.
Studies show that churches can lose members after five to seven years, which is why regular outreach and involvement in the church is critical to their long-term success. A lack of a technology tool can be harmful for the future.
Dashboard Management
Church membership software is a full-feature management tool with a dashboard. This offers a unified view of the church’s information, in one location.
You don’t need to look through a few different applications, data, and records here and there to put together a story. You are conveniently finding what you need in a centralized, easy-to-access place.
Reporting
If you need statistics, you won’t need to guess what they are. Church database software runs reports and statistics for you with a click of a button.
You can get membership insight and financial reports. You can see where you can grow, identifying bottlenecks. It helps you work to make important improvements by making informed decisions.
Events Management
Church membership software is a match made in heaven for community events and enormous churches! Without it, it’s difficult to schedule, plan, and organize.
Fortunately, with church software, you can monitor assets, facilitate bookings, and track contributions. A bonus is the communication features! You can inform and update members simply of a change in a program, activity, and schedule.
Check-In Management
A tremendous benefit, check-in management is perfect for large events and gatherings. It accounts for members and their children.
This is a way to ensure that your church event is well-organized. You know if a participant is present and you have it well documented.
Advantages of Church Accounting Software
Churches need to manage their finances similar to how a business does. Collections, donations, and contributions are how churches can maintain themselves and how they grow. Churches track the money coming in.
Good news! Church software can help. It has features that make it simple to keep track of donations.
It can generate reports of collections, too. That’s because all the financial information is centralized.
Church accounting software keeps track of:
- Contact information
- Member details
- Records of collection
- Financial reports
- Important files and documents
You can house it in one easily accessible and secure location. This helps churches save on time and resources. It also reduces the chances of fraud.
Churches can feel strengthened with increased accountability offered by church financial software. Embezzlement and fraud could happen. You don’t want this to happen, so you need a preventative measure in place.
Church accounting software has reporting features that include mandatory double-entry procedures. It also contains a traceable audit trail.
You can require internal controls with church financial software. This means adding authentication protocols and multi-level passwords. You have a log of users, so you can monitor who used it and who made changes.
Free Church Accounting Software
As a church, you may be strapped for cash and hesitant to spend money on purchasing church software. Even though, you admit, you really could use it. Especially with church accounting software.
There is free church accounting software out there. You just want to do your due diligence, researching and making sure that it is right for you and your church. Check out what other people are saying about it and search for any online reviews.
Tools and Tips for Churches
We hope you enjoyed this article on church membership software. Our goal is for you to use some of these key take-aways, implement them, and grow your church.
For more helpful information, please stop by again. We always have new content that you will love!
