First steps: Making The Most of Your Church Management Software

How correct implementation can get you even more value for your money.

You have signed up for the GoDoChurch administration system and now you need to start implementing the system in your context. It feels like a big task, and in some ways it is big. That’s why breaking it into steps is so important.

First things first…

1. Adding people to your database

There are various ways you can add your members to your database.

• Import of a current database/MS Excel Sheet — this is a free service to our customers — just email support@godochurch.com with your prepared file. Read Importing data into GoDoChurch to see how you should prepare your data.
• The quick add function — click on the button in the admin system, add a name, mobile number and email address and you are good to go.
• Follow up record — Capture a person’s info via the Follow Up module. The person is then added to your database as a visitor. If they then join your church, just change their status by clicking on the drop-down button under their profile pic on the Profile Window. This works well for newcomers and visitors that need to be followed up and kept record of.
• The Subscribe to the Announcements news channel — An ideal way to have the large part of your church add themselves to the database without creating accounts for them. Show the channel subscribe link in church, have members take out their phones, type in the link and then follow the prompts. From there everyone that subscribed has a GoDoChurch Profile and can be managed on the system.
• Sign up for an event/Register for a course — When you have a church wide event or course you can have your members register for the event through GoDoChurch. Just add the event registration link to the event advertising and invitation that you send out to people. Then make sure that you have updated the event settings to add people that register for the event to your database.
• Download the mobile app and create an account — This is the most thorough way to add members to your database. It requires more buy-in from your members to complete the process. It also only suggested once you have a fully set up database as the app is populated with your database content.
  Have members download the GoDoChurch app from the Apple or Android app store and create an account and log in. They then need to confirm their email address, log into the app and complete their profile details. You can also ask them to update their News subscriptions, Growth path and Involvement info.

Then, Setting the framework…

2. Adding structure to your database

When you look at your church structure there are groups, roles and functions of people that you regularly communicate with or keep record of. Think of the Ministry teams, your staff roles and small group structures and add them in relevant modules. These groupings will help you keep your database organised and communication simplified.

Another way to add structure to your database is to add your church growth path. These are actions, resources, events or courses that you provide to your church members to assist with their spiritual growth. It can also be actions or ‘milestones’ that you would like to know off, like being saved or baptised.

• Roles: these are your church functions and can consist of a person or multiple people in a role. Like the Treasury committee, Elders, lay preachers, preacher or administrators.
• Ministry teams: these are the teams that serve in your church.
• Growth Path: Add the stages and activities in each stage to see which members have completed which activities.

Decide which of the GoDoChurch modules you would like to include in your subscription. You can take the full package from the start, or just selected modules as you go through your implementation process. We suggest making use of all the modules if you want to make use of the GoDoChurch App in your church. The more modules you use to generate content, the more useful your church app will be for your members.

… giving the bones some meat…

3. Adding content to your database

Have a look at your current processes and systems for sending and distributing announcements, communication and sermons to your church members. Do you have any weekly or monthly routines? How can you simplify them and use GoDoChurch to distribute them to your members?

• Announcements: Rather than sending out an email via the church email account, schedule and send out a post via the announcement news channel. All your church members in the database are already on the channel and they can get the email or a post to the Mobile app*. (*The mobile app needs to be activated for your church and the members need an account on the free GoDoChurch app.)
• Emails to groups of people: Set up your Ministries, Roles and teams in the different modules in GoDochurch and easily send out emails or SMSes to them without wondering if the list is updated and correct.
• Sermons: Instead of emailing your members a link to a file load the sermon in GoDoChurch and have your members stream the sermon from the app. No more looking for old emails.
• Events/Courses: Add in t hose events where you would need a RSVP or a ticket. Send the registration link either via SMS, email or on printed flyers or invitations to your members.

Lastly, making it your own.

4. Get your team on board

When the system aspects are in place, like most plans, systems and changes you bring into your organisation, you still need to Champion GoDoChurch and you still need to get your staff or ministry team on board with actually using the system. This means continually pointing them to how GoDoChurch can, and should, be used in your environment. It means keeping your church management system top-of-mind until all the old processes and everything that you decided need to happen through GoDoChurch, is happening though GoDoChurch.

5. Get your members on board

Rolling out GoDochurch to your members depends on your unique situation. Sometimes a big launch with signup stations and balloons are in order. Other times a slow roll out, first to your staff, then to your core volunteers, then to your small groups and then to your members is needed. We can counsel you on a suggested roll out plan.

This article is a process overview of how to implement your GoDoChurch Church Administration system in your church. For a full set of instructions and help files, you can go to our comprehensive Support Site or contact our Support Team for assistance and counsel.

GoDoChurch is Web-based church administration software that helps the modern church stay connected to its congregation. Get a Mobile App, multisite support, event management, small group management, a follow-up module, pretty newsletters and more.

PS. If this article helped you, please share it with your team, church staff or a church that you think can benefit from having church administration software in place.