Small Groups? Database Management? Children’s Check-In? Churchteams

In today’s world every church has data management needs. Managing church data doesn’t sound profound or spiritual, but it’s necessary. That’s why Church Management Software (ChMS or CMS for short) systems are wildly popular resources for church leaders. Since the 1980s entrepreneurs have been making software specifically designed for managing churches. As time has marched on and technology has progressed the abilities of ChMS systems has dramatically improved.  As a result there are better services and products available for church management than ever before.  If you are in the market for a ChMS, you will most likely want a system that includes the following much-in-demand features:

1. Financial Tools – Just like businesses, churches must be financially responsible.  Good ChMS products allow the tracking of every detail related to a church’s income.  Knowing donation tracking, pledge-tracking, online giving and donor statements are part of nearly every good ChMS’s list of features.
2. Discipleship And Group Tools – Many church management systems have communication and tracking tools for small groups, Bible studies, special interest groups and Sunday school classes.  These features simplify communication between church leaders and group leaders.  They also allow for communication between group members as well.  Quality ChMS products allow for online lists of groups and classes to easily be incorporated into your church’s website.  More advanced ChMS companies even offer online discipleship processes from within their software.  Churchteams, for example, includes their fully-customizable “Growth Finder” tool.  It allows parishioners to complete an assessment showing them areas of personal development and providing resources to help them grow in those areas. 
3. Easy-To-Manage-Data – Keeping accurate and up-to-date data is frequently complicated, but a good ChMS can help make it easier.  Always look for software that groups people into families, allows individuals to update their own personal data, offers church directories, tracks people who have moved, and captures parishioner photographs.  These features greatly enhance data-management.
4. Children’s Ministry Check-In – Without question, every church should have a secure check-in system for their children.  Many ChMS systems include children’s check-in software.  A good check-in system helps improve security, allows for multiple check-in stations, includes printable name-tags, prevents child-abductions, protects kids from allergic reactions and works on tablets or smart pads.  The world is dangerous, so good check-in software is really not a negotiable feature.