We’ve found that it is hard to compare church management software. The pricing can be hidden. And the features can seem more like comparing apples to watermelons rather than apples to apples. So this fall we sent surveys to over 200 church management software providers asking in-depth questions about features, pricing, clientele, and the companies behind the code. Sixty-one responded and were willing to share details beyond their sales pitch. This list represents over 12,000 cells of ... Read More
What WordPress 4.9 Means for Churches
There's a good chance your church website is using WordPress. After all, WordPress powers 29% of internet sites thanks to its free price for the actual software, the wide supply of themes and plugins to customize the look and add powerful functionality. Well, the latest update to WordPress, WordPress 4.9, adds some very useful functionality for churches that you should check out. ... Read More
New Church WordPress Theme: “Saved” [Review]
I have long been a fan of churchthemes.com and their Church Content plugin. My church, as well, is a happy customer—we've been using their church WordPress themes since 2013! And now, we've just switched over to the Saved Theme, and I have to say, I love it! Best of all, my pastor loves it, too. Here's what the designers have to say about it: ... Read More
How to Set Up a Church Website with Genesis from StudioPress
It's becoming much rarer for a church not to have some form of a website, but there are still some churches which don't have one. In addition, some churches websites are now getting old and dated, and at best, give off a bad impression, but at worse, aren't mobile friendly (how most people access the web now) and have poor navigation, functionality, and rank worse in search engines. All this made me think of a little mini series of a couple of video guides how you (or anyone else) can set up a ... Read More
Help Us, Help You: The ChMS Customer Survey
We’ve found that it is hard to compare church software. The pricing can be hidden. And the features can seem more like comparing apples to watermelons rather than apples to apples. ChurchMag is looking to change that by surveying both church software companies and the customers that use them. If you represent a church that uses church software, please take a moment to complete this quick and easy survey. We’re gathering data on full-service church management software solutions as well as more ... Read More
Restore Church: Build Your Site Brick by Brick [Review]
I have been building websites since I was in seventh grade, which was two decades ago – a fact that I'd rather not dwell on. Back then, I did everything the hard way: HTML 3.0 coding. My only visual cues coming in the way of Microsoft Frontpage, which should tell you a lot. Eventually, I found my way to WordPress, and I've never looked back. Recently, I've started building websites for churches, and in my work, I came across a theme I'd never seen before, so I thought I share it with ... Read More
Innovation or Profitability: Which Should Determine The Future of Church Technology?
Quietly powering many churches in America, Church Management Systems (ChMS) impose opportunities and limitations. Recent acquisitions and mergers between the largest industry players have led to an increasingly closed environment. As for-profit organizations, they are locking into profitable and even exclusive agreements with debit/credit card processing partners in the pursuit for increased revenues. This all comes with a price tag of higher costs and lower innovation. At the mercy of the ... Read More
The Core: 16 WordPress Themes in 1 [Giveaway]
Are you looking for a WordPress theme that packs a lot of punch? Maybe a WordPress theme solution that can be used for not just one, but multiple websites? How about winning a free copy? I got you covered: ... Read More
Top 20 WordPress Plugins [Infographic]
What are your favorite WordPress plugins? The kind of plugins you can't live without or those that make your WordPress life easier? This list of 20 of the most popular WordPress plugins is interesting. Some of these I would never install, some I nod my head in agreement, while others I should go take a look at! ... Read More
The Green Bay Packers of Church Management?
Love them or hate them the Green Bay Packers are unique. How so? Many people don’t realize it but the Packs are the only publicly owned non-profit team in the NFL. In the truest sense they are owned by their fans. So how does this relate to Church Management Systems? Simple… there’s a new player in town, one that also is a non-profit, and while not technically owned by its fans (only 4 states allow a non-profit to sell shares), views its community of churches as owners. Last year the Spark ... Read More