Our church uses Planning Center. We have many singles and young families. A few people in the 40 - 70 age range. Everyone is computer literate and almost everyone uses smartphones. We use Planning Center for the membership database, service and volunteer scheduling and the Giving module. I am not aware of any scamming/hacking issues.
The Scheduling module is handy as volunteers can block out dates that they are not available. When the scheduling is done, volunteers are sent their schedule. They go online and confirm their commitment so the administrator can verify who is coming. You can also send a reminder email to the volunteers the week before they are scheduled. The service liturgy can also be included.
The Giving module allows members, at their convenience, to go online to make their donation via credit card (debit, not sure as we don't use this). Their donations are automatically recorded in the database. You can set up different funds. There is also a batch feature that allows you to enter other giving methods such as etransfers or monthly giving. We no longer have in person offerings during the service as everybody prefers a different giving method. You can export the data into Excel and obtain statistical and reporting information. We use this to also reconcile to the bank account and accounting software. We balance everything at year-end. Tax receipts are very easy. Just verify everyone's email and mailing address, set up a cover letter and then press the button and an email is sent to everyone for their access to their tax receipt. Hard copies can be printed as needed. Revisions can be made. Electronic copies of all the receipts can be kept in central location. Only those people (eg treasurer) who have been provided access to the module can see this confidential information.
There is a cost. However, for our church, the features keep the time commitment from everyone at a minimum. With how busy most people are these days, it allows us to schedule more efficiently and our donations are higher than they would be if we didn't provide online options. It also reduces the need for paper records.
Posted in: Is Your Church Using Planning Centre?
Our church uses Planning Center. We have many singles and young families. A few people in the 40 - 70 age range. Everyone is computer literate and almost everyone uses smartphones. We use Planning Center for the membership database, service and volunteer scheduling and the Giving module. I am not aware of any scamming/hacking issues.
The Scheduling module is handy as volunteers can block out dates that they are not available. When the scheduling is done, volunteers are sent their schedule. They go online and confirm their commitment so the administrator can verify who is coming. You can also send a reminder email to the volunteers the week before they are scheduled. The service liturgy can also be included.
The Giving module allows members, at their convenience, to go online to make their donation via credit card (debit, not sure as we don't use this). Their donations are automatically recorded in the database. You can set up different funds. There is also a batch feature that allows you to enter other giving methods such as etransfers or monthly giving. We no longer have in person offerings during the service as everybody prefers a different giving method. You can export the data into Excel and obtain statistical and reporting information. We use this to also reconcile to the bank account and accounting software. We balance everything at year-end. Tax receipts are very easy. Just verify everyone's email and mailing address, set up a cover letter and then press the button and an email is sent to everyone for their access to their tax receipt. Hard copies can be printed as needed. Revisions can be made. Electronic copies of all the receipts can be kept in central location. Only those people (eg treasurer) who have been provided access to the module can see this confidential information.
There is a cost. However, for our church, the features keep the time commitment from everyone at a minimum. With how busy most people are these days, it allows us to schedule more efficiently and our donations are higher than they would be if we didn't provide online options. It also reduces the need for paper records.