Top 10 church management software features every parish needs

June 21, 2022 by

Brandon Duncan

So your unresponsive, outdated, and out-of-touch legacy parish platform has finally bit the dust. But what’s the alternative?

The best church management software is built to help streamline processes and communication so you can stay focused on ministry while also tracking the key metrics and data to support the growth of your church community.

As you know, every parish is unique and has its own set of challenges. So having the proper administrative tools is one of the most important investments any parish can make. Whether you’re serving 100 or 10,000 families – a single parish or parish cluster – your ideal solution should have the versatility to adapt to your specific needs. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the ten must-have features you should expect when exploring new options to manage parish operations. 

And so, without further ado:
 

1

User-friendly and mobile-responsive

A user-friendly interface to navigate is a must for any church staff, from the least tech-savvy to the more advanced users on your team. But one essential feature is the ability to access your data from any internet-connected device, whether a desktop, tablet or smartphone. 

We can think of countless scenarios for why a mobile-responsive ChMS should be included in your next upgrade: 

• As a pastor, consider how convenient it would be to quickly lookup parishioner-specific information on your cell phone before walking into a home visit or pastoral meeting; 

• Imagine picking up where you left off on your tablet or smartphone if the Internet connection goes down at the parish (we’ve all been there!);

• What if you need to look something up for Father but you already left the office? No problem! Hop on your computer at home or whip out your smartphone or tablet and knock out the task with ease.

It’s time you embraced the freedom of a mobile-responsive data management experience! 
 

2

Reliable data security

As a cloud-based technology company, eCatholic understands the importance of online security. Any database system, if taken seriously, undergoes regularly scheduled security audits and testing. This helps reduce system vulnerabilities and ensures your data remains safely stored and protected from costly cyber attacks. No free software or a spreadsheet saved to your desktop is worth the risk. So choose wisely!
 

3

Built-in communication tools

Church management is more than just collecting and storing parishioner data. It’s about relationships! Any worthwhile ChMS must include the tools that enable you to send emails and keep track of parishioner interactions, calls, and visits. Imagine the efficiency and impact your ministry can achieve from a single platform! A ChMS that gives you the freedom to directly engage and communicate with parishioners is essential to forming missionary disciples and laying a solid foundation to help your parish grow and thrive.

4

Customized reporting

Custom reports offer a “bird’s eye” view of your parish’s overall health. A reliable ChMS reporting system can help you manage parishioner relationships, track Mass attendance and stewardship trends, and evaluate ministry effectiveness. But the value of custom reporting really shines when it enables church staff to a) assess a community's needs; b) plan, set and achieve strategic goals; and c) swiftly take action. 
 

5

Quick search and filtering

The search feature is the "backbone" of any parish database system. In addition to basic search functionality, you’ll want a ChMS that enables you to manually arrange your data and create personalized views so you can export only the information you need. Say no more to overbearing PDF or Excel spreadsheets with irrelevant details! If you can’t quickly search and filter the data you need in seconds, buyer beware!

6

Online registration for families and religious ed

No more paper sign-ups and manual uploads! Make life easier by moving your family and religious ed registrations to an all-digital process. This will ensure your staff is on the same page and help you avoid confusion over who is registered and who needs follow-up. And as an added bonus, by merging your online forms with church management software, you’ll get a smooth and stress-free experience while claiming more time to focus on your ministry. 

See how eCatholic CHMS’s family and religious ed registration features are changing the game for eCatholic customers!

7

Support for weekly offertory, fundraising, and capital campaigns

There are several advantages to initiating online giving in your parish; automating weekly offertories, fundraising, and capital campaigns are among them. And keeping an accurate record is vital to your parish’s financial well-being. By integrating your online giving with a robust church management software, you can help the accounting process run smoothly. And for those who still prefer giving by cash or check, your ChMS should make manual entries a breeze!

As a ChMS customer, you can enjoy seamless integration with eCatholic Payments, so data from online donations – single or recurring – flow right into your database. It’s every bookkeeper's dream!
 

8

Support for parish collaboratives or clusters

Managing joined parishes can be an administrative challenge, often leaving your head spinning for days. Imagine all you could accomplish with the proper management tool at your fingertips – eliminate duplicate records, organize multiple religious ed programs, and coordinate a variety of parish committees and ministry schedules. And not only that, your staff will thank you!

End those long, frustrating days at the office! With a quick search across the entire database of parishes, eCatholic ChMS can help you say goodbye forever to duplicate records, class assignment mix-ups, and scheduling mishaps.
 

9

Performance and speed

There are only so many hours to focus on your work in a day, and you don’t need your software slowing you down! Why wait minutes (or hours) for your clunky, outdated legacy system to load a simple search query or run a report? You need an administrative solution built for the church of the new millennium. With the latest advancements in cloud-based technology, you should expect a faster, more flexible, and even more efficient work experience. 
   

10

And last but surely not least – Customer Support!

Navigating the uncertainty of working with new technology can be nerve-wracking! Whichever ChMS you choose, be sure it includes an amazing customer support plan. But not just any support plan; select one that offers unlimited live-person assistance by phone, email, or video conference. A company that gives little priority to customer support (or asks you to pay extra for it!) is likely a good indication of the quality of its product.

With eCatholic ChMS, you’ll receive award-winning customer support from an expert team eager to assist with your every need (and always with a smile). Our mission is to help serve the Church’s mission, which means ensuring you are empowered to use eCatholic ChMS to its fullest.
 

So what’s next?

With this handy checklist, it’s time to decide the best church management solution for your parish. But take your time, and if you are overwhelmed, call us! We’ve worked with hundreds of parishes to help them find the right ChMS, and we’re here for you, too - no strings attached! 

And be sure to schedule a free eCatholic ChMS demo - our team is ready to take you for a spin and answer any questions you may have.
 

What other features would you like your ChMS to have and why? We’d love to hear your feedback! Share your thoughts or questions in the comments section below.