Comments on: Search for the ideal church database (pt 1) http://www.communicatejesus.com/2009/07/searching-for-the-ideal-church-database/ Insights and inspiration to maximise your ministry Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:41:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Wayne http://www.communicatejesus.com/2009/07/searching-for-the-ideal-church-database/comment-page-1/#comment-2811 Wayne Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:01:19 +0000 http://communicatejesus.com/?p=1825#comment-2811 Was there ever a part 2 to this article? If so, maybe you need a short link in the introduction of part one. I'm wondering which database you found to be the best one! Was there ever a part 2 to this article? If so, maybe you need a short link in the introduction of part one. I’m wondering which database you found to be the best one!

]]> By: Steve Caton http://www.communicatejesus.com/2009/07/searching-for-the-ideal-church-database/comment-page-1/#comment-1454 Steve Caton Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:09:39 +0000 http://communicatejesus.com/?p=1825#comment-1454 Here is a terrific article about choosing the "ideal" church database as dictated by YOUR unique needs. It was published by Church and Worship Technology and features Christ Community Church in the greater Chicago area. They are a multi-site ministry serving roughly 5,000 attenders each week. While CCB gets some nice promo out of this article, the larger theme is about how to find the solution that is RIGHT for how you do church and how you implement it successfully. Enjoy! http://www.churchandworship.com/database/dms/cwt0809w78.pdf Steve Here is a terrific article about choosing the “ideal” church database as dictated by YOUR unique needs. It was published by Church and Worship Technology and features Christ Community Church in the greater Chicago area. They are a multi-site ministry serving roughly 5,000 attenders each week. While CCB gets some nice promo out of this article, the larger theme is about how to find the solution that is RIGHT for how you do church and how you implement it successfully.

Enjoy!

http://www.churchandworship.com/database/dms/cwt0809w78.pdf

Steve

]]> By: Tom Magill http://www.communicatejesus.com/2009/07/searching-for-the-ideal-church-database/comment-page-1/#comment-1208 Tom Magill Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:15:31 +0000 http://communicatejesus.com/?p=1825#comment-1208 Truth be told, I've felt a little swamp with the number of offerings on the market! And, like you, I've been trying to work my way through some (of the better presented ones) via tours and demos and such. Some things make me discount systems out of hand, however, no matter how good they might otherwise appear to be. So, while Shelby Systems 'Arena' looks pretty cool (and includes a website CMS - another system we're in the process of investigating) - it runs 'inhouse' on a Windows Server/SQL program, which we don't have and would have difficulty maintaining. Church Community Builder appears to have some very powerful functionality but my fear is that it will be too 'technical' for my Rector and our (more senior) lay leadership to use. Therefore the burden will fall on me for implementation, use and so on. I sat in on a webinar for The City - which was pretty basic - but it's been hard to get more details or a hands-on with their system to see if it will do what we want. Fellowship One is the system I am currently playing with. So, no firm recommendation yet ... but I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. It might really help my search! You can message me at tom@hoxtonparkanglican.com if you'd rather not provide spoilers for your next blog !! Truth be told, I’ve felt a little swamp with the number of offerings on the market! And, like you, I’ve been trying to work my way through some (of the better presented ones) via tours and demos and such. Some things make me discount systems out of hand, however, no matter how good they might otherwise appear to be.

So, while Shelby Systems ‘Arena’ looks pretty cool (and includes a website CMS – another system we’re in the process of investigating) – it runs ‘inhouse’ on a Windows Server/SQL program, which we don’t have and would have difficulty maintaining.

Church Community Builder appears to have some very powerful functionality but my fear is that it will be too ‘technical’ for my Rector and our (more senior) lay leadership to use. Therefore the burden will fall on me for implementation, use and so on.

I sat in on a webinar for The City – which was pretty basic – but it’s been hard to get more details or a hands-on with their system to see if it will do what we want. Fellowship One is the system I am currently playing with.

So, no firm recommendation yet … but I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. It might really help my search!

You can message me at tom@hoxtonparkanglican.com if you’d rather not provide spoilers for your next blog !!

]]> By: Steven Kryger http://www.communicatejesus.com/2009/07/searching-for-the-ideal-church-database/comment-page-1/#comment-1206 Steven Kryger Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:24:48 +0000 http://communicatejesus.com/?p=1825#comment-1206 Hi Tom, this is still on the table - narrowed it down to two, with a preferred, but more expensive option at number one. I'm currently reviewing some answers to questions I've posed, and will be providing an update shortly. What databases have you come across that you've been impressed with? Hi Tom, this is still on the table – narrowed it down to two, with a preferred, but more expensive option at number one. I’m currently reviewing some answers to questions I’ve posed, and will be providing an update shortly.

What databases have you come across that you’ve been impressed with?

]]> By: Tom Magill http://www.communicatejesus.com/2009/07/searching-for-the-ideal-church-database/comment-page-1/#comment-1205 Tom Magill Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:50:17 +0000 http://communicatejesus.com/?p=1825#comment-1205 Steve wrote: "I’m actually reviewing three of these databases at the moment (the three I think have the most potential), and will then share what I like and dislike about them, and what I’d recommend for different churches." So, you've had a month (!) - what conclusions have you come to? (For me the search goes on ...) Steve wrote: “I’m actually reviewing three of these databases at the moment (the three I think have the most potential), and will then share what I like and dislike about them, and what I’d recommend for different churches.”

So, you’ve had a month (!) – what conclusions have you come to?

(For me the search goes on …)

]]> By: Daniel Wennblom http://www.communicatejesus.com/2009/07/searching-for-the-ideal-church-database/comment-page-1/#comment-1133 Daniel Wennblom Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:06:58 +0000 http://communicatejesus.com/?p=1825#comment-1133 In consideration of the pricing discussion, we've decided to lower our prices. SeekerWorks(TM) is now priced at $99 for the first year (per computer), with a renewal of $50 each year thereafter (per computer). That’s $8.25 per month for the first year and $4.17 per month for subsequent years (per computer). A church can purchase a site license instead if they want an unlimited number of computers running on a network, which only makes sense if you want to use more than 7 computers ($699 for the first year and $499 for subsequent years). That's a maximum of $58.25 per month for the first year and a maximum of $41.58 per month for subsequent years. Those prices are all inclusive (support and updates for no additional charge during the support period). While SeekerWorks(TM) may not be web-based, it is network based and there is a ton of features it can do, including gifts/pledges, a follow up/tickler system to make sure no one falls through the cracks, and a picture-based check-in/check-out system to keep attendance and make sure only the right person can pick up the kids after the service is done. That's in addition to managing volunteers, small groups, classes/seminars, etc. Your feedback, if you choose to download it from our website and try it free for 30 days, is greatly appreciated. Thanks. In consideration of the pricing discussion, we’ve decided to lower our prices. SeekerWorks(TM) is now priced at $99 for the first year (per computer), with a renewal of $50 each year thereafter (per computer). That’s $8.25 per month for the first year and $4.17 per month for subsequent years (per computer). A church can purchase a site license instead if they want an unlimited number of computers running on a network, which only makes sense if you want to use more than 7 computers ($699 for the first year and $499 for subsequent years). That’s a maximum of $58.25 per month for the first year and a maximum of $41.58 per month for subsequent years. Those prices are all inclusive (support and updates for no additional charge during the support period).

While SeekerWorks(TM) may not be web-based, it is network based and there is a ton of features it can do, including gifts/pledges, a follow up/tickler system to make sure no one falls through the cracks, and a picture-based check-in/check-out system to keep attendance and make sure only the right person can pick up the kids after the service is done. That’s in addition to managing volunteers, small groups, classes/seminars, etc.

Your feedback, if you choose to download it from our website and try it free for 30 days, is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

]]> By: Charles Dale http://www.communicatejesus.com/2009/07/searching-for-the-ideal-church-database/comment-page-1/#comment-1125 Charles Dale Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:00:07 +0000 http://communicatejesus.com/?p=1825#comment-1125 Nice work Toby, it's a good direction to go in. Soon you'll have a full-blown CMS I guess? Any thought of releasing source or at least a paid host-it-yourself option? Nice work Toby, it’s a good direction to go in. Soon you’ll have a full-blown CMS I guess?

Any thought of releasing source or at least a paid host-it-yourself option?

]]> By: Toby Sterrett http://www.communicatejesus.com/2009/07/searching-for-the-ideal-church-database/comment-page-1/#comment-1120 Toby Sterrett Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:04:58 +0000 http://communicatejesus.com/?p=1825#comment-1120 Charlie, hehe good point. In fact, the next major version of the app is actually based around that whole observation which we had ourselves :) it's going to have a lot more focus on the community aspect of having everyone in the congregation use it and contribute, and a new name and site to reflect that. In fact, a lot of those features are there, but when I started the app it was just that - a tool for the staff to use. That's why I asked Steve about those types of features in the third installment. I'll be sure to let Steve know when the new version is out! Charlie, hehe good point. In fact, the next major version of the app is actually based around that whole observation which we had ourselves :) it’s going to have a lot more focus on the community aspect of having everyone in the congregation use it and contribute, and a new name and site to reflect that. In fact, a lot of those features are there, but when I started the app it was just that – a tool for the staff to use. That’s why I asked Steve about those types of features in the third installment. I’ll be sure to let Steve know when the new version is out!

]]> By: Charles Dale http://www.communicatejesus.com/2009/07/searching-for-the-ideal-church-database/comment-page-1/#comment-1117 Charles Dale Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:58:14 +0000 http://communicatejesus.com/?p=1825#comment-1117 Great discussion! I hacked up a hybrid solution for our church (Petersham Baptist) out of the Typo3 CMS + Mailman for mailing lists. Typo3 is a big mess of a CMS that provides heaps of features (complex groups system, user updateable accounts, media management including reading ID3 tags from uploaded MP3s and indexing them). Most of the features you list above are provided by extensions written by other users. Unfortunately the quality of many extensions is not great. I had to hack up most of what we wanted, including the user-updateable contact database and the media library. It was nice having a base to start with though, just had to customise/fix bugs. We use the groups defined in Typo3 to generate mailing lists in Mailman (updated twice daily). This gives us lots of useful mailing list management stuff for free: big lists can be moderated which catches spam and mis-sent email, but then individual addresses can be whitelisted. Also catches pastors sending massive attachments to 200+ people... I'd be surprised if any of the above software would compete with Mailman for mailing list management (i.e. not just mailouts, but so sub-groups and teams can use email for communication). I guess you could integrate the above software with Mailman as well. I guess it's a baptist thing but the whole staff/congregation distinction that appears to be baked in to most of the above software doesn't work for us. The name "Stafftool" for example =). For us a more standard community oriented site works better. But I should ask my pastor whether he wants those fancy graphs of giving versus attendance and all that ... That being said, I wouldn't recommend Typo3 to anyone because it has suffered from low code quality, poor docs, and development seems to have slowed. It has worked for us but I would do it differently if I had the chance... You guys have got me thinking of writing a new one with Rails ala Stafftool... But with less hierarchy built into the name =P Charlie P.S. Amusing side trivia. CCB provides "Web 2.0 Functionality" (http://www.churchcommunitybuilder.com/icws254w2/html/products.html) in all three versions. Wow. Great discussion!

I hacked up a hybrid solution for our church (Petersham Baptist) out of the Typo3 CMS + Mailman for mailing lists.

Typo3 is a big mess of a CMS that provides heaps of features (complex groups system, user updateable accounts, media management including reading ID3 tags from uploaded MP3s and indexing them). Most of the features you list above are provided by extensions written by other users. Unfortunately the quality of many extensions is not great. I had to hack up most of what we wanted, including the user-updateable contact database and the media library. It was nice having a base to start with though, just had to customise/fix bugs.

We use the groups defined in Typo3 to generate mailing lists in Mailman (updated twice daily). This gives us lots of useful mailing list management stuff for free: big lists can be moderated which catches spam and mis-sent email, but then individual addresses can be whitelisted. Also catches pastors sending massive attachments to 200+ people… I’d be surprised if any of the above software would compete with Mailman for mailing list management (i.e. not just mailouts, but so sub-groups and teams can use email for communication). I guess you could integrate the above software with Mailman as well.

I guess it’s a baptist thing but the whole staff/congregation distinction that appears to be baked in to most of the above software doesn’t work for us. The name “Stafftool” for example =). For us a more standard community oriented site works better. But I should ask my pastor whether he wants those fancy graphs of giving versus attendance and all that …

That being said, I wouldn’t recommend Typo3 to anyone because it has suffered from low code quality, poor docs, and development seems to have slowed. It has worked for us but I would do it differently if I had the chance…

You guys have got me thinking of writing a new one with Rails ala Stafftool… But with less hierarchy built into the name =P

Charlie

P.S. Amusing side trivia. CCB provides “Web 2.0 Functionality” (http://www.churchcommunitybuilder.com/icws254w2/html/products.html) in all three versions. Wow.

]]> By: Steven Kryger http://www.communicatejesus.com/2009/07/searching-for-the-ideal-church-database/comment-page-1/#comment-1084 Steven Kryger Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:37:32 +0000 http://communicatejesus.com/?p=1825#comment-1084 Hi Jay, thanks for your comments and advice. I've just signed up for a trial account with ICON now - just in the process of giving it a spin. Hi Jay, thanks for your comments and advice. I’ve just signed up for a trial account with ICON now – just in the process of giving it a spin.

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