Church Center - St. Paul's New Mobile App and Web Experience

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We are excited to announce the launch of Church Center! Keep reading to learn more about this new way for us to stay connected!

What is Church Center?

Church Center is a mobile app and web experience that will help us better connect with one another and our mission to share the love of Jesus. It will be your one-stop-shop to find out what's happening at St. Paul's and get involved.

Why is St. Paul's getting the Church Center app?

We expect that Church Center will help us better connect you with what you need to grow your faith, serve, and get involved at St. Paul's. It will also improve church communication and provide tools to help our leaders better serve the church.

How do I access Church Center?

Access Church Center by downloading the Church Center App on your smartphone or tablet. Go toΒ https://spalutheran.churchcenter.com/setup, download the App, and follow the instructions.

You can also access it from a PC through a web browser like Chrome Β at https://spalutheran.churchcenter.com. Use the Login button at the upper right.

When you access Church Center for the first time you will connect with St Paul's by entering your mobile phone number or email address, then entering the one-time 6-digit code code that you receive.

Is Church Center replacing our church website or the Connect email newsletter?

No. Both the church website and Connect email newsletter will continue to be important communication tools. Our website, spalutheran.org, will get a makeover over the next several months to better welcome potential visitors. Mass emails from the church are starting to look different but will still provide the info you need.

What features are available on Church Center?

Features will be rolled out gradually. Right now you can find:

  • Profile: Directly manage and update your personal information in the church database, and control how it is shared.
  • Giving: A better way to give electronically.
  • Groups: Find, join, and participate in Bible Studies and ministry groups.
  • Registrations: Sign up and RSVP for fellowship events, serving opportunities, and more.
  • Check-ins: Let us know you've joined us for worship or an event, plus improved security and communication with parents for Sunday School and VBS.
  • Featured calendar events for special worship services and fellowship events.
  • Share prayer requests right in the app.
  • Quick links to important resources not yet in Church Center (church calendar, legacy signups, livestream, connection card, ministry info).

What features will be available in the future?

We will be rolling out new features over the next several months. These include:

  • Full church calendar
  • Directory to help members keep in touch (you choose what you do and don't share)
  • Additional signups for events and service opportunities (goodbye, SignUpGenius!)
  • Worship planning and volunteer scheduling
  • And more!

I gave electronically through Vanco. What's changed?

Church Center Giving (powered by Stripe) is now our primary electronic giving platform. Please pray about your contribution moving forward. When you are ready, please set up your desired contribution in Church Center. If you made recurring gifts in Vanco and wish to continue, you will need to set up a new recurring gift in Church Center. Your past giving history has been moved into the new system for a seamless experience at tax time.

Our business manager, Heidi, will be glad to help you with a smooth transition. Contact her at business@spalutheran.org.

Why did we move away from Vanco electronic giving?

The Church Center Giving platform is available right in the app for convenient giving. Church Center also has lower processing fees than Vanco.

What if I'm new to electronic giving?

Please use the Giving button in Church Center to set up one-time or recurring gifts. If you have questions, Heidi, our business manager, will be happy to help. You can reach her at business@spalutheran.org.

I've heard people talk about Planning Center. What is that?

Planning Center is the company that developed the Church Center app. It's also a suite of software tools that church staff and some ministry leaders will use to perform ministry tasks and run Church Center behind the scenes.

What's happening to Church 360?

Church 360 is our current church member database software. Over the next several months, we will transition away from Church 360 to Church Center and Planning Center. Our Church 360 database will be retired once we've fully set up certain Church Center features and finished our website makeover.

Is my information safe?

Yes. Both Planning Center (the company that developed Church Center) and St. Paul's prioritize the security and privacy of your information. Planning Center follows industry best practices to keep your data secure. St. Paul's does not sell your data and only uses it to better minister to you and the congregation as a whole. When the Directory is rolled out later this year, you will get to choose what is and isn't shared with the congregation. You can also control how your information is shared in any groups that you join.

What if I need help with Church Center?

The St. Paul's Technology Team is here to help! You can usually find us in the Narthex after worship to answer your questions and help you get connected with Church Center. You can also ask questions using the form linked below or contact the church office.

Ask a Question or Request Help with Church Center

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