Get To Know The Features
First, become acquainted with how to use the following connection features in your Church Membership Online church management software.
Ministries
(also referred to as groups or small groups) This feature will allow you to add as many connection interest groups as you need. By adding them it will allow you to schedule, track, report and email and text your members.
Custom Fields
This feature will allow you to add text fields, date fields and value list fields which can be used to identify individual interest, skills, jobs, concerns, etc… and then produce a list (report) of those who share the same interest.
Mass Email with MailChimp
Use this great feature to create professional email newsletters on connection happenings, news and events.
Text Messaging
This quick notification tool can be used to send to the mobile phones of a connect group to remind them of the event or a change which is important for a successful turnout.
Individual Member Access & Directory Links
This feature empowers your members to maintain their own contact information, access their churches real-time calendar, connect with other members, and track their contributions
Involve Members Of Your Congregation
Second, promote the following features to your church members:
Individual Member Access
Church Office Online provides free brochures customized with your church name, address and contacts. The brochures are emailed to you and can be further customized. Run off Copy as many as you need and hand them out to your church members. Let your members know that emailing a person in the church is very easy, just click on the email address in the Individual Access Member Directory and it will bring up their email program.
Demonstrate to your church how easy it is to use Individual Access and how important it is to help the church have current information to connect with other members.
Text Message Notifications
Use Church Membership Online text messaging to send “connection alerts” for events aimed at members with a certain small group interest.
Connection Email Forwarding
Email forwarding is possible by clicking on a link at the bottom of each MailChimp newsletter “Forward to a Friend”.
Create a “Connection Central” Ministry
A “Connection Central” ministry is a connection team who creates post connection opportunities. Go to “Add a Ministry” in the “Church” menu of Church Membership Online add “Connection Central Team”. Invite people in your church who are good at building relationships and who want to join in the fun of helping people to connect. This team will be responsible to create, plan, provide and promote connection events.
Check back next week for a new article on how to build connection, family and community in Your church.
Mike Smith
Church Office Online – Church Management Software