Introduction

For over 26 years, Christy Smith has faithfully served Indiana Avenue Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas. From wearing multiple hats in her early years to her current role as Human Resource (HR) and Database Technology Administrator, Christy has witnessed the evolution of church operations firsthand. In 2020, Indiana Avenue transitioned to TouchPoint Software, an all-in-one church management software. This case study explores how TouchPoint has empowered their church, improved its processes, and supported its mission. 

The Challenge: Outgrowing Legacy Systems

Indiana Avenue Baptist Church has a large and dynamic congregation, with an average worship attendance of 1,000-1,500 across multiple services and a staff of 115. Managing data and processes for such a vibrant ministry is no small task. Christy described their previous church management software as an increasingly frustrating system. 

“Once they sold, their customer service tanked,” she explained. “They told me issues were my fault even though I was using their product in the cloud.” 

Recurrent issues like unreliable recurring giving, insufficient tools for database management, and poor customer support ultimately drove Indiana Avenue Baptist to seek a better solution. Additionally, the legacy system’s outdated interface created inefficiencies for staff managing registrations, member data, and donation management. 

The Solution: Transitioning To A New Database 

In 2020, Indiana Avenue Baptist Church decided to implement TouchPoint’s all-in-one church software. The transition came with a bold decision: bringing over “garbage data” from the old system. 

“I chose to bring a lot of garbage into TouchPoint and clean it there rather than lose records,” Christy shared. 

Although the database still requires ongoing cleanup, the functionality and support from TouchPoint made the transition worthwhile. Christy emphasized the importance of reliable customer service: 

“I don’t get blamed when the product doesn’t work. TouchPoint’s staff is quick to respond and answer my questions.” 

The Results: Key Benefits Of TouchPoint

1. Partner-Centric Support 

Christy highlighted how TouchPoint’s partnership philosophy sets it apart: 

“TouchPoint really sees themselves as a partner and co-laborers, as opposed to clients. Everyone I’ve dealt with genuinely believes in what they say.” 

From consulting to onboarding, the team’s commitment to supporting Indiana Avenue’s ministry has made a lasting impact. Regular consulting sessions have been instrumental in optimizing TouchPoint’s functionality for Indiana Avenue’s unique needs, such as streamlining event registrations and configuring custom searches.  

“We’ve done quite a few consulting times, and that’s great because they get in, and they look at our data, and make it work for us…which is just a huge plus and well worth every penny spent for it.” 

2. Improved Database Functionality 

TouchPoint’s robust tools have addressed many of the church’s challenges. Registrations, a critical feature for Indiana Avenue’s numerous events, now operate seamlessly. The church uses registrations extensively for events like college retreats and children’s camps, which previously struggled with duplicate records and missing information. 

Christy emphasized how the registration system has simplified event management: 

“We do a lot of events, so registrations are huge for us, and [so is] having a system that works.” 

“The mobile app will be huge because it eliminates login issues, the biggest barrier to registrations,” Christy explained. “People can log in from their phones, reducing errors and creating a smoother experience.” 

3. Enhanced Data Management 

While database cleanliness remains an ongoing task, Christy has leveraged TouchPoint’s tools to make progress: 

“I do a lot of custom searches to clean up records. This allows me to review and archive the appropriate records.” 

The ability to archive outdated records has allowed Christy to focus on creating actionable, accurate data. Looking forward, she is excited about implementing Process Builder to automate repetitive tasks and save significant time for ministry staff. 

Lessons Learned 

Indiana Avenue’s journey with TouchPoint Software underscores several key insights for churches managing similar transitions: 

1. Invest In Training: Christy has taken it upon herself to create a 100-page training manual and recorded Teams meetings for staff to revisit instructions and tutorials. Although resources are available through TouchPoint, this is a church-specific training manual that allows staff to physically flip through resources to find exactly what they need.  

2. Designate A Point Person: One individual must own and oversee the database to ensure consistency and support for other staff. Christy has taken this role at Indiana Avenue, ensuring that all staff members have a go-to resource for questions or guidance. 

3. Connect With Others: Churches can benefit from networking with others using the same system for shared tips and support. Christy regularly collaborates with other churches to share best practices and insights. 

Christy also shared the value of attending TouchPoint Summit, an annual user’s conference that brings church leaders together to learn, network, and collaborate: 

“Summit is a great mix of breakout sessions and connecting with other churches. I always leave with practical takeaways and new relationships that help us use TouchPoint more effectively.” 

She highlighted the benefit of learning from other users’ experiences, exploring advanced features, and engaging in discussions that inspire new ways to maximize the system. 

The Impact 

TouchPoint has transformed how Indiana Avenue Baptist Church manages its data and operations. Beyond the technical improvements, the partnership-oriented approach has fostered trust and collaboration. 

“TouchPoint is not a bad word in our church,” Christy noted with a smile, contrasting it with their previous system that left staff frustrated. “TouchPoint is good about responding. Even if they can’t do something, I at least feel heard, which is important.” 

TouchPoint’s modern and user-friendly interface has significantly reduced staff complaints and streamlined operations. For example, the church has seen a noticeable improvement in communication efficiency through saved searches and targeted messaging. 

Looking ahead, Christy and her team are excited to implement new features and continue refining their processes. The journey is ongoing, but with TouchPoint as a partner, Indiana Avenue Baptist Church is well-equipped to grow and thrive. 

Conclusion 

Indiana Avenue Baptist’s experience with TouchPoint Software highlights the power of a comprehensive church management system paired with a genuine partnership approach. For churches navigating similar challenges, Christy’s story serves as both inspiration and a practical guide. Investing in the right tools, training, and relationships can make all the difference in supporting ministry goals. 

Ready to evaluate your church database and church giving software like Indiana Avenue Baptist? 
Contact us to learn how TouchPoint Church Management Software can help your ministry thrive!

Managing your church database software system effectively is key to maintaining meaningful connections with your congregation. In this video, we walk you through how to disable the automatic creation of tasks when new people are added to your TouchPoint database. While this feature can be useful, we understand that it might not align with every church’s processes. That’s why we show you how to turn it off and introduce alternative strategies for tracking and managing new records in your church database software.

Discover how to:

• Disable “New People Task” in the TouchPoint church database system.
• Use the People Search page for efficient filtering and management.
• Create saved searches to customize your approach to new records.
• Integrate new records into a streamlined process for personalized outreach.

Whether you’re welcoming new members with a visit, phone call, an invitation to a small group or orientation class, this tutorial equips you with the tools to adapt TouchPoint to your church’s needs. Watch the video now and simplify your workflows today!

For more tips and tricks utilizing TouchPoint’s Church Management Software, visit our YouTube Playlist.

Connect With Our Consulting Team

Would you like to learn more about database cleanliness? Email our consulting team at [email protected] to schedule a session and learn more about managing members and tidying up your database. Together, we can help your ministry thrive!

Considering TouchPoint For Your Church?

Not yet a TouchPoint partner? Schedule a demo today by filling out this form to connect to one of our team members. This is one of many ways TouchPoint’s powerful church management software can uniquely support your ministry’s needs. 

The start of a new year is the perfect time to refresh and refocus. What better way to begin than by ensuring your church database is clean and organized? At TouchPoint, we’re dedicated to helping churches maintain accurate, efficient, and effective church database systems. We are kicking off this month with managing members.

We are focusing on database cleanliness and sharing practical tips to help your team keep your church management software running smoothly. Our latest TouchPointer video highlights key tools and strategies that simplify data cleanup tasks.

For example, you can:

• Identify and update outdated member statuses.
• Correct missing or incorrect fields like gender, marital status, or family positions.
• Streamline engagement scores and other reporting tools with accurate, up-to-date records.

A clean database doesn’t just make your systems easier to manage—it enhances how your church connects and engages with those within your church. By maintaining database cleanliness, you will set your church up for success in 2025 and beyond.

For more tips and tricks utilizing TouchPoint’s Church Management Software, visit our YouTube Playlist.

Connect With Our Consulting Team

Ready to take full advantage of the prayer wall? Email our consulting team at [email protected] to schedule a setup session and learn more about managing members and tidying up your database. Together, we can help your ministry thrive!

Considering TouchPoint For Your Church?

Not yet a TouchPoint partner? Schedule a demo today by filling out this form to connect to one of our team members. This is one of many ways TouchPoint’s powerful church management software can uniquely support your ministry’s prayer needs. 

The Christmas season has passed, leaving church staff members with full hearts and likely full schedules. While the holiday hustle may have slowed, the new year ushers in an exciting opportunity to deepen connections within your congregation and reach out to new guests. However, no matter how great your intentions are, a cluttered or outdated church database can hinder your efforts. As your church family grows, a clean and organized church database becomes helpful and essential. Here are some practical tips for maintaining a clean database and ensuring it remains a powerful tool for ministry. 

Why A Clean Database Matters 

Your database is the backbone of your church’s outreach and engagement efforts. It helps you: 

• Follow up with first-time guests promptly. 

• Celebrate and communicate effectively with your volunteers. 

• Encourage members and attendees to take the next step in their faith journey, such as joining a small group, being baptized, or serving. 

• Equip your leadership team with accurate reports for informed decision-making. 

Without accurate and up-to-date data, these goals become much harder to achieve. Imagine sending a volunteer recognition message to someone who hasn’t served in years or missing the chance to invite a guest back simply because their contact details were incorrectly recorded. Clean data ensures your communication is timely, relevant, and impactful. 

Tips For Keeping Your Church Database Clean 

1. Start the Year With A Data Audit 

Set aside time in January to audit your church database. Focus on identifying and resolving issues like: 

• Duplicate records 

• Outdated or incorrect contact information 

• Incomplete member profiles 

• Inactive records 

To make the process manageable, divide the audit into smaller tasks—for example, tackling one category of data (e.g., email addresses) each week. 

2. Empower Your Team 

Database management shouldn’t fall solely on one person. Train your team and volunteers on how to input and update data correctly. Consistent practices across the board will help prevent errors from piling up over time. 

3. Set Clear Data Entry Standards 

Develop guidelines for how data should be entered. For instance: 

• Use consistent naming conventions (capitalizing first and last names). 

• Standardize abbreviations and address formatting. 

• Ensure new records always include essential information like phone numbers and email addresses. 

These small habits can have a big impact on the quality of your data. 

4. Leverage Technology 

Use church software tools to streamline and automate database maintenance. For example: 

• A system duplicate-finder can quickly identify and merge duplicate records. 

• Automated data validation reports can flag incomplete or inconsistent entries. 

If your current church management system doesn’t offer these capabilities, consider exploring platforms that provide robust data management features. 

5. Incorporate Database Maintenance Into Regular Workflow 

Make data cleanliness an ongoing priority by scheduling regular updates. For example: 

• Review and update member profiles quarterly. 

• Check in with ministry leaders monthly to ensure volunteer and group member records are accurate. 

• Run a new-guests report every Monday to confirm that their profile information is entered in correctly. 

6. Engage Your Church 

Encourage your church to keep their profiles up to date. You can do this by: 

• This includes a quick data update request during service announcements for any changes to emails or addresses. This will aid in sending out timely statements.

• Sending periodic emails with a link to review and update their contact information. 

• Offering kiosks or stations during events where members can verify their details. 

Avoiding The Overwhelm: Tackling The Backlog 

If your church database has not been maintained, cleaning it up can feel daunting. Here’s how to avoid getting bogged down: 

• Prioritize By Impact: Start with the data categories that most affect your ministry—like contact information for active attendees or records of first-time guests. 

• Ask For Help: Recruit a team of staff members or volunteers to tackle the project together. Even a few extra hands can make a big difference. 

• Celebrate Progress: Cleaning your database is a significant achievement! Celebrate milestones along the way to keep your team motivated. 

Meet People Where They Are 

January is a season of new beginnings. Many people in your community are setting resolutions, looking for deeper purpose, or seeking connection. Your church can be ready to meet them where they are. Here are some ways to meet your community where they are:

• Send personalized follow-ups that make guests feel valued. 

• Recognize and appreciate the contributions of your new and existing volunteers. 

• Proactively invite members to take their next steps in faith and service. 

Ready To Take The Next Step? 

While these tips can help you maintain a clean church database, having the right tools can make the process more efficient and less stressful. Platforms like TouchPoint Software are designed to simplify database management and help churches like yours focus more on ministry and less on admin work. Whether or not you’re ready to make a church management software (ChMS) change, implementing the above practices will set you and your church community up for a successful year of outreach and engagement. 

A clean church database is more than just a tool; it’s a ministry enabler. By investing time in maintaining accurate data, you’re investing in the growth and health of your church family. Tackle this today, and watch how clean data can help your church THRIVE in ’25! 

TouchPoint’s January Webinar with Brad Leeper

Date: January 30th
Time: 2pm CST

Host: Morgan Mudge, Vice President of TouchPoint

Guest: Brad Leeper, Founder of Ministry Essentials

Brad Leeper is the founder of Ministry Essentials, an organization dedicated to helping churches and ministries create a thriving culture of generosity and stewardship. With over 30 years of experience in financial stewardship, Brad has devoted his career to equipping churches and nonprofits to achieve their God-given missions through effective giving strategies.

On January 30th, Brad will join Morgan Mudge, Vice President of TouchPoint, for an insightful webinar designed to provide church leaders with practical tools to enhance their mission and stewardship efforts.

Our Speakers