In today’s ministry landscape, many churches are evolving how they plan and execute events. From large-scale productions to intimate ministry dinners, the need for streamlined, cost-effective ticketing solutions has never been greater. For medium to large churches, a thoughtful approach to Ticketing isn’t a logistical choice, it’s a ministry opportunity.
Why Ticketing Matters in Church Life
Ticketing might seem like a small detail, but it can have a big impact on how people engage with your church. Whether it’s ensuring a seamless check-in experience or helping your team prepare for the right number of guests, smart Ticketing supports both hospitality and stewardship. More than that, Ticketing can serve as a ministry tool by helping your team:
- Welcome First-Time Guests With Confidence
- Manage Capacity For Popular Events
- Encourage Early Registration And Commitment
- Track Attendance For Follow-Up And Discipleship
Use Cases Where Ticketing Shines
While not every church event requires a ticket, many benefit from it, here are a few scenarios where Ticketing helps elevate the experience:
- Concerts/Productions: Events like Bellevue Baptist Church’s Singing Christmas Tree use TouchPoint’s reserved seating to ensure community members have a smooth, welcoming experience from the moment they select their seats. For churches putting on multi-night performances, assigned seats can make the difference between chaos and celebration.
- Conferences And Seminars: Whether you’re hosting a marriage retreat or a leadership workshop, Ticketing ensures that guests know exactly where to go, how to check in, and what to expect.
- Fundraising Dinners Or Banquets: Table seating and assigned spots help create a sense of intention and hospitality. Churches can combine general admission and reserved seating to accommodate donors and attendees alike.
- Community Outreach Events: Events like movie nights, food drives, or local performances benefit from smooth, accessible Ticketing, especially if you’re reaching people outside your regular congregation.
When Ticketing May Be More Than You Need
Not every church event needs a formal Ticketing process. For informal gatherings like small group socials, potlucks, or drop-in prayer nights, over-structuring with tickets may hinder rather than help. When an RSVP or basic registration form will suffice, keep it simple to preserve a sense of welcome and flexibility.
Why Churches Should Rethink Third-Party Ticketing
Many churches default to well-known, mainstream Ticketing platforms. But these come with hidden challenges: high fees, siloed data, and cumbersome integrations that don’t always serve your ministry’s goals.
TouchPoint’s integrated Ticketing solution is designed with churches in mind. Instead of juggling separate tools or losing valuable attendee data, churches using TouchPoint Ticketing are able to do the following:
- Build Unlimited Custom Venues: Whether your sanctuary has fixed pews or your gym has flexible chairs, you can build venue plans directly inside your database—no third-party system needed.
- Combine Reserved Seating And General Admission: Customize each event for its unique needs, blending seating options to optimize hospitality and efficiency.
- Sell Tickets Online Or In-Person: Empower congregants to buy tickets from home or allow your front office to handle assisted ticket sales with cash, check, or card.
- Set Social Distancing Parameters: If necessary to implement a health safety protocol, churches can automatically block off adjacent seats and aisles to keep your attendees comfortable.
- Access Reporting And Follow-Up Tools In One Place: After the event, use attendance data to send thank-you notes, follow-up invitations, or discipleship resources.
Are You Spending Too Much On Ticketing?
Many churches don’t realize how much third-party Ticketing fees are eating into their event budgets. Here’s a quick mental audit:
- Do you pay a percentage per ticket plus a ticket fee plus a processing fee?
- Are you spending more than 3–5% of your total event revenue on ticketing?
- Is your team exporting/importing data just to follow up with attendees?
- Do attendees ever complain about confusion or friction during ticket purchase?
If you answered “yes” to more than two, it may be time to explore an integrated, cost-effective solution designed for churches.
When The Numbers Make Sense: A Cost Comparison
Let’s say your church is hosting a large event (like a concert, conference, or weekend seminar) and you’re charging $50 per ticket. Based on a recent analysis, TouchPoint Ticketing becomes more cost-effective than Eventbrite once you hit just 50 attendees and begins to outperform Brushfire around 100 attendees.
At 500 attendees, TouchPoint could save your church anywhere from $400 to over $1,000 in fees compared to Brushfire and Eventbrite. That’s not pocket change, that’s budget that could go back into ministry, staffing, or outreach.
And that’s only considering the surface-level costs.
TouchPoint’s real value shows up when you realize the Ticketing data stays within your existing church database. That means your team can follow up more effectively, segment audiences, and even track engagement over time, without exporting and importing from third-party tools.
It’s also worth noting that TouchPoint offers custom pricing for partner churches, making it even more competitive. Many platforms advertise a 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee as standard, but that adds up quickly—and TouchPoint’s integrated solution frequently beats that, especially at scale.
Pro Tip: Use Ticketing Data To Identify Ministry Opportunities
Ticketing Data Isn’t Only For Logistics:
- See Which Types Of Events Consistently Draw New Visitors
- Identify Repeat Attendees Who May Be Ready For A Deeper Connection
- Send Targeted Invites To Under-Engaged Groups (Like Young Adults Or New Parents)
By pairing attendance with personal follow-up, Ticketing becomes a discipleship strategy, not just a tool.
How TouchPoint Enhances The Ministry Behind The Event
TouchPoint goes beyond making events easier to manage. It enables churches to use event data as part of their discipleship journey. When someone attends a ticketed event, that attendance is already part of their engagement history in your church database.
Imagine this: A new couple attends a Christmas production. You already know their seat number, the night they attended, and the fact that they were first-time guests. That insight helps your team follow up with more intention—maybe a personalized note or invitation to your next newcomers’ lunch.
This kind of integration is what makes church management software a ministry tool, not just an administrative one.
A Tool For Today’s Church Ticketing Solutions
As churches continue to navigate digital transformation, Ticketing shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be intentional, ministry-minded, and designed to fit seamlessly within your existing ecosystem.
TouchPoint’s Ticketing solution is built to serve churches that are serious about creating excellent, welcoming events without sacrificing stewardship or community.
So, whether you’re planning a sold-out performance, a heartfelt fundraiser, or a packed-out seminar, the right Ticketing tool can help you elevate your ministry and better serve your people, one seat at a time.
Want to learn how your church can start building custom venues or simplify your next big event? We’re here to help. Are you a current TouchPoint Partner interested in Ticketing? Contact our Consulting Team for more information. Not a TouchPoint Partner yet, but open to exploring your options? Book a Demo to see for yourself the difference TouchPoint can make for your ministry!
