We are incredibly excited to introduce you to TouchPoint Software’s new and improved Registration Form. These enhancements are designed to make your church’s registration process smoother, more intuitive, and more efficient. This update is scheduled for release on Wednesday night, August 28.
What’s New?
Quick Sign In
Forget remembering long passwords. Now, all you need is your phone number to quickly sign in, simplifying the registration process for everyone.
Conditional Logic
Enhance your registration forms with conditional logic. Guide registrants through a series of questions that appear based on their previous answers, creating a streamlined, choose-your-own-adventure experience.
Question Level Add to Involvement
You can now automatically add people to specific Registration Form Involvements based on their answers to certain questions, ensuring they are immediately connected to the right activities.
Question Level Add to Meeting
Similarly, you can add individuals to guest lists for upcoming meetings directly from their responses, making organization effortless.
Easy to Find Registration Link
Access and copy the Registration Link directly from the Registration Tab without any hassle.
Drag & Drop Question Ordering
Reordering questions is now a breeze with the drag-and-drop feature, allowing you to customize your forms quickly.
Standardized Shirt Sizes and Medications
Standardizing t-shirt sizes and medications in your Lookup Codes means less manual entry. Registrants’ sizes and medications will auto-populate for future registrations, making the process quicker and more accurate.
Customizable Notification Email
Notify everyone who needs to know about new registrations instantly and include any necessary custom messages.
Kiosk Mode
Enable registrations on a shared tablet in communal spaces with ease.
Access Code
Keep registrations closed while still allowing individual entries with access codes. Perfect for last-minute additions without reopening the registration to everyone.
Important Notes
- Disabling One Page Forms
We will disable the creation of additional One Page Forms at the end of August 2024 as our new Registration Forms will replace them. Existing One Page Forms will still be usable and searchable. - Legacy Registration Types
Our goal is for the new Registration Forms to eventually replace all other registration types. For any new registrations you create, we recommend trying a Registration Form instead of a Join Involvement, User Selects, or Compute By Birthdate registration. If you would like us to disable the creation of any new legacy registration types, contact Support, and they can disable them for your church’s database.
The special purpose registration types, such as Record Family Attendance and Mission Trips, will be replaced in a future update of Registration Forms. - Shell Modifications
If you have created a custom registration shell or modified any existing shells, make sure the CSS is in the body, rather than the header. Check out the Standard Shells for Online Registrations help article for examples that will work correctly. - Future Updates
More Registration Form features are coming later this year, including a tool to convert existing registrations into the new format without losing any history.
Documentation and training videos will be available next week!
Mark your calendars for this Thursday! Time is running out to secure your spot for our “Christmas in July” webinar on July 25th at 2 PM CST. Join us and discover invaluable tips on how to use your church management software for efficient Christmas planning.
Webinar Details:
- Date and Time: July 25th, 2 PM CST
- Speakers: Cody Binder and Sarah Cavanaugh from TouchPoint Software
- Key Topics: Utilizing your Church Management Software for Christmas Planning
Key Strategies for Christmas Planning:
- Using Involvements
- Checklists
- Volunteer Sign-Ups and Schedulers
- Marketing
- Mobile App
- Other Creative Ways to Use Your Church Software This Season
Register Today!
Get a head start on your Christmas planning! Join our “Christmas In July” webinar on July 25th at 2 PM CST and learn from the experts. Register Now!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Replay Our Latest Webinar!
Visit our Webinar Page to see the latest information on our upcoming webinar!
It’s never too early to start preparing for Christmas, especially when it comes to managing the various aspects of church activities. Join us for our upcoming “Christmas in July” webinar on July 25th at 2 PM CST. This webinar is designed to help church leaders and staff use their church management software effectively to streamline their holiday planning.
Webinar Details:
- Date and Time: July 25th, 2 PM CST
- Speakers: Cody Binder and Sarah Cavanaugh from TouchPoint Software
- Key Topics: Utilizing your Church Management Software for Christmas planning
Key Strategies for Christmas Planning:
- Using Involvements
- Checklists
- Volunteer Sign-Ups and Schedulers
- Marketing
- Mobile App
Other Creative Ways to Use Your Church Software This Christmas Season:
- Event Registration: Simplify the process for churchgoers to sign up for special Christmas events and services.
- Communication Tools: Automate emails and text messages to keep everyone informed about upcoming events and important dates.
- Resource Management: Track all your Christmas resources, from decorations to service materials, and ensure everything is accounted for.
- Attendance Tracking: Monitor attendance at Christmas events to understand engagement and plan for future events more effectively.
- Donations and Fundraising: Set up and manage Christmas-specific fundraising campaigns, making it easy for congregants to contribute.
Why Start Now?
Planning for Christmas can be time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. By starting early and utilizing the tools available in your church management software, you can make the process enjoyable for your staff and ensure nothing is left to the last minute.
Who Should Attend?
This webinar is perfect for church leaders, administration staff, communications teams, production crews, and worship leaders. Whether you’re already using church database software or looking for ways to improve your Christmas setup, this session is for you.
Register Today!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get a head start on your Christmas planning. Join our Zoom webinar on July 25th at 2 PM CST and learn from the experts. Register Now!
Not Yet A Part Of The TouchPoint Family?
Schedule a free demo from one of our friendly team members, schedule a demo!
Missed Last Month’s Webinar?
You can watch our past webinars on YouTube in our Webinars playlist!
Hey TouchPoint Friends,
This is a reminder about our roundtable event tomorrow, July 16th, at 2 p.m. We are excited to have a community discussion about summer reset strategies and getting ready for Fall. Whether you are working with small groups, planning kids’ graduations, or organizing events, we have some great ideas to share on utilizing your church software to make a great transition into this next busy season!
Join Us Tomorrow
Our hosts, Andrew and Sarah, will kick things off at 2 PM on July 16th. This roundtable is a great chance to sync up and ensure we are all set for the upcoming seasons. Your insights are valuable; we cannot wait to hear your thoughts. Let’s make this a productive and fun session together.
Reminder For Our Christmas in July Webinar
Also, mark your calendars for our Christmas on July 25th at 2 PM. We will discuss some exciting strategies for getting the most out of your Christmas season planning and execution.
Looking forward to catching up tomorrow at 2 PM for our roundtable!
Join us tomorrow, June 27th, at 2 PM CST for our Q2 New Features Webinar, hosted by Chris Dolan and Hayley Whitworth. This informative session will cover the latest updates, including new mobile app features, finance changes, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and enhance your church operations with our latest tools and strategies. Plus, we’ll be giving a special send-off to Chris Dolan as he concludes his time at TouchPoint.
Register now to ensure you don’t miss out on these exciting updates!
Hi, friends!
Summit is fast approaching! This year’s event will take place from Tuesday, September 17th through Thursday, September 19th in beautiful Alabama, and it’s shaping up to be our most exciting Summit yet.
This year’s event will be packed with insightful sessions, networking opportunities, and plenty of inspiration. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a Summit veteran, there will be something for everyone to enjoy and learn from.
But that’s not all! We are excited to share that we have already surpassed last year’s registration numbers and are on the brink of a major milestone! To make it even more exciting, we’re introducing two fun giveaways:
1. We only need four more people to register to hit 200 participants before July 1st! The 200th person who registers will win a stylish pair of Goodr Sunglasses, perfect for enjoying the Alabama sunshine during Summit! So, don’t wait—register now to secure your spot and possibly become our special 200th registrant.
2. Interested in refreshing one of your Check-In kiosks? On July 1st we will do a drawing to give away a 10th Generation iPad! Everyone who is registered before July 1st will be entered to win!
Summit is not just an event; it’s an opportunity to connect with fellow church partners, share best practices, and grow together. We can’t wait to celebrate this achievement with you and make this Summit an unforgettable experience.
Ready to join us? Head over to summit.touchpointsoftware.com to learn more and register today! Remember, only four spots are left to hit our milestone, so hurry for your chance to win those fantastic Goodr Sunglasses and to get your name added to the
We look forward to seeing you in Alabama this September!
Blessings,
In our March New Features Webinar, we discussed the new Translations feature available in TouchPoint. The initial release included the ability to translate English word/phrases and the groundwork to add new languages. We are excited to announce that our recent update enabled Spanish translations!
Users can switch languages in TouchPoint by clicking on the Earth icon in the top right of the menu bar and then selecting English or Spanish from the Available Languages section.
To modify any of the translations, an Admin can navigate to Admin > Advanced > Translations and make any necessary changes.
More languages will be added in the near future. If you have requests for specific languages, please let us know!
In 2022, we introduced several Grade and Promotion updates to better serve our partner churches. Here’s a summary of the key changes and how they can benefit your church:
New Grade Level Dropdown
We’ve added a Grade Level dropdown in Involvement and people records. This feature includes standard grade levels and allows you to add custom levels using Lookup Codes. To enable new levels, simply change the setting named Allow New Grade Levels (Admin > Advanced > Settings > System > Administration) to True. Reports that include Grade have also been updated to reflect this new Grade field.
Automatic Grade Promotion
We introduced a new admin setting called Grade Update Date. This setting automatically promotes each child’s Grade Level annually. The default promotion date is set to July 1st, but you can customize it to match your church’s annual promotion schedule. Note: If you select a date prior to today, the promotion will be skipped for this year.
Legacy Grade Field
Another new admin setting, Hide Grade Legacy, allows you to hide the legacy Grade field once it’s no longer needed. Please note that we will disable the legacy Grade field for all partner churches in July 2024 if it hasn’t been done already.
As you prepare for Vacation Bible School and other summer and fall registrations, please keep the following in mind:
- Check Your Grade Update Date: Ensure this setting aligns with your church’s promotion timeline.
- Consider Registration Timing: When including the Grade question in an Involvement, consider the timing of registration versus when the Grade will be automatically updated. For example, if a registrant states they will be in 11th grade in the fall and the update happens after, they may be promoted twice.
- Adding New Members: When adding new members to your database and then to a Main Fellowship Involvement with a Grade populated on the Settings > General tab, this Grade will be added to their record. However, it won’t affect existing records with a Grade.
For more detailed information, please refer to these help articles:
Grade Field
Grade
Administrative Settings
We are honored to partner with remarkable leaders who inspire and guide their congregations with unwavering faith. Today, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Pastor Clint Pressley and Dr. D.J. Horton on their recent elections to significant leadership roles within the Southern Baptist Convention. These prestigious positions are a testament to their dedication, vision, and impact on the community.
Pastor Clint Pressley: Southern Baptist Convention President
Pastor Clint Pressley, Senior Pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). This role, one of the highest honors within the SBC, signifies his commitment and leadership in guiding one of the largest Protestant denominations in the United States. Pressley’s election, following a second runoff at the SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis, highlights his peers’ trust in his ability to lead.
Under Pastor Pressley’s guidance, Hickory Grove Baptist Church has grown significantly, known for its strong emphasis on biblical teaching and community outreach. His leadership extends beyond his local congregation, impacting broader church policies and direction. As President, Pastor Pressley will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the SBC, addressing contemporary issues, and fostering unity among the diverse congregations within the convention.
Dr. D.J. Horton: 2025 Pastors’ Conference President
Dr. D.J. Horton, Senior Pastor of The Church at The Mill in Spartanburg, South Carolina, has been elected as the 2025 SBC Pastors’ Conference President. This role involves planning and leading the annual Pastors’ Conference, an event that provides spiritual renewal and professional development for pastors across the nation. Dr. Horton’s election follows a competitive runoff and underscores his peers’ respect and admiration for his leadership and vision.
Dr. Horton’s tenure at The Church at The Mill has been marked by remarkable growth and expansion, transforming the congregation from 600 members to over 4,000 across multiple campuses. His commitment to biblical exposition and pastoral care has left a lasting impact on his community. Additionally, his involvement in various leadership roles within the SBC, including the South Carolina Sexual Abuse Task Force and trustee positions at theological seminaries, demonstrates his dedication to the broader mission of the church.
Partnering for God’s Kingdom
At TouchPoint Software, we are immensely proud to support Pastor Clint Pressley, Dr. D.J. Horton, and their respective churches. Their leadership and commitment to spreading God’s word are inspiring, and we are honored to partner with them in extending God’s kingdom. Congratulations once again to these outstanding pastors on their well-deserved achievements.
For more information, visit:
- SBC 2024: Clint Pressley Elected SBC President
- SBC 2024: D.J. Horton Elected 2025 Pastors’ Conference President
- Clint Pressley Elected SBC President in Indianapolis
- D.J. Horton Elected 2025 Pastors’ Conference President
The June release was deployed Monday night, June 10. This includes new features and updates to existing features.
Finance Updates
The biggest update in this release is the completion of Phase 3 of the finance changes that we’ve been talking about for several months. This phase includes the new, improved Transactions Report that combines the current Contributions Search and Transactions Log. This new report will be released into beta initially, so most churches will not see it on their database. After further testing, we plan to make it available to everyone.
The following items will be visible to all churches immediately:
- There are 3 new Account-based roles available. These are similar to the current Fund-based finance roles, but note that these apply only to the new report (mentioned above) that is not available yet. Once this report is made live, you will have the ability to grant more granular access to people based on fund (using current roles) or account code (using the new roles listed below).
- ManageTransactions – This allows someone to see and manage all “non-contribution” transactions, unless the user also has the AccountManager role, in which case only transactions for those account codes will be visible.
- ViewTransactions – This is similar to ManageTransactions, but only lets someone view (not manage) all “non-contribution” transactions, unless the user also has the AccountManager role, in which case only transactions for those account codes will be visible. A user with this role cannot add transactions on the Member Dialog in an Involvement.
- AccountManager – This is used in conjunction with the ManageTransactions and ViewTransactions roles. It is a limiting role which signals that the user has an account-based finance role and limits the account codes that user sees based on the other roles the user has. This works like the FundManager role. If a user has this role, they can only select the visible Account codes based on their other roles in an Involvement.
- The Account Codes page now has a new dropdown menu to select the appropriate account management role for each account code.
- For churches using TouchPoint Giving, there is a new ACH Reversal Email template that is automatically sent to the donor whenever their ACH payment is reversed, along with the reason. NOTE: The church admin should update this template to add the following church contact information to the template.
- Contact Name
- Contact Phone Number
- Contact Email Address
- Changes made to pledges on the pledge management page are now tracked in the Contribution Change Log.
- The following updates have been made to the Batch Entry to make adding and managing contribution entries as easy as possible.
- When a new person is added for a scanned check, the check image will now appear on all screens of the process.
- There is an admin setting that can be enabled to show a person’s campus code when searching to add someone to a contribution.
- There is a new Post Contribution Pledge Funds admin setting that will allow you to specify the fund ID of funds that you want to see pledges/pledge balances for on a person’s record when searching to associate a person to a contribution.
- People ID’s less than 5 digits now pull into the People Search.
- Registration Credits has been updated to work similarly to Soft Credits and the following changes have been made.
- Error messages will be displayed if the user does not select a registrant or if a registrant is not in the selected Involvement.
- A green dot will display after the donor’s name if a contribution has a registration credit associated with it. This is similar to the blue dot that displays for Soft Credits. The Registration Credit checkbox will be checked and the section will be expanded if the contribution is opened for editing.
- When the Registration Credit section is expanded on a contribution that previously had that information entered, the registrant will display.
- Once a contribution has been saved with a Registration Credit, no changes can be made to the Registration Credit information and no further adjustment transactions can be created if that contribution is saved after editing other information.
- Users with the FinanceAdmin role can manually delete adjustment transactions, including those created because of a Registration Credit on a contribution.
- Donor Total Summary Report Updates
- This report will now show consistent results between tabs for units and amount by date.
- The new menu will display this report based on the same security restrictions that the old menu used.
- Several updates were made to Soft Credits to make them even easier to use.
- A blue dot has been added to items on a person’s Giving tab if the item is a Soft Credit.
- Header column sorting has been added to the Soft Credit section on a person’s Giving tab.
- Two new Search Builder Conditions have been added to specifically find people with Soft Credits.
- Soft Credit Recipient Number of Days – Enter the numbers of days to look back, Fund ID (or leave blank for all funds) and specify True or False to find any Soft Credit recipients.
- Soft Credit Recipient Date Range – Enter the date range, Fund ID (or leave blank for all funds) and specify True or False to find any Soft Credit recipients.
- When a finance user transfers gifts from deceased person to their surviving spouse, any associated soft credits will now move as well.
- Check images will now be available on a person’s giving tab for finance users to quickly reference.
- The following miscellaneous fixes/updates have been made related to the finance area.
- When completing an ACH reversals all the relevant information is now included.
- When processing a refund through TouchPoint, it will now go into the correct batch.
- Voided transactions will now automatically be removed from the pending batch.
- Voids that are processed on the TouchPoint Giving gateway will now show in the settlement report.
- On the pledge search page, the number of families field now reflects all filtered results.
- Credits that are processed on the TouchPoint Giving gateway will now show in correct settlement batch.
The following miscellaneous changes will also be included in the release:
- The Quick Sign-in settings have been adjusted to separate cell and email into two separate options for each church.
- If a donor that is associated with a PushPay gift is re-assigned, then the donor ID is now moved to the new record.
- The expiration on the Get Sub Link on the Volunteer Calendar has been extended from 3 to 7 days.
In addition to the above finance and other miscellaneous changes, several items related to the New Registrations have been addressed. The new registrations are in beta with several churches, and we are working hard to put the new forms through rigorous testing so that they can be made available for all churches as soon as possible.
Here are the updated items:
- The settings tab on involvements using the new forms, has been completely re-designed and reorganized.
- Setting up new questions no longer requires an open pledge fund
- Questions where options have reached their limit will now be grayed out if the limits have been reached upon page load
- We now verify limits for all question on the final checkout screen
- Unchecking “show” will now uncheck “required” on personal questions
- Email template renamed and updated to remove erroneous question marks
- Adding new person not in family shows blank address now
- Better cell phone formatting
- When adding someone to a meeting, the person is now added as attending
- If a new person is added under the age of 18, then they are added as a child
- Processing Fee works with Suggested Fee Question
- Registration Terms has been updated to show terms file name
- Registration now respect checkbox for whether address is required
- A user’s info no longer can be cashed into form
- When registering a child (non-logged-in), duplicates are not created if phone or email matches one of the parents
- Registrations now show in the app based on existing settings
We are excited for our upcoming webinar, “Getting Staff On Board & Keeping Them On Board,” hosted by TouchPoint Software. This insightful event is scheduled for May 30th at 2 PM CST. You can join us via the following link: Webinar Registration.
Our friends, Jessica Siri from RockPointe Church and TouchPoint’s Marketing Director, Hayley Whitworth, will guide you through essential strategies for successful staff adoption and ongoing support of church management systems. The webinar will cover:
- Understanding and navigating change
- Effective project management
- Engaging and lasting staff training
- Overcoming common obstacles
This session is a must-attend for anyone involved in church management, especially those looking to improve their staff’s engagement with your church management system. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your church’s operations and foster a supportive environment for your team.
Join Our Webinar
Register now to reserve your spot today and ensure your staff is fully equipped to embrace and support your church management system.
Today, technology changes daily, and churches must decide whether to keep old systems or switch to modern ones. Our program works perfectly on computers and phones. It makes managing your church easier and helps you connect better with your congregation.
The Shift from Legacy to Modernization
Legacy systems used to be essential for church management, but now they are outdated, like rotary phones or dial-up internet. These systems can slow you down and stop you from growing. Our church management software helps your church run smoothly and keeps your data safe in the cloud. This means you don’t have to worry about constant updates or losing information.
Legacy systems often have many problems. They can be slow, hard to use, and require a lot of maintenance. They might also lack important features that modern churches need, like mobile access and real-time updates. By switching to a new system, you can avoid these issues and focus more on your church’s mission.
Key Features of Modern Church Management
1. Cloud-Based Flexibility and Security
Our cloud storage keeps your data safe and grows with your community. Cloud storage means your information is stored online instead of on local computers. This ensures that your data is always accessible and secure. You won’t have to worry about losing data due to computer crashes or other issues. Cloud solutions also mean you are always using the most up-to-date software without performing manual updates. This lets your church focus on its mission instead of dealing with technical problems.
2. Mobile Integration
As highlighted in our webinar, “Creating a Unified Experience with ChMS, Websites & Mobile,” mobile technology is changing ministry by allowing real-time updates and interactions feeding from your database system to your website and to your mobile app as an all-in-one ecosystem. Our mobile app keeps your church members connected, whether they are at home or on the go. This means churchgoers can check schedules, sign up for events, and stay updated with church news from their phones. Mobile integration ensures that everyone stays connected and informed, which can help build a stronger sense of community. It also makes it easier for people to participate in church activities, no matter where they are.
3. Elevated Process and Communication Tools
Our tools make connecting and welcoming new members easier. Personalized communication helps every church member feel cared for, supporting their spiritual growth and building community. With our system, you can send targeted messages to different groups within your church, such as new members, volunteers, or parents. This ensures that everyone receives the information relevant to them. You can also track interactions and follow up with people who might need extra support, helping to foster a more connected and supportive church community.
4. Real-Time Data for Proactive Discipleship
You set the rules for how your church engages. Staff and leaders get alerts to help members who might be drifting away. This helps keep everyone involved and ensures no one feels forgotten. Real-time data allows you to see how members interact with the church and identify those who might need extra attention. For example, if someone hasn’t attended services or events for a while, you can reach out and check in on them. This proactive approach can help retain members and ensure everyone feels valued and supported.
5. Efficient Task Management and Reporting
Our system makes managing tasks simple. The mobile app lets leaders and volunteers track their activities easily. Every interaction is recorded and can be reviewed later. This helps staff manage discipleship paths and member involvement. Efficient task management ensures that everyone knows what they need to do and can easily keep track of their responsibilities. It also makes it easier to generate reports and see how different areas of the church are performing. This information can help you make informed decisions and improve church operations.
Conclusion
Leaving old systems behind is a big step towards making your church’s operations future-ready. Our software offers an integrated, secure, and mobile-friendly solution that improves all parts of church management. By using our modern system, your church can eliminate complicated processes and focus more on what really matters—building a strong and engaged community.
Old systems may have served you well in the past, but they can no longer meet the needs of a growing, modern church. Embracing new technology can help you streamline your operations, improve communication, and engage your congregation more effectively. It can also free up time and resources, allowing you to focus more on your ministry and less on administrative tasks.
Our church management software is designed to support you in this transition. It provides all the tools you need to manage your church efficiently and effectively. From cloud-based storage to mobile integration, our system is built to meet the needs of today’s churches. It offers a user-friendly interface, robust security features, and the flexibility to grow with your community.
Embrace the future with TouchPoint Software!
Discover our features, see our impact, and join us in transforming church management. Schedule a demo today to see how we can help modernize your ministry for today’s world. By making the switch, you can ensure that your church is well-equipped to meet future challenges and continue to thrive in an ever-changing world.