Church Technology Glossary
Plain-language definitions for the terms you'll encounter when choosing, setting up, and using church software.
A
ACH (Automated Clearing House)
ACH is an electronic bank-to-bank payment network used to process donations directly from a giver's checking or savings account. ACH transfers typically have lower processing fees than credit cards, making them a cost-effective option for churches that accept online giving.
Online giving guideAPI (Application Programming Interface)
An API is a set of rules that lets different software systems communicate with each other. Churches encounter APIs when connecting their ChMS to tools like accounting software, email providers, or website platforms so data flows automatically between systems.
B
Background Check
A background check is a screening process used to verify the criminal history, identity, and qualifications of volunteers and staff. Many churches require background checks for anyone working with children or vulnerable populations to ensure a safe ministry environment.
Batch Giving
Batch giving is the process of grouping multiple donations together into a single entry for processing and reconciliation. Church administrators often batch cash and check offerings received during a service, then enter them into the ChMS at once for faster bookkeeping.
Online giving guideBenevolence Fund
A benevolence fund is a designated account churches use to help members and community members in financial need. Donors can contribute to the fund, and church leaders distribute assistance for rent, utilities, medical bills, and other needs on a case-by-case basis.
C
Check-In System
A check-in system is software (often paired with a kiosk or tablet) that tracks attendance for services, children's ministry, events, and classes. It prints name tags, alerts parents via security codes, and gives church leaders accurate attendance data.
ChMS (Church Management Software)
Church Management Software is a digital platform that helps churches manage their congregation, finances, communications, events, and volunteers from one centralized system. A ChMS replaces spreadsheets, paper records, and disconnected tools with an integrated solution.
Complete ChMS guideChurch App
A church app is a mobile application that gives members on-the-go access to sermon recordings, event calendars, giving, group sign-ups, and push notifications. Many ChMS platforms include a built-in church app so members can engage from their phone.
Connect Card
A connect card (also called a visitor card or communication card) is a digital or printed form that visitors and members fill out to share contact information, prayer requests, or interest in serving. Digital connect cards feed data directly into the ChMS for follow-up.
Contribution Statement
A contribution statement is an official summary of a donor's tax-deductible gifts over a period, typically a calendar year. Churches generate these statements from their ChMS and send them to donors for tax-filing purposes, often automatically at year-end.
Online giving guideD
Dashboard
A dashboard is a visual summary screen inside a ChMS that displays key metrics at a glance — such as attendance trends, giving totals, upcoming events, and recent activity. Dashboards help church leaders make data-informed decisions without running manual reports.
ChMS guideDigital Bulletin
A digital bulletin is an electronic version of the traditional printed church bulletin. It can include service order, announcements, sermon notes, and interactive links. Digital bulletins reduce printing costs, reach members who attend online, and can be updated in real time.
Digital bulletin guideDigital Giving
Digital giving is the umbrella term for any non-cash donation method — including online giving pages, mobile apps, text-to-give, and kiosk giving. Offering digital giving options helps churches reach members who no longer carry cash or checkbooks.
Online giving guideE
E-Bulletin
An e-bulletin is a weekly email newsletter that serves the same purpose as a printed bulletin. It contains announcements, event reminders, sermon links, and calls-to-action. E-bulletins are easy to track (open rates, click rates) and cost nothing to distribute.
Digital bulletin guideEngagement Rate
Engagement rate measures how actively members interact with church communications, events, and activities. A ChMS can calculate engagement scores based on attendance frequency, giving history, group participation, and email interaction to help leaders identify members who may need outreach.
Event Management
Event management in a church context refers to the tools and workflows for creating, promoting, and tracking events — from weekly services to VBS to conferences. Features typically include online registration, capacity limits, automated reminders, and attendance tracking.
F
Fund Designation
Fund designation allows donors to direct their gift to a specific purpose — such as the general fund, building fund, missions, or benevolence. A ChMS tracks designated funds separately so the church can report on each fund's balance and activity.
Online giving guideG
Giving Page
A giving page is a dedicated web page (hosted on the church's website or through a ChMS) where donors can make online contributions. A well-designed giving page is mobile-friendly, branded to the church, and allows one-time or recurring gifts to multiple funds.
Online giving guideGiving Statement
A giving statement is a periodic record of all donations an individual or household has made to the church. Churches issue giving statements quarterly or annually for donor records and tax compliance. Most ChMS platforms generate and email these automatically.
Groups / Small Groups
Groups (or small groups) are smaller gatherings of church members who meet regularly for Bible study, prayer, fellowship, or service. A ChMS helps churches create, manage, and promote groups, handle sign-ups, and track attendance and participation.
H
Household
In a church database, a household groups related individuals (typically a family) under a single record. This lets the church send one mailing per family, track family giving totals, and manage shared contact details without duplicating data.
K
Kiosk Giving
Kiosk giving uses a dedicated tablet or touchscreen in the church lobby where members can swipe a card or tap to donate. Kiosks serve members who prefer an in-person experience but don't carry cash, and they're especially welcoming for first-time visitors.
Online giving guideM
Merge Fields
Merge fields are placeholder tokens (like {first_name} or {giving_total}) inserted into email or SMS templates that are automatically replaced with each recipient's actual data when the message is sent. They allow churches to personalize mass communications at scale.
Communication guideMinistry Credits
Ministry Credits are a ChurchRaise-specific currency that churches use to access premium AI tools, advanced features, and add-on services within the platform. Every ChurchRaise account starts with 1,000 free credits, and additional credits can be earned or purchased.
O
Offering
An offering is a voluntary financial gift made to the church, typically collected during a worship service. In church technology, 'offering' often refers to the moment in the service when giving is facilitated — whether by passing a plate, displaying a QR code, or prompting digital giving.
Online Giving
Online giving enables donors to contribute to the church through a web-based form using a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. It's accessible 24/7 from any device, making it the most convenient giving method for most modern congregations.
Online giving guideP
PCI Compliance
PCI compliance (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a set of security standards that any organization handling credit card data must follow. Churches that accept online donations need a PCI-compliant payment processor to protect donor financial information.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Peer-to-peer fundraising empowers church members to create personal fundraising pages and solicit donations from their own networks on behalf of the church or a specific cause. It extends the church's reach beyond its existing congregation through personal relationships.
Grow giving guidePush Notification
A push notification is a short message sent directly to a member's phone through the church app, even when the app isn't open. Churches use push notifications for service reminders, event updates, prayer requests, and emergency communications.
Communication guideQ
QR Code
A QR code is a scannable barcode that links to a URL when photographed with a smartphone camera. Churches place QR codes in bulletins, on screens, and on signage to give members quick access to giving pages, event registration, connect cards, and more.
R
Recurring Giving
Recurring giving allows donors to set up automatic, scheduled donations (weekly, biweekly, or monthly) that process without manual action. It's the single most impactful feature for stabilizing church cash flow and typically increases total annual giving by 20–30%.
Online giving guideRSVP Management
RSVP management is the process of tracking event registrations, confirmations, and attendance through a ChMS or event tool. It helps churches plan for capacity, send targeted reminders, and follow up with no-shows or first-time attendees.
S
SMS / Text Messaging
SMS (Short Message Service) messaging allows churches to send text messages to members' phones for announcements, reminders, prayer chains, and follow-ups. Text messages have open rates above 95%, making them one of the most effective communication channels available.
Communication guideStewardship
Stewardship is the biblical principle of faithfully managing the resources God has entrusted to you. In church technology, stewardship programs often include giving campaigns, pledge tracking, financial education content, and reporting dashboards.
Grow giving guideT
Text-to-Give
Text-to-give lets donors send a text message to a dedicated church number to initiate a donation. After a one-time setup linking their payment method, members can give in seconds from their phone — especially useful during services.
Online giving guideTithe
A tithe is a donation of one-tenth of a person's income to the church, rooted in biblical teaching. In church software, tithe tracking is part of the giving module — allowing churches to record, receipt, and report on tithes alongside other offerings.
Grow giving guideTwo-Way Texting
Two-way texting enables real-time, back-and-forth text conversations between church staff and members. Unlike one-way broadcast texts, two-way texting supports personal follow-up, prayer support, and scheduling conversations from a shared church number.
Communication guideV
VBS (Vacation Bible School)
Vacation Bible School is a week-long summer program for children featuring Bible lessons, crafts, games, and music. Church software helps manage VBS registration, volunteer scheduling, child check-in, supply tracking, and parent communications.
Visitor Follow-Up
Visitor follow-up is the process of reaching out to first-time guests after they attend a service or event. A ChMS automates this with email sequences, task reminders for staff, and connect-card workflows so no visitor falls through the cracks.
ChMS guideVolunteer Scheduling
Volunteer scheduling is the process of assigning, confirming, and managing volunteers for services, events, and ministries. Church software lets leaders build rosters, send scheduling requests, handle swap requests, and track volunteer hours and availability.
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