A Better Way to Stay Connected
Recently during a Sunday Worship Service, Joel shared that we have begun transitioning to a new software platform called Planning Center Online. This platform offers staff-facing database tools, including personal contact information, forms, and event planning functionalities. Additionally, it includes volunteer scheduling, giving, group management, and an online directory for members. Planning Center Online is a comprehensive software suite, and we will gradually deploy its various products and options over the coming weeks and months.
For clarity, all of the church staff-oriented products and features are under the “Planning Center” umbrella. For most parishioners (that’s anyone who attends Grace), you will interact primarily with Church Center via the app or website interface. Those who volunteer on serve teams may find themselves also using the Services product, although a lot of that scheduling can also be done through Church Center.
Here is our rollout plan:
Phase 1: Church Center App & July Volunteers
Anyone who has shared their information with Grace Northridge can access their profile and add individual profile photos, household profile photos, update birthday, grade, contact info, and more for themselves and their whole household.
For those who have taken the steps to become Community Members of Grace, they have been invited to join the Online Directory on the Church Center App. Not only can Members edit their information, but they can choose to share it with other Members too.
Those handful of people who have been serving during Fallow July have been invited to activate their access to Services, the area of Planning Center which handles volunteer roles.
Phase 2: Check-Ins and August-December Volunteers
By August 2, we plan to have the Check-Ins product up and running, to begin using it for Kids Worship name tags. On August 1, we will promote all school-age kids up a grade for the 2026-2027 school year.
Through the end of July and beginning of August, those who are currently on Serve Teams will begin receiving invitations to activate their access to Services and start signing up for volunteer roles throughout the fall semester.
Phase 3: Giving
By mid-August, we plan to have the Giving module up and running, ready to receive regular tithes, one-time gifts, and paid registrations.
If you have historically given to Grace through Breeze, Planning Center will replace that. Cash, checks, and other modes of direct payment can remain the same.
We will communicate thoroughly with anyone who has historically given through Breeze, and walk you through the transition process.
If you have questions about your past giving records, you can contact our Administrator Julie Malone
Phase 4: Groups
By September 1, we plan to begin utilizing the Groups module to help Bible Studies, Life Groups, Practice Groups, and others stay better organized, be more visible for visitors, and make communication super easy.
Thank you to everyone who has already taken initiative to participate in this transition, and we appreciate your patience as we figure out all of these new things and how best to use them. If you discover things that aren’t working the way you expect, please reach out to Joel Cook so that he and the staff can explore how to improve that.
