What’s the difference between a CMS and a ChMS? A CMS is a Content Management System. A ChMS is a Church Management System. Most Content Management Systems are designed with the following features:

• Make it easy to manage the content of the web site
• Allow multiple people to contribute to the site without being developers
• Improve overall communication with the community
• Enable specific roles for various types of contributors
• Generate reports on content and how it is being used

In contrast, a ChMS or Church Management System needs to do more than simply manage the content of the web site. That is not to say that it could not also include CMS software, just that it is also designed to provide management. I would suggest that a Church Management System needs the following features:

• Membership Management
• Financial Accounting
• Worship Planning
• Calendar Tracking
• Newsletter Support
• Web site Content Management
• Sermon Repository
• Bible Study Resources
• Small Group Support

What does your Church need? Are you still using multiple software packages for multiple tasks – sometimes with little coordination between them? If so, feel free to comment on your wish list for a Church Management System below.

How about adding a web page where volunteers could sign up for the specific service that they would like to give. It would list the current needs, and be filterable by area – e.g. children’s ministry. It would show each task and give some details about what is involved – e.g. VBS volunteer for 5 days meeting 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon each day, working with 8 year old kids. It would then allow people to signup – e.g. commit to being a VBS volunteer this year. They would give their contact information so the Church could followup – i.e. an email address for planning and announcements about VBS. This would help get everyone signed up and build the emailing list all in one step. Does your Church use your web page for this purpose? If so, then how is it working?