Membership Features

The Membership system is made up of several individual modules, referenced below:

Family Mailing List

The Family Mailing List module stores information related to each family (or household) in PowerChurch Plus, such as street address and mailing preferences. Keeping this information separate from personal information such as cell phone numbers and birthdays means that you only have to enter it once for the whole family, rather than duplicating that information on each individual person.

• Record up to 99,999 families in the database
• Track household contact information: 2 addresses, 3 phones, family email, family website, and family picture.
• Three customizable fields to track non-standard information specific to your church.
• Family notes field, date added to PowerChurch Plus, and date last modified.
• Quick Tagging allows you to create impromptu groups. For example, create mailing labels for only 5 families by "tagging" them, then print mailing labels for only "tagged" families.
• Send bulk emails, formatted as plain text or HTML with attachments.
• Print mailing labels, 3x5 cards, and Rolodex cards.
• Export data to Access MDB file, mail merge data source, and phone dialer files
• Import data from XLS, CSV, or DBF.
• Reports - 16 built-in reports, including five layouts of the Church Directory with and without family pictures
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Family Mailing List data.

Personal Profiles

The Personal Profiles module stores information related to each individual person in PowerChurch Plus, such as referencing which family (or household) they are a member of, their birthday, cell phone number, and email address.

• Record up to 99 members of each family.
• Track personal contact information: 5 phones, 2 emails, 2 websites, and personal picture.
• 12 customizable dates, including birth date.
• Automatically or manually assign envelope numbers to contributors.
• 10 customizable code fields and 5 customizable note fields to track non-standard information specific to your church.
• Track Allergies, Conditions, and Medications.
• Quick Tagging allows you to create impromptu groups. For example, send an email to 5 individuals by "tagging" them, then sending email to only "tagged" individuals.
• Send bulk emails, formatted as plain text or HTML with attachments.
• Send text messages via SimpleTexting.com.
• Update Outlook Contacts allows you to import and update Outlook Contacts with Personal Profiles contact information. Not available in PowerChurch Online
• Print mailing labels, 3x5 cards, and Rolodex cards.
• Presort mailings can be generated with the addition of PowerChurch Mailroom add-on product. Not available in PowerChurch Online
• Export data to Access MDB file, mail merge data source, and phone dialer files.
• Request background checks on adult individuals through Protect My Ministry.
• Reports - 25 built-in reports, including Birthdays & Anniversaries report.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Personal Profiles data.

Activities & Skills

The Activities & Skills module is where you create small groups such as activities (Choir, Youth Group, Womens Ministry), committees (Finance Committee), or skills (Musical Instrument, Carpentry, Advertising). These groups can then be used to create email, mailing labels, mail merge letters, record attendance, and Events calendars.

• Record up to 9,999 different Activities.
• Track information for each person that is a member of the activity, such as role, skill level, interest level, years of experience, and date joined.
• Customizable type, department, and role fields.
• There is no limit to the number of people in an activity, or number of activities a person is a member of.
• Specify Check In/Check Out security settings when using the Check In System add-on product.
• Class Promotion system allows you to easily "graduate" people from one activity to another.
• Record "Offices Served" - current or historical records of those serving in positions in the church for a range of dates.
• Send bulk emails, formatted as plain text or HTML with attachments.
• Send text messages via SimpleTexting.com.
• "Mass Update" features allow you to add or remove people from the activity.
• Print mailing labels for people in selected activities, parents of children in selected activities, and current officers.
• Presort mailings can be generated with the addition of PowerChurch Mailroom add-on product. Not available in PowerChurch Online
• Export data to Access MDB file, mail merge data source, and phone dialer files.
• Reports - 17 built-in reports, including Class Pictorial Directory.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Activities & Skills data.

Attendance

The Attendance module allows you to record attendance status for a specific date for each person that is a member of an activity. You can then follow up with absentee information and evaluate attendance statistics and trends with reports and graphs output. The Attendance entry can be automated by using the Check In System add-on product.

• Record unlimited Attendance records.
• Track attendance status for each person in an activity for a specific date.
• Record a count of those in attendance in addition to (or instead of) the detailed attendance status on each person.
• Attendance data entry can be automated with the Check In System add-on product.
• Fast Data Entry screen allows you to record everyone's attendance as the specified status, changing only those that are not correct.
• Use a bar code reader to scan attendance data. This speeds up the process of data entry.
• Send bulk emails, formatted as plain text or HTML with attachments.
• Send text messages via SimpleTexting.com.
• Print mailing labels for people who were present or absent a certain percentage of the time.
• Presort mailings can be generated with the addition of PowerChurch Mailroom add-on product.
• Export data to Access MDB file and mail merge data source file.
• Generate graphs of attendance data.
• Reports - 14 built-in reports, including 6 layouts of the Attendance Register Form.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Attendance data.

Visitations

The Visitations module stores a record of visits made to families (or households) by church representatives. For example, when a Deacon performs a visit to a member in the hospital. Information such as the date, method, purpose, and notes about the visit can be recorded.

• Record unlimited Visitation records.
• Track visit details, such as who visited, when visited, purpose of visit, method of visit, location, and notes.
• Print mailing labels, 3x5 cards, and create mail merge data source files.
• Presort mailings can be generated with the addition of PowerChurch Mailroom add-on product. Not available in PowerChurch Online
• Export data to Access MDB file.
• Reports - 5 built-in reports, including Families Not Visited for a Range of Dates.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Visitations data.

Ministry Services

The Ministry Services module allows you to record ministerial services, such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals performed for people in Membership.

• Record unlimited Ministry Services records.
• Track service information such as minister, date, type, and location.
• Print mailing labels and create mail merge data fource files.
• Presort mailings can be generated with the addition of PowerChurch Mailroom add-on product. Not available in PowerChurch Online
• Export data to Access MDB file.
• Reports - 4 built-in reports, including Selected Summary Data, which reports a count of each service type for a specified range of dates.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Ministry Services data.

Contributions Features

The Contributions module stores giving records for each person in the Personal Profiles module. PowerChurch Plus uses envelope numbers to connect giving records to individuals. Multiple people in the same family can have the same envelope number assigned, or they can each be given a separate number. Contribution Statements and Canadian Tax Receipts can be generated for each envelope number and any date range you specify. Information posted from the Contributions module can automatically update the Fund Accounting module with income and bank deposit information.

• Record unlimited Contributions records for up to 99,998 envelope numbers.
• Customizable contribution types (cash, check, online, credit card, etc.)
• Enter contributions using a MICR Check Reader. PowerChurch Plus "remembers" contributors' account and routing number combinations and speeds up the process of looking up their envelope number. Automatically fills in the amounts given last time.
• Record gifts to different "funds". Allows up to 9,999 different contribution funds.
• Track different designations within each fund, such as memorials or support for specific missionaries.
• Record repeating contributions, such as scheduled bank drafts.
• Import contributions from online giving services, such as Vanco Payment Solutions.
• Contribution amounts can post to update Fund Accounting automatically with income and bank deposit transaction.
• Send bulk emails, formatted as plain text or HTML with attachments.
• Send text messages via SimpleTexting.com.
• Print mailing labels for all or selected contributors, late payers, or selected pledges.
• Presort mailings can be generated with the addition of PowerChurch Mailroom add-on product. Not available in PowerChurch Online
• Export data to Access MDB file, mail merge data source file, and file for envelope printing companies.
• Generate graphs of contributions data.
• Reports - 42 built-in reports, including five layouts of Contribution Statements and Canadian Tax Receipts.
• Automatically email contribution statements/tax receipts as file attachments.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Contributions data.

Pledges

Pledges (also known as "Faith Promises") can be entered in PowerChurch Plus to show a person's planned giving for a specific purpose and date range. Comparisons of pledged amounts to actual amounts given can be analyzed as needed. Giving projections can be generated based on pledged amounts.

• Record unlimited number of pledges.
• Track weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly, or "one-time" pledges
• "Pledge" terminology is customizable
• Built-in reports show comparisons of pledged to actual amounts.
• Automatically search for contributions not applied to pledges.
• Year end pledge processing function copies all of this year's pledges to next year.

Accounting Features

The Accounting system is made up of several individual modules, referenced below:

Fund Accounting

The Fund Accounting module is a cash-basis, double-entry accounting system designed specifically for churches. Defining multiple accounting funds allows you to maintain separate, parallel-running charts of accounts. For example, a new building campaign can raise and spend millions of dollars over the course of several years. When the building is being designed and built, the monthly expenses incurred will likely be more than the rest of the operating expenses combined. Keeping all building fund activity separate from the general operating fund allows you to see a more accurate financial picture of each.

• Enter an unlimited number of transactions.
• Accounting Setup Assistant helps get your initial chart of accounts and beginning balances in place.
• Record repeating transactions.
• Keep an unlimited number of accounting months open at a time.
• Mark accounts inactive.
• Mark entire accounting funds inactive.
• Move or combine accounts at any time during the year.
• Reconcile Bank/Credit Card Accounts process helps match PowerChurch Plus transactions to those reported on your account statement.
• Enter budget amounts for individual accounts or to be shared by a group of accounts.
• Track "donor restricted" funds.
• Copy budget to next year function allows you to easily copy budget from one year to another, then change only those that are incorrect.
• Export data to Access MDB file, or XLS, CSV, or DBF file with monthly balances and budgets for each account.
• Generate graphs of account balances.
• Reports - 35 built-in reports include standard month-end financial reports (Balance Sheet, Income & Expense Statement, Check Register) as well as PowerChurch-specific reports.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Fund Accounting account balances.

Accounts Payable

The Accounts Payable module records payments to vendors, whether by printed computer check, handwritten check, or other payment methods as "manual checks". Information posted from Accounts Payable creates transactions in the Fund Accounting module.

• Record unlimited Accounts Payable transactions.
• Accounts Payable transactions post to update Fund Accounting automatically.
• Record vendor contact information, such as address, 4 phones, email, and website.
• Record vendor account information, such as account number, balance, credit line, tax ID, due days, last buy date, last payment date, and vendor notes with timestamp.
• Mark vendors as inactive.
• Merge duplicate vendor records together.
• Print computer checks or record handwritten checks/other payment methods as "manual checks".
• Supports Canadian cheque formats.
• Print vendor account number in memo line on checks.
• Void check utility.
• Record repeating transactions.
• Print mailing labels.
• Print 1099-MISC/NEC forms for vendors or e-file using the PowerChurch E-file service.
• Export data to Access MDB file.
• Reports - 9 built-in reports include Vendor Directory, which serves as a hard copy of all vendor contact information.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Accounts Payable data.

Accounts Receivable

The Accounts Receivable module allows you to issue invoices and record payments from customers. For example, a building use rental has been scheduled and you need to issue an invoice requesting payment. Accept partial payments against invoices and issue credit memos for over-payments.

• Record unlimited Accounts Receivable transactions.
• Add customers from scratch or link them to existing entries in the Membership system.
• Accounts Receivable transactions post to update Fund Accounting automatically.
• Issue invoices for payment.
• Record repeating invoices, such as day care enrollment fees.
• Apply payments against specific invoices.
• Issue credit memos in case of overpayment or data entry errors.
• Send bulk emails, formatted as plain text or HTML with attachments.
• Print mailing labels.
• Export data to Access MDB file.
• Reports - 13 built-in reports, including Account Statement to send to customer, showing invoices, payments, and credit memos.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Accounts Receivable data.

Payroll

• Record unlimited Payroll transactions for up to 9,999 employees.
• Payroll transactions post to update Fund Accounting automatically.
• Track employee contact information, such as address, 2 phones, and email address.
• Track emergency contact information for each employee.
• Customizable position, department, and pay group fields.
• Process contributions deductions from employee payroll.
• Easily track pastor salary and housing allowance.
• Supports all US Federal and State tax tables.
• Easily set up and track pre-tax deductions, such as retirement and medical insurance.
• Request background checks for employees through Protect My Ministry.
• Track time off earned and used. Time off types are customizable.
• Track employee salary and position history.
• New streamlined process generates hourly and salary process using a step by step assistant.
• Automatically create Accounts Payable entries for deduction amounts
• Print 941 forms or e-file using the PowerChurch E-file service.
• Print W2 forms for employees or e-file using the PowerChurch E-file service.
• Send bulk emails, formatted as plain text or HTML with attachments.
• Export data to Access MDB file.
• Reports - 19 built-in reports including 941 Tax Deposit report.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Payroll data.

Events Features

The Event Scheduling module allows you to schedule one-time or recurring events, reserve rooms and equipment (from the Equipment Inventory module), and assign tasks to people in Personal Profiles.

• Record unlimited event occurrences.
• Reserve rooms and equipment.
• In-depth conflict resolution.
• Assign tasks to individuals from Personal Profiles.
• Customizable event type, room type, and task type fields.
• Send event announcements and task reminder emails.
• Sync events with Google Calendar.
• Export events calendar for use in word processing software or to publish on your website.
• Reports - 6 built-in reports including Room Setup Schedule, which displays a schedule of setup and teardown times for upcoming events.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Events data.

Record Keeping Features

The Record Keeping system is made up of several individual modules, referenced below:

Equipment Inventory

The Equipment Inventory module stores important information about equipment the church owns, such as date purchased, purchase price, current value, model number, and serial number. This equipment can also be scheduled in events in the Events module.

• Record unlimited equipment items.
• Customizable equipment category field.
• Track location, quantity, manufacturer, model number, serial number, cost, value, and date purchased.
• Record equipment maintenance required and performed.
• Equipment items are referenced in the Events module.
• Export data to Access MDB file.
• Reports - 8 built-in reports, including Totals by Category, which displays total cost and value of equipment in each category.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Equipment Inventory data.

Education Library

The Education Library stores information regarding each of the books or other items in the church library. Print card catalogs, track borrowers, and due dates for each library item.

• Record unlimited library items.
• Track title, author, subject, scripture reference, media type, reference number, date acquired, and last updated date.
• Track current borrower name, last borrowed date, date due, and times borrowed.
• Print card catalog on 3x5 cards.
• Export data to Access MDB file.
• Reports - 10 built-in reports including Late Borrowers, which displays a list of books that have not been returned by the due date.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Education Library data.

Music Library

The Music Library module records the details of each item in the church's music collection, including media-type, such as sheet music, cassette, CD, or digital file.

• Record unlimited music library items.
• Track composer, arranger, occasion, text, accompaniment, musical key, voicing, media, publisher, order number, difficulty, reference number, date last used, and number of copies in stock.
• Export data to Access MDB file.
• Reports - 10 built-in reports including All Titles in Musical Key Sequence.
• Included Custom Report Writer allows you to create reports of your own from Music Library data.

Sermon Filer

The Sermon Filer module helps to organize the pastor's sermons by storing information about each, including when it was last given, how it was received, and even link to a media file, such as a text document, or video.

• Record unlimited sermons.
• Track title, scripture reference, when delivered, subject, who delivered, where delivered, reference number, notes, and file name.
• Launch the linked file directly from the Sermon Filer screen. Not available in PowerChurch Online
• Export data to Access MDB file.
• Reports - 6 built-in reports including All Sermons in Date Sequence.

System Features

Here you will find a list of general, system-wide features:

Security

PowerChurch Plus contains the following security features:

• Enable password protection to create individual user accounts.
• Grant Access, Add/Change, and Delete permissions for each user for each module.
• Create Group Profiles, which allow multiple users to share the same security permissions.
• Ability to block contribution data-entry operators from seeing contributor names (only by envelope number).
• Audit Logs show important activity in the software, such as posting transactions or restoring a backup, the date, time, and the user that performed the operation.
• Sensitive information, such as contributor account numbers, and employee social security numbers are encrypted in the database.

Reporting

Each of the individual modules of PowerChurch Plus contain a reports menu, with many built-in reports included. You have the ability of viewing these reports on the screen, sending them directly to the printer, or save a file for editing in another application.

• Built-in reports can be viewed on the screen, sent directly to the printer, or saved to an external file, such as Word .doc, Excel .xls, Acrobat .pdf, or HTML.
• Reports can also be saved as DOCX, ODT, XLSX, and ODS file formats if Microsoft Office or Libre Office is installed.
• Email reports directly from the screen preview. Email to a single address, selected people from Membership data, or to members of a selected Activity.
• When viewing a report on the screen, click the Refresh button to switch back to the Report Options/Selection Criteria screen to make further changes.
• Save and recall report profiles. Share report profiles with other users. Assign each report a default profile.
• The included Custom Report Writer allows you to create your own reports from each area of the software.
• Export to Access MDB file for even more indepth reporting and analysis.

Backup & Restore

The Backup & Restore functionality in PowerChurch Plus creates small, zip file backups of program data only. This allows you to create backups of data from a specific area of the program, or all data, with or without pictures. Regularly backing up program data ensures disaster recovery is available with a minimal loss of data.

• In most cases, backups are small enough to be attached to an email.
• Backup to removeable storage devices such as floppy disk, zip disk, CD, DVD, and media cards.
• Backup to external media such as external hard drives, USB flash drives, and shared network drives.
• Backup to a folder on your local hard drive, if no other devices are available.
• Backups can be scheduled in the Task Scheduler in Windows.
• Choose to backup all data files and pictures, all data files, or the data files for individual modules.
• Restore all files or selected files from a backup.