SteepleMate Launch Roadmap: Piecing Together Your Church's Success
Welcome to SteepleMate! We recognize the immense potential SteepleMate holds for your church, but we also understand the challenges that come with navigating unfamiliar territory. That’s why we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Our goal is to guide you from the very start of your SteepleMate journey, ensuring a smooth setup process, and assisting you in creating a roadmap to successfully launch the system in your church.
Stay Updated with SteepleMate Enhancements:
At SteepleMate, we are committed to continuous improvement and innovation. We regularly release enhancements to our platform to provide you with the best possible experience. As a result, you may come across Help Guides or Help Videos that appear different from what you have seen before. Please rest assured that these changes are part of our ongoing efforts to improve and refine our product.
Support is Here for You:
If you ever have questions or need assistance, our dedicated Support team and Account Managers are here to help. Feel free to reach out to them at any time for prompt and personalized support. Thank you for being a valued part of the SteepleMate community. We are here to support you on your journey, and we appreciate your understanding as we continually strive to enhance your experience.
To help you with the next steps, we have included a few tasks in your dashboard. Feel free to skip and return to steps that you deem unnecessary for your specific ministry needs. Proceed at your own pace, and focus on the tasks that align with your ministry's priorities.
Setup OfferingMate:
Through our partnership with Payrix, we offer secure merchant services for online giving, supporting credit card and ACH transactions.
Donors can initiate giving through various channels, including the member portal on the web, text-to-give, QR code-to-give, and the SteepleMate mobile app. Donors also have the option to cover an estimated Payrix fee while completing their transaction. When selected, the donor is not actually "paying" the Payrix fee on behalf of the church; they are simply increasing the amount of their donation to help the church cover the estimated fee that will be charged by Payrix.
As of 2024, transaction fees are 2.99% + $0.30 for credit/debit and $0.50 for ACH transactions. The merchant application process usually takes about 2 business days. You'll need your bank account details, routing and account number, and digital copies of your Church Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation or 501(c)(3) Certificate or EIN.
Your dedicated SteepleMate Account Manager is available to help you with any questions, and will be in contact with you as your merchant application is processed.
Define Organization Settings
Explore the flexibility of SteepleMate's Organization Settings page, where each piece seamlessly integrates into your church's unique puzzle. Configure SteepleMate according to your church's unique needs, and review and adjust settings across different sections to match your preferences.
To access Organization Settings, from the left navigation select Administration. Find and select Organization Settings.
In the Attendance Tracking section of the Organization Settings, you can specify default service times that will be available in the mobile application and other areas of the system. The system also offers the option to automatically create church services, ready for your attendance team upon arrival.
In the Calendar and Special Occasion Options section, you have the ability to configure various settings according to your preferences. You can specify who can access the church calendar, manage resource approvals, select notification preferences, choose appointment colors on the calendar, and even set up birthday and anniversary notifications. Tailor these options to align with your specific needs and create a personalized calendar experience for your church.
The Email Messaging Features section allows you to integrate an existing email account so that emails may be sent from the system on your behalf.
The Facial Recognition/Photo Gallery section gives churches with the ability to set access for who can view the photo gallery, and adjust facial recognition settings.
As a SuperAdmin, you have the authority to adjust Finance, OfferingMate, and Merchant Account settings. This section allows you to control who can access the Finance menu, fine-tune contribution settings, integrate with QuickBooks, and review the Merchant Account.
Within the Guest Connection Cards section, you have the ability to personalize the introductory and thank-you text messages that are automatically sent to new guests. Additionally, you can select a specific group of individuals who will receive an alert and task whenever a new guest submits the form. This level of customization allows you to make a meaningful and timely connection with new guests, ensuring they feel welcomed and valued within your church community.
In the Identification section, you have the flexibility to adjust your organization's name, address, and contact information. This vital information is visible on both the mobile app and website, ensuring accurate and up-to-date details are readily available to your community. When you're ready to launch SteepleMate, return to this section to set up a signup key or enable self-registration, streamlining the onboarding process for new users.
Within the Information Entry and Visibility Defaults section, you have the ability to fine-tune various settings. You can control the visibility of the church directory, allowing you to determine who can access and view this important resource. Additionally, you can change the grid theme to suit your preferred aesthetic. Moreover, you have the flexibility to adjust group leader access, providing the appropriate permissions and privileges to individuals leading different groups within your church. Customize these settings to create a tailored and user-friendly experience for your church community.
In the Marquee and Kiosk Options section, you have the power to configure the visibility frequency of prayer requests, victory reports, and prayer warriors within your church community. Tailor these settings to control how often these important elements are displayed, ensuring optimal engagement and impact. Additionally, if you have a kiosk, marquee, or billboard integrated into your account, you can set up machine notifications. This feature allows you to deliver targeted messages or announcements through these physical displays, enhancing communication and engagement with your congregation.
Within the Phone Numbers, Text Messaging, and Call Forwarding section, you have the flexibility to adjust various communication settings. Tailor these settings to your specific preferences, ensuring seamless and efficient communication within your church community.
The School Features section is designed for organizations with a tuition-based program. Here, you can easily set up your school schedule, provide tuition information, and manage lunches. Customize these features to streamline the administrative processes of your school program and ensure smooth operations.
Configure Website
As part of your subscription, SteepleMate provides you with powerful website capabilities. With SteepleMate Websites, you have the ability to effortlessly edit and enhance your church's online presence. Customize your website with pictures, maps, videos, social media links, and much more. This user-friendly platform empowers you to showcase your church's unique identity and engage your community effectively. Maximize the potential of your online presence with SteepleMate Websites, available to you at no additional cost.
To start configuring your website, from the left navigation select Administration, then select Church Website Settings. Review and adjust settings in various sections according to your preferences.
Configure Mobile App
All subscribers include the SteepleMate Mobile Apps for both Android and iOS devices. Effortlessly enhance your church's presence in the digital space. Personalize the app with your church logo and customize it to reflect your unique identity. Enrich the app with media, videos, and other engaging content to keep your congregation connected and informed. Encourage your church members to utilize the chat and prayer network features, fostering a sense of community and support. SteepleMate Mobile Apps empower you to extend your ministry's reach, delivering valuable resources and features right to the fingertips of your congregation.
To start configuring your mobile app, from the left navigation select Administration, then select Mobile App Settings. Review and adjust settings in various sections according to your preferences.
To populate your SteepleMate system with members and contacts, you have multiple options available. You can manually enter them using the Person Manager or the Contact Manager. Alternatively, you can import a data file to streamline the process.
In SteepleMate, a person is defined as someone with whom you have an established relationship within your local church family. This includes both members and non-members who are part of your congregation.
On the other hand, a contact refers to individuals with whom you do not have an established relationship or those who are outside of your local congregation. This may include visitors, individuals on your mailing lists, or those who are not officially part of your church community.
By categorizing and organizing members and contacts, you can effectively manage your church family and engage with external individuals. Choose the method that suits your preference and start adding your members and contacts to SteepleMate for seamless relationship management.
To import church family select Administration from the left navigation, then select Import Data. Select the import option that best suits your needs, and download the provided data template that corresponds to the chosen import option.
Complete Group Setup
One essential step in the setup process is defining and organizing groups within your organization. These groups play a crucial role in managing attendance, communications, reporting, and other functions. To assist you in getting started, we have already created some default groups. You have the flexibility to update these default groups or create your own, tailoring them to your specific needs. If you plan to use SteepleMate attendance or child check-in features, begin adding people to their applicable groups.
To access the Manage Groups screen, find the Administration menu on the left navigation. Then, select Manage Groups.
Review Digital Signage, Devices, and Services
SteepleMate provides a range of digital signage, devices, and services to elevate your church's overall experience. Our Add-On's allow you to purchase domains, customize artwork, upgrade security measures, and even leverage billboards to create a rich and immersive experience for your congregation.
To access our add-ons, find the Administration menu on the left navigation. Then, select Add Products.
Launch SteepleMate!
Congratulations on completing the setup process and putting all the pieces together for your SteepleMate journey! Now, it's time to focus on getting your church access to SteepleMate. Review the Registration vs Sign Up Help Guides for assistance. For assistance with this step, we recommend reviewing the Registration vs Sign Up Help Guides, for valuable guidance and instructions.
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