Skip These Church App Features? DOA
Key Takeaways
The best church apps have the right features, not just flashy extras. These 15 must-have church app features—like online giving, prayer requests, event signups, and small group tools—keep members engaged, connected, and using your app all week long.
Launching a church app without the right features is like building a church with no bathrooms—people won’t stick around. Miss these essentials, and your app becomes another dusty icon no one taps.
Here are 11 must-have church app features that keep people connected, make ministry easier, and actually get your congregation using it all week.
TL;DR:The best church apps have the right features, not just flashy extras. These 15 must-have church app features—like online giving, prayer requests, event signups, and small group tools—keep members engaged, connected, and using your app all week long.
What to Include in Your Church App
Below are 11 must-have features for you to add to your church app...
1. Member Portal
Whatever church app program you use should include a member portal as a basic feature. If not, you're not getting your money's worth.
An app that lets members create an account gives them greater access to your church. They can update their information, access their donation history, and any other member-exclusive content you have created.
A member portal will do more to create value in the app than almost anything else you add.
2. Connection Card
Every church has a physical card in the pews or welcome center for guests to fill out. Add the same card to your app!
The best part is that the digital counterpart to your physical card can be updated on the fly at no cost. Your physical cards can't do that. That means your connection cards can now be tailored to different events to make connecting with guests even more relevant!
3. Prayer Requests
Having a form to submit prayer requests adds another opportunity for your members to let you know how you can pray for them.
Pro Tip: If the church app features the ability to email one of your leaders when a form is filled out, make sure to have all prayer requests sent to your prayer team leader directly.
4. Church Sermons
Share your church’s sermons right in the app!
This can include both video and audio from platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or your podcast feed. While many people may still choose to watch or listen on their favorite platform, featuring sermons in your app makes it easier for members to find them. And if they do tune in through the app, they can easily explore the other great content you’ve created.
5. Online Giving
One simple way to increase giving at your church is to give your members the ability to donate when they are not in the building. Make sure your church app is integrated with your online giving platform.
This is the most important thing to add to your app aside from the member portal.
6. Giving History
If your church app platform connects to your donation management program (or if you are using an all-in-one church management software that offers both must-have features), then be sure to include a member's giving history within their profile.
This will save you time at the beginning of the year as you prepare contribution statements. You won't need to send them to some of your members if they can get the document themselves in your app!
7. Upcoming Events
Easily gather registrations for upcoming events by adding them to your app. If members create an account, make sure they can see the events they have registered for so they don't forget.
8. Online Directory
An online directory helps members connect names with faces, build relationships, and integrate into the church faster when they first join.
An online directory is a must-have feature of your app. But check out these must-have features of an online church directory.
9. Volunteer Signups
Want more people to serve and volunteer? Want to create a culture of service at your church?
Add a form to sign up to serve at your church. Having this on the main page of your app puts volunteering on the mind of every app user.
10. Next Steps
What are the steps you want people to take at your church?
Create a list of every action you want to see people do. Salvations, baptisms, taking the membership class, volunteering, joining a small group, etc. Then create pages, forms, announcements, events, and any other appropriate content type to promote those things within the application.
11. Social Media
Link to all of your organization's social media pages. This effectively turns the app into the central hub of your entire online presence. This will help some members find your social media accounts so they can follow you there.
Bonus: Mass Texting Opt-In (Not a deal breaker, but...)
Mass texting platforms and phone carriers are both taking greater strides to curb spammers. What this means for your church is that you have to meet stricter stipulations in order to send church-wide texts.
Opting into mass texts is crucial. Thankfully, there is an easy way to get more people to opt-in. Include an opt-in form in your app that your members can fill out.
Build an App Your Church Actually Needs
Even a list this long is not exhaustive. Even with 11 MUST-HAVE features, this list isn’t the final word (but that’s the point).
Every church is unique. Not every item here will apply to your context, and that’s okay. What matters most is building something that serves your people well.
So think beyond the checklist. Ask your team. Ask your members. Build an app that truly works for your minsitry!
Church App FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about what to include in your church app...
Do I need all these features in my church app?
Not necessarily. Every church is unique. Use this list as a starting point and build your app based on your congregation’s specific needs and your ministry goals.
How can I make sure my members will actually use the app?
Promote it regularly during services, in newsletters, and on social media. Highlight key features that add value, like online giving, sermon access, and event sign-ups. Encourage leaders and volunteers to promote the app.
What if I don’t have a large budget or tech team?
Many church management platforms (like Church Connect) offer easy-to-use app builders with these features built in. You don’t need to be a developer to create a functional, user-friendly app.
How often should I update content in the app?
Consistent updates keep the app relevant and encourage repeat visits. Aim to add new sermons, events, announcements, and volunteer opportunities regularly.