SoChurch: The Next Generation of Church Software
Recently, my friend John Saddington invited me to consider becoming an advisor to a new software startup call SoChurch. John is one of the most tech-savvy people I know. He is the Creative Web Director of North Point Ministries and the owner of Milk Engine, the Web design firm that built my blog. So when he makes a request, I listen.
John described the company’s mission and then sent over an introductory packet to review. After reading it, I thought, this is exactly what churches need.
As the CEO of a large company, I know that effective communication is critical. You can’t maintain organizational alignment without it. And if you can’t maintain alignment, you will fail in your mission. Period.
But so often, churches don’t have access to the technology and tools that for-profit organizations have. Many are still printing and mailing newsletters. Some more “advanced” churches are using manually-maintained email distribution lists to communicate. And social media? Forget about it. Most have no idea what to do with that!
SoChurch is the answer. It has the goal of leveraging web technology and making it really, really simple. So simple, in fact, that non-geeks—real people—can use it. It is not something adapted from the corporate world or cobbled together piecemeal from other sources.
Instead, it’s been built from the ground-up with a completely different paradigm based on how local churches really work and how they are different from secular organizations. And it will also scale—meaning it will work with small churches and mega-churches, and everything in between.
I am also pleased to announce that I have come on-board as an official advisor to SoChurch. In fact, I am one of several people—bloggers whose names you will recognize—who will be working together to ensure that it achieves its mission.
The product is still in development, but here are some of the things we envision:
- Individual church branding
- Customization, configuration, and control, including worldclass privacy and security
- Simplified church directory functionality
- Group, resource, event, and content management tools
- Twitter and Facebook integration
- Mobile phone access and syncing
- Prayer information and reporting, as well as needs and classifieds postings
- A variety of tools, integration options, and settings to manage the flow of communication
Primarily, it will focus on communication, providing tools for managing events, gathering RSVPs, sending out updates, and hosting multimedia content. I promise, you will be impressed.
I will provide more detail when we get closer to our launch date. In the meantime, you could do us a huge favor by taking this brief survey.
Posted on May 6, 2010
In: Social Media
MICHELE CUSHATT is a communicator and storyteller whose speaking experience includes Women of Faith, Focus on the Family, and Compassion International. As emcee and communication coach, Michele is in her sixth year on staff at 
BARRY HILL, JR. is a storyteller, blogger, speaker, barista, and is in his fifteenth year of full-time ministry to teens and their families. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Rachel, and their six children—“the circus.” You can usually find Barry where fresh coffee and good ideas are brewing. To join in the conversation, drop by his blog, 
JOE LALONDE is a husband, explorer, challenger, and an adrenaline junkie. He has served as a youth leader for E3 Ministries for over 10 years. He is usually found wandering the woods, enjoying the company of his wife, or running the trails. Joe enjoys helping others expand their influence and leadership skills. You can connect with Joe at his 
RACHEL LANCE is originally from Alaska but now lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband and daughter. She works in technology and communications for the 
JIM MARTIN is the minister of Crestview Church of Christ in Waco, Texas, where he has served since 1994. He also leads a mentoring group, primarily composed of younger Christian leaders, and serves as a Mentoring Partner for 
TIM PETERS is the Co-Founder of 
JASON STAMBAUGH is a husband, father, former fat kid, accidental techie, and founder of 
JEREMY STATTON is an orthopedic surgeon in Louisville, KY. Although he enjoys writing, reading, and running, his first love is his wife and four kids. His family is currently in the process of adopting a son from China. He is also the author of 
JOHN TILLER is an inspirational speaker and writer. He travels with his family to churches, conferences, and other events sharing 
JUSTIN WISE is the social strategist for 
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