iServe Onboarding

Get your congregation setup and working with our fully featured Church Management System.

iServe Setup

Use the step-by-step guide below to send us the necessary info we need to setup iServe. This guide should help you see what is needed to get started with iServe. 

    CautionPlease complete and prepare the information requested on the iServe Setup Checklist before proceeding. This checklist will make sure that you have a quick onboarding process and have the information needed to properly set up iServe for your congregation.

    STEP 1: Contact Information

    Please provide the name and contact information so we know who is the clear point of contact for the person who will be the admin for iServe in the congregation.

    Congregation Name*

    Congregation Address*

    Congregation Logo*

    Congregation Logo for Dark Mode (to show up on dark background)

    Point of Contact*

    Point of Contact Email*

    STEP 2: Member Information

    The backbone of the iServe ChMS is the membership database. This is required for iServe to function operate properly. You can either manually enter your member information into iServe after we set up your account or we can upload information for you from a prepared CSV file.

    Please select the applicable option below for the member information.*

    [group upload-member-info]

    [/group]

    What is a CSV file? A CSV file is a spreadsheet file that has the contact information in separate columns for each person. You can save/export this type of file from your previous database program or you can download our sample file and create one for your congregation using Microsoft Excel or any other spreadsheet program. If you cannot export/save from previous program a template is available here for you to create a member list.

    STEP 3: Person Types

    The person types in iServe allow you to view, include, classify, and group the members in the app. These classifications deal more with the viewability in the app (not functionality) of the members. These types can be adjusted by the admin in the settings, however for the initial setup you can go ahead and edit the person types by providing an edited CSV file with any changes. If you are ok with the default settings below, just select "Use Default Settings" as your selection.

    Default Settings:

    Person Type

    Default Type

    Incl. in Attendance

    Can Be Child

    Show in Directory

    Needs Visits

    Active Member

    X

    X

    X

    Child

    X

    Christian Child

    X

    X

    Deceased

    X

    Former Member

    X

    Prayer List

    X

    Shut-In

    X

    X

    Non-Member

    X

    Please select the applicable option below for the member information.*

    [group person-type-info]

    [/group]

    STEP 4: Access Level Roles

    The different roles in iServe allow various levels of access to information in the application as well as permissions for various functions. These classifications deal more with the functionality of the app for the members. These roles can be adjusted by the admin in the settings, however for the initial setup please indicate below if you would like anything changed from the default settings.

    Default Settings:

    Role

    View Member Info

    Edit Own Info

    Add Visitor

    Take Attend.

    View Reports

    View Involve.

    View Notes

    Edit All Info

    Admin Settings

    Admin

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    Staff

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    Elder

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    Deacon

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    X

    Group Leader

    X

    X

    X

    X

    Member

    X

    X

    X

    Please select the applicable option below for the member information.*

    [group access-role-info]

    [/group]

    STEP 5: Service Schedule

    In order to use the attendance function for services, you must set the schedule of services in the settings. This can be a recurring schedule of your scheduled events.

    There are no services created by default. If you would like any recurring services to be created, please submit the day and time below (i.e. "Bible Class - Sunday 9 AM" or "Worship every Sunday at 10 am").

    STEP 6: Groups

    iServe allows different groups to be created for scheduling events, taking attendance, messaging, and push notifications. After these groups are made, the admin can add members to the groups and also assign "Group Admins" that can manage the groups and group functions.

    There are no groups created by default. If you would like any groups to be created, please submit any names below (i.e. elders, deacons, ministry team, youth group, leadership group, Primetimers, Young at heart, Silver Saints, etc.)

    STEP 7: Involvement Categories

    iServe is a database-driven application that allows members to get connected and involved with the various ministries in the local congregation. The involvement areas (i.e. ministries) can be grouped into different categories. This will allow better reporting for the leadership and possibly help see where the needs are in similar type works.

    When we originally programmed iServe, we created the four default categories below under which ministries and involvement areas could be grouped. These default categories can be used for your installation or you can come up with other ones by uploading your ideas or typing them in below.

    Default Settings:

    Involvement Category

    Exaltation

    Evangelism

    Edification

    Education

    Please select the applicable option below for involvement categories.*

    [group involvement-cat-upload-group]

    [/group]

    [group involvement-cat-input-group]

    [/group]

    STEP 8: Involvement Areas

    Members are able to select the involvement areas (i.e. ministries) that they would like to help. In order to provide these options, we need to have a list of ministries that you would like to be an option for your members. Please use the template for involvement areas and upload it here so that they can be imported into iServe.

    NOTE: We recommend you download and use our iServe Setup Worksheets to prepare the requested information before you use this online setup.  These can be uploaded during the setup process. Click here to access the worksheets online or find them in Downloads in your account.

    iSERVE SETUP WORKSHEETS

    iServe Mobile

    With every subscription, members can use our free mobile app to quickly access their profile, the church directory, announcements, prayer requests, and many other custom links for a church’s work. 

    Note: iOS and Android apps do not have all functions of the online app, but the basic functions are included for ease of use.

    login
    home
    directory
    profile
    prayer-requests
    profile-menu
    dark-mode

    Common Questions

    Yes, iServe has native apps for both Apple and Android devices. The “iServe Mobile” app allows users quick and easy access to many of the main functions of iServe such as the directory, announcements, prayer requests, custom links, and more. This app is a free download but a user must have an iServe subscription associated with a church account in order to login and use the app.  

    iServe’s robust system is primarily web-based. This means it can be accessed on any computer or device using a simple browser. The online portal provides full access to all functions for admins or other church leaders such as reporting, member management, groups management and more.  

    We do not have long-term contracts to sign for iServe. We will have a general agreement when you sign up but you are welcome to cancel at any time without any cancellation or early termination fees. We hope you will be blessed with the software, but if you are not satisfied we do not want you spending the Lord’s money on something that is not working for you.

    For purposes of counting profiles for an account, an “profile” is anyone that the congregation add to their iServe account. This could be an active members, former members, children, or even visitors. 

    No. Each congregation will be able to determine who needs to be an admin to their iServe account and data. There will only be one point of contact with CTS, but other individuals and church leaders will be able to access, edit, add, etc. the date for the congregation. iServe allows for a tiered approach to manage the data on the application.

    After you have paid for the iServe setup, you will have access to download forms and spreadsheets that will help you provide the needed documents to us for your account. Don’t worry…we will work with you to get your information properly imported before you begin using the app.  We will also help your admin know how that data can be changed/edited even after we finish the setup process.

    Once we get your account setup and all information imported, we will activate your account and the subscription will begin at that point. You will not be charged a monthly subscription fee until we get your account completely set up.

    You will pay for the setup fee and the monthly subscription through our online portal. You will first pay for the iServe Setup (see rates below) and after we have completed setting up your account, we will then have you start paying the monthly subscription for using iServe. We prefer that you use a credit card to pay for these monthly fees automatically. However, if you need to make other arrangements please contact us.

    If you decide that iServe does not meet your needs, we will happily give you a copy of your data so you can use it in another application or have for your records.  The data should always be available in a database format (usually visualized as a spreadsheet) that you can import into other applications.