This tutorial walks you through everything you need to do this week to be ready for Sunday. Don't skip ahead — each step builds on the last.
Step 1 — Add your staff (5 min)
Go to Admin → Users → Invite User. For each pastor or staff member, enter their email and pick a role:
- Admin — full access (use sparingly, for 1-2 people).
- Pastor — People, Care, Groups, Events.
- Finance Manager — Giving and Reports only.
- Volunteer Coordinator — Volunteering module.
They'll get an email invite. They set their own password.
Non-techie tip: Skip the "Security Admin" role unless you know why you need it. Default roles cover 95% of churches.
Step 2 — Import your people (10 min)
Go to People → Import CSV. Download the template, copy-paste your current member spreadsheet, and upload.
If you're coming from another platform:
- Planning Center — Export from People > Lists > Export All.
- Breeze — More > Data > Export > Members.
- Spreadsheet — Make sure columns are: firstName, lastName, email, phone, status.
Run the import in Preview mode first. Fix any red rows, then commit.
Step 3 — Set up online giving (10 min)
Go to Settings → Integrations → Stripe. Click "Connect with Stripe" and complete their verification (takes about 5 minutes, need your EIN handy).
Create your first fund at Giving → Funds → New Fund (e.g., "Tithe"). Without at least one fund, donations can't be recorded.
Test it: make a $1 donation to yourself. If it shows up in Giving → Contributions within 60 seconds, you're good.
Step 4 — Prepare check-in (10 min)
Go to Check-in → Settings. Enable kids check-in if you have a children's ministry. Print name tags at Check-in → Test Printer.
Walk through the flow once as a test: check yourself in, see that it logs attendance, then check out.
Step 5 — Announce your launch (10 min)
Go to Communications → New Campaign. Send an email to all staff + members explaining:
- The new portal URL (yourchurch.steepleos.com or your custom domain).
- How to set their password (they'll get invite emails).
- Where to give online (share the giving URL).
Use the "Welcome to SteepleOS" template if you don't want to write from scratch.
You're ready for Sunday ✓
Before the service starts, open the dashboard on a tablet in the lobby so greeters can check people in.