In today’s digital world, your church’s communication and marketing tools are essential to ministry. From social media accounts to website logins, these platforms help you connect, share stories and reach your community with the Gospel.
But here’s a question … if your communications director or tech volunteer left tomorrow, would there be someone who knows how to access everything?
When it comes to passwords and digital tools, many churches run into the same problem: only one person knows everything. And when that person changes roles or is unavailable, the rest of the team is left scrambling.
Knowledge transfer isn’t just about organization. It’s about stewardship.
New team members shouldn’t have to spend their onboarding time chasing down login info or trying to find missing files. Having a system in place helps them start strong.
Less time resetting passwords means more time creating ministry impact. Remove the sideways work and put your energy into what matters most!
Whether it’s getting a grant application in on time or launching a campaign quickly, access matters.
Everyone knows where to find what they need. It also provides a running start on how to use it.
When you cast this vision for your staff, you’re helping your church run smoothly and sustainably for the long haul!
Instead of connecting accounts to personal email addresses, create a general church email (like info@yourchurchname.org or comms@yourchurchname.org) to manage all logins.
This ensures that access isn’t tied to one person’s inbox. It keeps things consistent as roles change and time passes.
Password managers are the unsung heroes of digital ministry. They help you securely store, share and update passwords in one central place ... without the sticky notes or text threads.
Why is this important?
A few trusted options you can look into using for your church staff include: 1Password, Apple Passwords, Dashlane and Bitwarden. The key is to look for a solution that can be shared with a team.
Think of this as your digital ministry knowledge playbook. This is a one-page document that helps the next person know what’s what.
In this document, Include the following:
This document ensures that knowledge isn’t lost and that your systems stay secure and consistent.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an important layer of protection to your church's accounts! It can also create access headaches if it’s tied to an unknown person’s cell phone.
Here are a few best practices:
Of course, sometimes there’s no way around individual connections ... especially for social media platforms that require a personal account. When that’s the case, be sure to document it clearly so your team knows who to contact if need be.
Your church’s digital tools are powerful ministry resources. Managing them well is part of your team’s faithful stewardship!
By taking time to document your systems, set up secure passwords and plan for transitions, you’ll not only protect your church but also equip your team to communicate the Gospel with confidence and clarity for many years to come.
So take a few minutes this week to start your password manager, build your knowledge transfer document and ensure your church never gets locked out of its own mission!
Need help thinking through clear and strategic next steps for your digital marketing efforts? Wanting to connect about how our team’s skilz and experience can help your church staff?
Learn more about Fishhook’s services at fishhook.us/services.
Or, reach out and set up a time to meet! We love connecting with new churches, hearing your church's story and brainstorming/problem solving with you. It's kind of our favorite thing. Contact us at fishhook.us/contact.