Getting Started: Navigating the Dashboard
When you first log in, you’ll notice a white banner across the top of the screen and a menu on the left-hand side.
A gray arrow allows you to expand or minimize the navigation menu. If you’re new to the platform, keeping the menu expanded can make it easier to learn where everything is located.
The default landing page is the Dashboard, which provides a quick snapshot of your account activity and statistics. In the top-right corner, you can also filter data by custom date ranges. This can be especially useful if your church wants to review trends during specific seasons, such as Christmas or Easter.
Messages: Viewing Conversations
The Messages section displays conversations happening between your church and the people connected to your account.
This area allows view-only users to monitor communication history without making changes. It’s a helpful way to stay informed about ongoing conversations, outreach efforts, and member engagement.
People: Understanding Contact Records
The People section contains everyone who has a contact record within the platform.
To receive messages through the system, a person must have a contact record that includes at least one of the following:
A phone number
A cell phone number
An email address
Ideally, contacts will include both a phone number and email address, but only one is required. The platform also prevents duplicate records, meaning each individual must have their own unique phone number and email address.
When you click into a contact, you can view:
Name
Phone number
Email address
Comments
Completed connect cards
Workflow participation
Group memberships
Giving information (if manually entered)
Message history
Activity logs
The Messages tab is especially useful because it shows the full conversation history between your church and that individual. The Logs section tracks any changes made to the contact record over time.
Groups: Managing Ministry Connections
The Groups section displays all groups created within your account.
Inside each group, you can view:
Group members
Associated workflows
Connected connect cards
Message history
Active or inactive status
One important feature is the keyword system. Each group can have a specific keyword attached to it. For example, if someone texts the word “WELCOME” to your church number, they may automatically be added to that group.
This makes it easier for churches to organize guests, ministry teams, event participants, or follow-up lists automatically.
Connect Cards: Collecting Information Digitally
Connect cards are digital forms designed to collect information from people interacting with your church.
Churches commonly use connect cards for:
Guest follow-up
Prayer requests
Event registration
VBS sign-ups
Volunteer interest forms
Within the Connect Cards section, view-only users can:
Preview connect cards
Copy direct links
Access automatically generated QR codes
Download QR codes
View reports and submissions
The reporting area is one of the most valuable tools available. It allows you to see submitted responses and export information as a CSV file for additional analysis or recordkeeping.
You can also view metrics showing how many times a connect card has been visited or completed.
Widgets: Website Integrations
The Widgets section contains tools that can be embedded directly into your church website.
With view-only access, you can see which widgets have already been created and understand how your church is using them online.
Automated Workflows
The Workflows section shows automated communication sequences connected to groups within your account.
A workflow is essentially a series of automated steps that guide communication with people in a specific group. For example, a guest follow-up workflow might include several scheduled text messages or emails over a set period of time.
Inside each workflow, you can view:
The number of steps included
Whether the workflow is active or inactive
Which groups are connected
Current participant activity
Even with view-only permissions, this section provides a helpful overview of your church’s communication automation strategy.
Settings and Account Information
Under Settings, you can view important account-level details, including:
Ministry name
Church logo
Phone numbers used for texting
Team and account ownership information
Depending on your church’s setup, you may see all available phone numbers or only the numbers assigned to your ministry area.
You can also identify the account holder and know who to contact if you have questions about permissions or account management.
Training and Support Resources
One of the most helpful parts of the platform is the collection of built-in support resources available to every user.
These include:
A searchable Help Center
On-demand training videos through the academy
Direct messaging support
Feedback submission tools
Product roadmap visibility
Free live help desk sessions offered twice weekly
These resources make it easier for new users to learn the platform and find answers quickly.
Final Thoughts
View-only permissions in Text In Church provide a comprehensive overview of your church’s communication system without allowing changes to core data or settings.
From monitoring conversations and reviewing connect cards to understanding workflows and group organization, view-only access gives ministry leaders and team members valuable visibility into how communication is happening across the church.
Whether you’re brand new to the platform or simply exploring your church’s setup, understanding these sections can help you navigate the account with confidence.