Tired of clunky software?
Meet the simple Alternative.
If you feel like you need a degree in IT just to schedule a drummer and print a run sheet, you aren't alone. Discover why modern churches are switching to Ministry Order.
See Pricing & Start TrialWhy do churches switch?
Legacy church software was built over a decade ago. It’s powerful, but it's also bloated, confusing for volunteers, and expensive. We built Ministry Order to solve the everyday problems of a Sunday morning, without the 15-step learning curve.
Legacy Software
- Confusing navigation and menus that require staff training to understand.
- "Module" pricing that charges you separately for services, check-ins, and giving.
- Relies heavily on emails that get lost in spam folders.
- Feels like you are working inside a complicated spreadsheet.
Ministry Order
- Modern & Intuitive: Designed to look and feel like the apps you already use every day.
- One Simple Price: $20/month for up to 200 users. No modules, no hidden fees.
- Push Notifications: Instantly ping volunteers on their phones so they can accept roles in one tap.
- Live Broadcast Mode: Built-in confidence monitors and stage clocks right out of the box.
Built for Sunday Mornings.
You shouldn’t have to fight your software on a Sunday morning. Whether you are dragging and dropping service items, assigning the worship team, or firing up a countdown clock on a stage display, Ministry Order stays out of your way.
Volunteers can see their upcoming schedules, manage their blackout dates, and accept requests directly from the beautiful iOS and Android apps.
Ministry Order vs Planning Center Services
An honest comparison. Planning Center is a capable, mature platform used by thousands of churches. The differences below are about fit, not quality — larger churches with dedicated staff often want the depth it offers.
| Feature | Ministry Order | Planning Center Services |
|---|---|---|
| Service order planning | Drag-and-drop, with running times calculated automatically | Full-featured, with more configuration options |
| Volunteer scheduling | Assign a position, send requests, accept or decline in the app | Scheduling with automated rotation and conflict rules |
| Call time reminders | Automatic push one hour before each team's call time | Reminder emails and texts, configurable |
| Per-team call times | Each team sets its own; reminders follow it | Supported per team |
| Blackout dates | Volunteers set their own; leaders are warned before assigning | Blockout dates with approval workflow |
| Live mode for Sunday | Built in — countdown clock and current item on screen | Available through a separate product |
| Setup time | Minutes — add people, build teams, create an event | Longer; more concepts to learn up front |
| Modules to buy | One app, one price | Separate products for Services, People, Giving and more |
| Best suited to | Churches wanting Sunday handled without a learning curve | Larger churches with staff to configure and maintain it |
Planning Center is a trademark of Ministry Centered Technologies. Ministry Order is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Feature details reflect our understanding at the time of writing — check their site for current information.
Switching from Planning Center
1. Add your people
Export your team list from Planning Center, then add people in the Manage tab with their name and email. Each person gets an invite to download the app and set a password. Nobody has to be added twice — an email already on your team is rejected before it creates a duplicate.
2. Rebuild your teams and positions
Create a team — Band, Production, Ushers — then add the positions it needs, like Bassist or Camera Operator. Positions belong to the team, so two teams can both have a "Photographer" without conflict. If several teams share a position name, you can copy it across rather than retyping.
3. Build your first service
Create an event, set the date and start time, then drag items into the order. Each item carries a duration, so running times update as you move things. Add your teams and set each one's call time.
4. Send requests and let the app chase
Assign people to positions, then send the requests in one go. Volunteers accept or decline from their phone. An hour before their call time, everyone who accepted gets a reminder naming their position and time — so nobody has to be phoned on Saturday night.
Common questions
Is Ministry Order cheaper than Planning Center?
Ministry Order is one flat subscription covering up to 200 people, with no separate modules to add. Planning Center prices each product separately and scales with the number of people, so the comparison depends on which of their products you use. See our pricing for current figures.
Can volunteers use it without a computer?
Yes. Volunteers only need the iOS or Android app. They see their schedule, accept or decline requests, set blackout dates, and get call time reminders. Leaders can plan on the web or in the app.
Do volunteers get reminded before a service?
Automatically. One hour before their team's call time, anyone who accepted a position gets a push notification naming the position, the service and the call time. People who declined or haven't responded aren't notified. Volunteers can turn reminders off in their profile.
What happens if someone declines at the last minute?
Their row turns red and moves to the bottom of the team, so the people still available are what you see first. You can reassign the position from the same screen — the picker shows your team roster first, then anyone else serving that day, who are usually the easiest cover.
Can I try it before paying?
Yes — start a trial from the Get Started page. No card is needed to look around.
Does it replace Planning Center entirely?
It replaces Services — service planning and volunteer scheduling. It doesn't do giving, church-wide membership records or check-in. If you rely on those, Planning Center's suite may suit you better, and we'd rather say so than waste your time.