Rock RMS vs. The City (Discontinued)

Rock RMS is a great CMS for churches passionate about technology and innovation. It requires advanced developing skills to operate, which can be a challenge - but there are several partners available for contracting work. Successful usage of Rock RMS opens up the door for endless possibilities - from dynamic and beautiful websites, automations that serve both internal (staff) and external (customer) needs, and unending possibilities for innovative solutions!

The City would work well for a church who struggles to provide an easy way for members to connect and join groups. While the app has some drawbacks, as noted above, it beats allowing visitors and members to remain disconnected and in the dark about ways to involve themselves in church activities. Better to have this kind of ability to connect than none at all.

Incentivized

• Very customizable
• Content channels are powerful
• Web and mobile app integration

• View volunteering opportunities
• Find and join groups
• Submit prayer requests and join others in prayer
• Connect with other members

Incentivized

• Group Scheduler is missing some key features
• Event registrations aren't the most user friendly
• Security permissions are a challenge as we grow

• Seems the developer no longer supports the app
• User interface is difficult to navigate
• Often forces a sign out, thereby requiring you to sign in again
• Cumbersome search features

Incentivized

In my opinion, you will need to have developers on your team, or partner with contractors in order to get Rock RMS set up properly and keep in maintained. I think you will also need to have Rock RMS Super Users who can troubleshoot bugs and handle basic requests from internal staff. There are also several functions that every day staff use which are very user friendly (i.e. Group Viewer, content channels, Group Scheduler, communication templates.)

In my experience, Rock RMS is much more customizable, robust, and community focused than PCO. Planning Center's sweet spot is music management and volunteer scheduling, but I think Rock RMS outshines PCO with its integration of web sites and mobile apps, automations and jobs, workflows, and its focus on community. There are tons of free and paid plugins for Rock RMS, as well as multiple Rock RMS partners to choose from.

While I haven't used another social networking app built for churches, I have used an app built by another local church. The City makes connecting with members easier. The user experience is severely lacking in The City app. It does, however, facilitate connections between members.

Incentivized

• Fosters amazing data insights!
• Fast and efficient!
• New innovative solutions always being added!

• The City has made it easier to connect with people I met at church.
• It makes it simple to submit a prayer request and join others in prayer.
• It shows opportunities to get involved.

Incentivized