Most church software is built for megachurches with dedicated IT staff and big budgets. But that's not most churches. Here's why we chose a different path.
Industry research paints a clear picture: most churches are small, volunteer-led, and budget-conscious
70%
of churches have 100 or fewer weekly attendees
Faith Communities Today Study, 2020
65
is the median weekly church attendance in America
Hartford Institute Research
47%
of evangelical pastors are bivocational
Lifeway Research
31%
of churches have fewer than 50 people
Lifeway Research
Source: Lifeway Research, Faith Communities Today
Source: National Congregations Study 2021
The church management software industry has a mismatch problem. Most products are designed for large churches with dedicated staff, big budgets, and complex needs.
"Church management tools are often designed for larger churches, featuring a breadth of complex functions that may overwhelm a small church's needs."
"Most church management software tools are overkill for the needs of a small church or church plant."
"Adopting a new system demands time for training and onboarding. Smaller churches may not have the time or resources to invest in such a transition."
Sources: The Lead Pastor, ChMeetings, Tabernacle App research
40%
of churches have fewer than 50 committed members - not enough to support a full-time pastor
50%
of all churches cannot provide a liveable income for their pastors
1:34
Staff-to-attendee ratio in small churches (vs 1:46 in large churches) - meaning small churches are already stretched thin
Sources: Pastoral Care Inc., The Unstuck Group
Research confirms what small church leaders already know: simpler tools work better
Churches using easy-to-use tools see 23% more engagement across all age groups. The research is clear: complexity doesn't equal capability.
Source: Church Software Research, 2024
"For a small church, affordability and simplicity are key. Small churches need software that's powerful but not overwhelming."
- ChMeetings Research
"If you're a small church, you're likely looking for simplicity, affordability, and something volunteers can actually use without training manuals."
- The Lead Pastor
"An all-in-one platform simplifies everything. For small and medium churches, this can be a lifesaver because it reduces complexity and training needs."
- Gracely.io
We built TimelyChurch from the ground up for the churches that others overlook
Not a 14-day trial. Not a limited demo. A genuinely free plan with real features that a small church can use indefinitely. Because ministry shouldn't wait for budget approval.
If a bivocational pastor can't figure it out during their lunch break, we failed. Every feature is designed to be intuitive from day one. No training videos required.
47% of pastors have another job. They're managing church during lunch breaks and after hours. TimelyChurch works beautifully on any device, anywhere.
Small churches run on volunteers. Our interface is simple enough that your 70-year-old treasurer can use it, and your teenage tech volunteer will love it.
Members, events, check-in, giving, communication, volunteers - all in one place. No need to stitch together 5 different tools. One login, one system, one price.
We're not venture-backed to chase enterprise deals. We exist to serve small churches well. Your feedback shapes our roadmap, not what the biggest customer wants.
The data on this page comes from respected research organizations
Join the churches that have found software that actually fits their size, budget, and volunteer-led reality.