Church Center FAQ
Have questions about the Church Center app? Scroll down, or click an icon below to jump to a section.
General Questions
What is Church Center and why should you use it
Groups
How to find or join small groups
Getting Started
How to download and navigate the app
Giving
How to give through the app
Your Information
How to update your profile and access the directory
Contact
Still have questions or need more assistance
General Questions
What is Church Center?
Church Center is Heritage Church’s new app and online hub. It will help you stay connected, find groups, register for events, manage giving, view the church calendar, and more—all in one convenient place.
Why is Heritage switching to Church Center?
As Heritage grows and prepares to become a multi-campus church, we need a system that is modern, easy to use, and able to grow with us. Church Center will help our congregation, ministry leaders, and staff stay connected and organized across both campuses.
Is Church Center replacing Realm Connect?
Yes. Church Center will gradually replace Realm Connect as the primary app our congregation uses. We will communicate important dates and instructions as different features are transitioned.
Is Church Center the same as Planning Center?
Planning Center is the system our staff and ministry leaders use to manage church information and ministries. Church Center is the congregation-facing app connected to Planning Center.
What can I do in Church Center?
As features are added, you will be able to:
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View upcoming events and church information
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Register and pay for events
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Find and connect with groups
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Communicate with your group
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Manage your volunteer schedule
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Give online and view your donation history
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Update your personal and household information
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Access the church directory after accepting an invitation
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Check in children for certain activities
Some features may not be available immediately during the rollout. The anticipated full-access date is September 1.
Getting Started
How do I download the app?
Scan the Heritage Church Center QR code or search for “Church Center” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. After downloading it, search for Heritage Church using our name or location and select our church. You may also access Church Center through a web browser without downloading the app.
Do I need to create a password?
No. Church Center uses your mobile phone number or email address to identify you. It will send you a verification code each time you need to sign in on a new device. Please use the phone number or email address already associated with your Heritage Church profile whenever possible.
Does Church Center cost anything?
No. The Church Center app is free for you to download and use.
Will Church Center send me notifications?
You can choose whether to receive app notifications. Group leaders and ministry teams may use notifications, email, or chat messages to communicate important information. Please keep your contact information current so you do not miss updates.
What if I don’t have a smartphone?
You can access most Church Center features from a computer or tablet using our Church Center website. You may also contact the church office or visit the Help Desk for assistance with registrations, giving, or profile updates.
Where can I get help?
Visit the Church Center Help Desk after Sunday services throughout August. Our volunteers can help you:
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Download and locate the app
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Sign in to your existing profile
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Review your contact and household information
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Accept your directory invitation
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Adjust your directory privacy settings
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Take and upload a profile photo
You may also contact the Heritage Church office during the week for assistance.
What should I do first?
Start with these three steps:
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Download the Church Center app.
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Find Heritage Church and sign in using your mobile number or email address.
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Review your personal and household information.
Your Information
How did Church Center get my information?
We transferred our church data from Realm into Church Center. If you have previously used Realm or Realm Connect, filled out a connection card, or given tithes and offerings, your information from Realm was added to Church Center.
What if Church Center cannot find my profile?
First, try another phone number or email address that you may have previously provided to the church. If you still cannot locate your profile, contact the church office. They will help you identify your records or set up a new profile.
How do I update my contact information?
Tap your profile picture or initials in the upper corner of Church Center, select your profile, and choose the information you want to update. You can review your phone number, email address, mailing address, and other available information. Some information may need to be updated by the church office.
Can I update information for everyone in my household?
Adults may be able to view and update certain information for members of their household, especially children. If someone is missing, listed incorrectly, or attached to the wrong household, please contact the church office rather than creating a duplicate profile.
Does Church Center include a church directory?
Yes, but the directory is optional and invitation-only. After the initial Church Center rollout, eligible participants will receive an invitation to join the directory. You must accept the invitation before you can view the directory or be included in it.
What information will appear in the directory?
You control which available contact information is shared. Joining the directory does not automatically make all your information public. Only other invited directory participants can view the information you choose to share.
Can I add or change my directory photo?
Yes. Once you have accepted the directory invitation, you can select or upload a photo for yourself and participating members of your household. We will also offer opportunities on Sundays to have a new photo taken and receive help uploading it.
Will my children appear in the directory?
Parents or guardians control whether eligible children in their household appear and what information is shared. We
recommend using care and limiting children’s publicly displayed contact information.
Groups
How do I join a group?
Open the Groups section to browse groups that are available to the public. Select a group to learn more or request to join. If you already belong to a Heritage group, it will appear automatically after you sign in with the correct profile.
Why don’t I see a certain group or event?
Some groups, events, and registrations are available only to specific participants or may not have been added yet. Church Center is being introduced in stages, so additional information and features will continue to appear.
Giving
Will I still be able to give online?
Yes. Online giving will be available through Church Center. We will provide specific instructions about when to begin using the new giving system and what, if anything, you need to do about an existing recurring gift. Please do not create a replacement recurring gift until Heritage announces that it is time to make that change.
I have a recurring payment on Realm, will it automatically transfer to Church Center?
No. Any payment information saved in Realm will need to be added to Church Center. Any recurring payments will need to be added to Church Center. The current plan is to stop all giving through Realm on August 31, and start in Church Center on September 1. If you have specific questions about your giving information, please contact the office.
Will my previous giving history appear in Church Center?
We will transfer 2026 giving records, so all of your information for this calendar year will be in one place. Giving records transferred to Planning Center will be associated with your profile. During the transition, it may take time for all available history to appear. If something seems incorrect, please contact the church office.
