Planning Center FAQ

Why are we moving to Planning Centre?

Our current database, Elvanto has served us well, but Planning Center makes it easier for our staff team to manage key processes. We also expect it to improve your experience when registering for events, checking serving rosters, and collecting name tags on Sundays.

What will change for me?

The most immediate and obvious change will be how you search for your nametags on Sunday (see below). If you are on a serving team, the way you respond to serving notifications and where you will go to look for your roster will be different. We are still in the process of setting this up so stay tuned for more information.

Why are there so many icons?

Planning Center uses a number of different “modules” to manage information and processes. For example we have already been using the Registration module for large events like Staycation and Winter Camp. The People module is where we keep your names and contact details and the Check-in module pulls those details across to print nametags on Sunday. We will also be using the Services module for serving on Sundays as well as Groups and Calendar to manage those processes. All of the modules talk to each other and they all use the same security protocols to keep your data safe (see below).

How do I get a name tag on Sunday?

Wearing a name tag helps us create a welcoming community where people can connect more easily, especially for newcomers or those we don’t know well yet. It also helps our team stay aware of who’s around so we can provide appropriate pastoral care and support.

To get a name tag, use your phone number (or the last 4 digits) to search for yourself at a check-in kiosk. If in doubt you can watch our video for more information.

What if I don’t have a phone number? Or don’t want to give my contact details?

You can ask an usher or welcomer to help you print out your name tag at the welcome kiosk. If you attend church regularly or see yourself as a member; sharing your contact details helps us stay connected as a church community. It allows us to keep you informed about events and opportunities, and ensures we can reach out to offer care and support when needed.

Is my data safe?

We take your privacy seriously and use trusted systems to help care for our church community. Planning Center follows industry‑standard security practices such as SOC2 certification and PCI compliance and is independently audited to ensure strong data protection. Your information is kept secure both when it’s stored and when it’s accessed, using modern encryption methods. Ongoing testing and security reviews help ensure your information continues to be protected.

The Barneys staff team and key leaders (eg. service team leaders) only have access to the appropriate level of data required to do their jobs.

You can find out more information about Planning Center’s data security here and you can read Barneys’ Privacy Policy here.

Whats the timeline?

On 26th June we will export all data from Elvanto to Planning Center People. From 28th June (Sunday) we’ll begin using the new check-in system for printing name tags and checking children into the kids’ program.

From 28th June to 2nd August we will continue transferring service rosters, planning, and other information into different Planning Center modules.

If you’re affected, your team leader or a staff member will contact you with details on how to access what you need.

What if I’m still getting notifications from Elvanto?

We will do our best not to duplicate notifications and messages but please do be patient as we work through this transition period.

What if my question hasn’t been answered here?

Please email us at planningcenter@barneys.org.au and we will do our best to answer your question!