PastorsLine vs. Text In Church

Last edited: January 2021

We think that Text in Church is a great company that serves many churches. This guide is for information only and isn't updated regularly. It's based on publically shared information only. Please use this guide only as a reference point in your research as you make the best-informed decision based on your specific needs, goals or circumstances. 

We are the first to agree that there are a lot of good, church-focused, bulk text and calling solutions on the market at the moment, but since you are only going to choose ONE of them, it makes sense to select the one that best fits the needs of your ministry.

To help you make your best-informed decision, we decided to do a comparison between PastorsLine and Text In Church.

After looking at the details, check out the comparison chart at the bottom.

To be totally upfront, it’s clear that we have an opinion on the matter. However, we have done our best to be accurate in the facts we present. Should you feel we have erred or misrepresented anything, please give us a call 844-285-1815 or pop us an email ([email protected]) so we can clear up the confusion.

***Our Newest Difference: Short code Keywords***

Once, short codes were spammy. Now, they are much the opposite.

Why is the short code important?
The short code is already the recommended option for any bulk text messaging in order to avoid your messages being classified as “spam” by the mobile carriers. In addition, you will be able to trigger important campaigns using a short and easy to remember code; in our case, our shared, leased short code; 77411.

What are short code keywords?
Keywords are WORDS or PHRASES you can set up within PastorsLine to trigger a specific campaign (autoreply or data capture text bot). Short code keywords are those triggers which are used with our leased US shortcode, 77411. Since this shortcode is shared by all of our church partners, the triggers have to be unique to each church.

Try it: Text WELCOME to 77411.

Why did you lease a shared short code?
Basically, sharing the cost makes it more affordable for everyone. Purchasing your own short code costs a minimum of $1000/m for a randomly assigned short code.

Here are some more comparison points to consider...

1. PastorsLine’s features help your church to more effectively reach, connect and engage with your members and first-time guests in order to build deeper, more natural relationships.

• Advanced data capture (FKA autoresponder)—Capturing contact data in a non-intrusive, digital way is a top priority. PastorsLine offers more than the basic autoreply to a link so you can capture additional information like name, email and birthday without having your subscriber leave their chat application. You are likely to get the data as it’s captured in a more organic way.

• Voice broadcasting (or voice messaging)—Contact doesn’t use texting? Connect by voice. Contact not in? Leave a warmer, friendlier communication in their voicemail.
• Voice call forwarding—What about if you are not in? Your callers will hear a personalized message informing them that their call will now be transferred to your voicemail. All messages are shown within the same thread to show you a history of the communication.
• Outboard 1-on-1—You already have a unique local number for your church or ministry. Being able to not only receive but make calls from the same caller ID can ensure a synergistic communication solution that isn’t tied to your personal phone line.

• Birthday campaigns—Getting a ‘just for you’ text on their birthday touches most people in a positive, caring way. They know you care, even after you have gotten them into your disciple process. Great way to save administrative time as well as it’s 100% automated from birthday date capture to automated personalized text.
• Contests—This a great opportunity to get your guest to attend an event or your regular members to engage on your program while also capturing their data. It makes it easy to randomly pick a winner and send a message via text. People are motivated to participate and that’s what we’re after, right?
• Live polling—Imagine an event at your church...perhaps a concert, an evangelical gathering, or a community-church health fair. Asking your participants to give real time feedback lets you know exactly what they are thinking so you can change things up to better meet their needs. Then you have a segmented list of cell phone contacts to follow up with after the event and continue to engage / move along to the next steps.
• More than one number—PastorsLine offers you the option of dedicating specific numbers to specific purposes (or people) for a more personal engagement. You can pick a unique local 10 digit number for each person on your team and create a virtual cell phone network. Alternatively, you can mix and match, allowing people to share the same lines.

2. PastorsLine integrates with many of the platforms you are already using. See our list of updated integrations below.

3. PastorsLine is priced for church communication. Comparing apples to apples, PastorsLine’s adjusted cost for 1500 texts is $37.50 per month as opposed to their $67. Also, you don’t have to jump in at the deep end: the smallest plan is $10 compared to their $37. Best of all, the free trial DOES NOT ask for credit card details and lasts for 30 days instead of 14.

4. PastorsLine gives you better feedback on where you are and where you need to go. Basic analytics and reporting just doesn’t cut it for today’s churches so PastorsLine has advanced capabilities built-in. It would be important to know how your mobile strategy is working, right? Track your success via stats such as opt-in rates and click-throughs—all easily accessible via your PastorsLine dashboard.

Sounds like PastorsLine can take us to the next level. We’re in for the free trial. ( https://my.pastorsline.com/register )

It’s interesting but I’m not sure yet. I’d like to find out more. ( link to eBook )