How Push Notifications and Text Messaging Help Churches Boost Engagement With Tithely

How Push Notifications and Text Messaging Help Churches Boost Engagement With Tithely

Staying connected with your church community between Sundays has never been more important-or more challenging. With busy schedules, limited staff, and digital distractions, many churches struggle to maintain regular, effective communication with their congregation. That's where Tithely's Church App and Breeze's simplified SMS setup come in. These tools offer automated messaging capabilities that help churches engage with their members consistently and with minimal effort.

The Need for Smarter Church Communication

In a world where smartphones dominate communication, churches need tools that align with how people consume information. Traditional communication channels like bulletin announcements and email newsletters often go unnoticed or unopened. Tithely's communication features allow ministries to stay connected by sending timely, relevant messages directly to mobile devices.

Mobile communication is especially important for churches because a vast majority of Americans own a smartphone, making it the most accessible platform for outreach. Push notifications, in particular, are highly effective and significantly outperform email. With real-time messaging and direct access, churches can increase engagement and create stronger ties with their communities.

Without modern communication tools, many churches find themselves facing several obstacles. Messages may not reach members in time, event participation may suffer due to a lack of awareness, and church staff may be burdened with time-consuming administrative tasks. These challenges make it difficult to build consistent and meaningful connections outside of Sunday services.

Automating Engagement With Push Notifications

Push notifications are short, real-time alerts sent directly to a user's smartphone via the church's app. These messages appear on the lock screen or notification bar, ensuring they are seen promptly. With Tithely, churches can schedule these notifications in advance or send them instantly, all without requiring additional app interaction from the recipient.

Automated push notifications offer multiple benefits. First, they save church leaders valuable time by allowing them to pre-schedule recurring messages, such as weekly reminders or devotionals. Second, they ensure consistent communication without requiring daily effort from staff. And finally, push notifications provide a reliable way to keep members informed and engaged between services.

Churches have found success using push notifications in various ways. Some send reminders on Sunday mornings to prompt attendance. Others use them to notify volunteers of upcoming shifts or to share encouraging scriptures during the week. They're also helpful for promoting special events like baptisms, mission trips, or seasonal programs.

Best Practices for Push Notifications

To make the most of push notifications, churches should aim for clarity and consistency. Messages should be short, direct, and focused on prompting action-whether it's attending a service, joining a small group, or volunteering for an event. Keeping a regular cadence (such as midweek devotionals or Saturday reminders) helps members know when to expect updates.

It's also important to avoid overloading users. Too many notifications can lead to disengagement. A good rule of thumb is to send only what's helpful and timely. Messages should reflect the church's tone and voice, reinforcing a sense of familiarity and trust.

To boost participation, churches should encourage members to download the app and enable notifications. This can be done during services, through printed materials, or in follow-up emails. Offering early access to content or exclusive updates through the app can also incentivize signups.

Simpler Church Text Messaging With Breeze

For churches that use Breeze Church Management Software, Tithely has made SMS messaging more accessible than ever. The new streamlined setup removes technical barriers, allowing ministries to send group messages directly through the Breeze dashboard–no third-party platforms or integrations required.

What makes this even more convenient is the removal of the previous double opt-in requirement. In the past, members had to complete an extra step to receive messages, which could slow down communication efforts. With that step eliminated, churches can more easily build their contact lists and ensure their messages are delivered quickly and compliantly.

This update is especially beneficial for small churches or tech-light teams. With contact information already stored in Breeze, sending an announcement or reminder is as simple as selecting the group and composing a message. Whether it's an urgent weather update or a last-minute volunteer need, churches can count on reliable delivery.

When To Use Push Notifications vs. Text Messaging

Both push notifications and text messaging serve valuable roles in a church's communication strategy. Understanding when to use each helps churches maximize their impact.
Push notifications are ideal for general updates, devotionals, reminders, and engagement throughout the week. Because they're non-intrusive and easy to automate, they help create a rhythm of connection that doesn't require immediate attention.

Text messaging, on the other hand, is best used for urgent updates or personal messages. For example, alerting members about a last-minute event cancellation or reminding a youth group about a location change can be most effectively handled via SMS.

By combining both tools, churches can create a well-rounded communication plan. Use push notifications to nurture ongoing engagement, and reserve text messages for timely, action-based communication.

How To Get Started With Tithely Communication Tools

Getting started with Tithely's communication tools is a simple process. Churches interested in the Church App can customize it through the Tithely dashboard, adding logos, media, giving options, and push notification settings. Once launched, leaders can manage notifications with just a few clicks.

For Breeze SMS users, setup is integrated directly into the existing dashboard. Staff can create messages, select recipients from their contact list, and schedule or send instantly-all within the Breeze platform.

Both tools include user-friendly analytics, helping churches track which messages perform best and when members are most engaged.

Why It Matters

Effective communication isn't just a tech upgrade; it's a ministry strategy. By using modern tools like the Tithely Church App and Breeze SMS, churches are better equipped to build relationships, respond to needs, and encourage spiritual growth. These features reduce communication barriers and free up staff time for ministry.

Whether sharing a midweek devotional, notifying volunteers of schedule changes, or inviting members to an upcoming event, digital tools make it easy to reach people where they are on their phones. That accessibility turns occasional attendees into active participants and supports the mission of the church beyond Sunday.

Church Impact

When churches implement tools like push notifications and simplified text messaging, they often see immediate results. More members show up to events. Volunteers respond faster. Families stay informed and engaged. And most importantly, the church becomes a daily presence in the lives of its members-not just a place they visit on weekends.

These communication tools allow ministries to stay connected with less effort and more consistency, building stronger communities rooted in shared purpose and regular interaction.

Ready To Engage Your Congregation More Effectively?

Tithely's Church App and Breeze text messaging tools make communication simple, consistent, and impactful. Explore how your church can benefit from automated push notifications and streamlined texting today. Visit Tithely to get started.