Planning Center Resources

At Church of the Lamb, we believe that tools like Planning Center help us stay connected as we serve, worship, and care for one another. These tools don’t replace our fellowship — they simply make it easier to organize, communicate, and live out our shared calling as the family of God.

Join the Directory Check Your Schedule Give Online Find a Parish Group

Overview of Planning Center

Planning Center is a suite of tools that helps churches stay organized and connected. At Church of the Lamb, we use it to coordinate worship services, schedule volunteers, support parish groups, facilitate giving, and maintain our church directory.

Download the apps: Church Center (App Store) · Church Center (Google Play) · Services (App Store) · Services (Google Play)

[Insert screenshot: Church Center home screen]
More help centers

Planning Center for Volunteers

Volunteers are essential to our Sunday worship. Whether you serve in music, tech, children’s ministry, hospitality, or elsewhere, the Services app helps you view your schedule, accept/decline requests, set preferences for 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM, and block out dates you’re unavailable.

Set up your Services account

  1. Go to services.planningcenteronline.com or open the Planning Center Services app.
  2. Sign in with the email your ministry leader used to add you.
  3. Create your password, then open My Schedule to see upcoming assignments.

Tutorial: Getting Started for Volunteers

[Insert screenshot: Services app schedule view]

Set your serving preferences & block out dates

  1. Open My Schedule → Preferences.
  2. Choose your preferred service times (9:00 AM or 11:00 AM).
  3. To take time off: Blockout Dates → Add Blockout → choose dates → Save.

Help: Account & Preferences (Services)

[Insert screenshot: Preferences + Blockout dates]

Navigating Services (app + web)

  • Plans tab: see your upcoming service plans and positions.
  • Accept/Decline: respond to scheduling requests in each plan.
  • Email/Text teams (leaders): from a plan → Teams → Email/Text.

Guide: Communicate with your teams

Volunteer responsibility: If you cannot serve on a date you’re scheduled, you are responsible for finding a substitute before Thursday of that week. If it’s after Thursday, contact your team lead so they can help find a replacement. Always Accept or Decline requests so leaders have an accurate roster.

More references: Services — Volunteer docs

[Insert screenshot: Accept/Decline request]

Navigating the Church Directory

The Church Directory helps us stay connected and care for one another. Members opt in to share their information.

Access the directory (Church Center)

  1. Open the Church Center app or web.
  2. Tap Directory on the home screen.
  3. View other members who have opted in.

Overview: Directory Overview (Support)

[Insert screenshot: Church Center Directory view]

Update your information

  1. Tap Profile → Edit to update your phone, email, address, or photo.
  2. Choose which details you’d like to share in the directory.
  3. Save Changes.

Guide: Editing your profile

Giving with Planning Center

Giving through Church Center is secure, simple, and lets you access giving history and statements anytime. Processing is powered by Stripe.

Benefits

  • One-time or recurring gifts.
  • Encrypted, secure processing (Stripe).
  • Instant receipts and annual statements.
  • Less administrative work for staff.

Current processing fees (USA)

  • Credit/Debit: 2.15% + $0.30 per donation
  • ACH (bank transfer): $0.30 per donation (no percentage fee)

See official pricing and calculator: Giving Pricing and Giving product page. Recent improvements: Donation form beta, Refreshed “My Giving” (Nov 2025).

How to give (Church Center)

  1. Open your church’s Church Center Giving page (or the Giving tab in the app).
  2. Enter an amount and choose your fund (e.g., Tithes & Offerings).
  3. Select One-time or Recurring; choose start date/frequency if recurring.
  4. Add your payment method (bank account for ACH or card).
  5. Tap Give Now.

Tutorial: How to Give Online

[Insert screenshot: Giving setup screen]

Groups with Planning Center (Parish Groups)

Our Parish Groups are where we share life, pray, and grow together.

For members (finding & using your group)

  • Open Church Center → Groups.
  • Browse/search for your parish group; tap to open the group page.
  • Use Messages to communicate; check Events and RSVP.

Help: Join a Group on Church Center

[Insert screenshot: Church Center Group page]

For parish leaders (managing your group)

  1. In your group, tap Admin → Edit Group Details (meeting time, location, description).
  2. Messages → New Message to email or message members.
  3. Events → Add Event to schedule meetings; track attendance.
  4. Adjust visibility/enrollment so people can find or join the group.

Leader docs: Manage group settings · Add & Manage Members · Common Groups lists

Back to top ↑