The Database—One Source of Truth

The Platform is your "one source of truth" for data at your church. Instead of having independent silos of disconnected data, a single source of truth connects all your data so you can serve your people well. This increases accuracy and insight and makes sure that everyone is working with the same information. It's great when a ministry leader or staff member learns of a congregant update (think new address or new baby). But it's not so great when that information isn't updated in the Platform (like updating a personal address book). 

Think of the Platform as a very large filing cabinet with many drawers. Each drawer holds files that can be accessed and viewed as needed. The rest of the system provides tools for reading or writing to this single source. This means that, if the Platform is your one source of truth, every time you access the file cabinet, the information will be correct.

The Many Parts—Applications & Services

But wait, there's more! There are many parts of the Platform built on top of the database. You'll be interacting with most (if not all) of them, so get familiar with these different pieces.

Here's a basic introduction. If you're feeling adventurous or know you'll be using a specific part of the Platform, you can follow the links to learn more.

• Core Applications and Service
  • The Platform is the core application used to view and update data and is primarily used by church staff. 
  • The API provides services for developers to create custom features and applications on top of the platform.
• Reports & Routines
  • Reports are launched by the Platform and present useful data. They can be printed or exported.
  • Routines also run automatically in the database, sending Notifications or running up-to-date calculations.
• Web Applications
  • Widgets are mobile-friendly applications designed to display on specific pages of your website. They add valuable functionality directly to your website, allowing guests to conduct business with your church in a safe manner that is instantly captured in the MinistryPlatform database.
  • The Check-In Suite is used for checking in to Events, especially in your Children's Ministry for ensuring the safety of your kiddos. 
• Web Cloud Applications in the Cloud
  • Our Cloud Server provides a shared infrastructure for more robust features and rapid release cycles.
    BatchManager and Tools run in the cloud and access your database via the API.
  • The BatchManager Tool (BMT) supports scanning and batching of your church's donations.  
  • Tools provide many features for specific scenarios. These are accessed in the Platform.