Introduction:
With a vision to develop an app for Citizen Church, I proposed the idea to the creative team, who embraced it enthusiastically and entrusted me with leading the project.
I began by researching the fundamentals, gathering information on development processes and pricing. Over the following months, I engaged in numerous phone calls with various companies, arranged online meetings to discuss platform options, and maintained continuous communication with both the creative team and church leadership to explore possibilities.
After thorough research and discussions, I met with the lead creative director and the vicar of the church to align on the app's vision and features. We envisioned the app as a central hub to connect the multi-site church, offering access to weekly sermons, regular updates, notifications, and diverse media content to all of their congregation across Cardiff and the Valleys.
Objective:
The primary goal of the app was to serve as the home and hub for Citizen Church, providing easy access to everything church members might need.
A key focus was to utilise the media features to organise all previous series and services. The app allows users to filter media to find services based on specific sections of the Bible or particular topics, offering a more efficient way to access teachings compared to their YouTube channel.
Additionally, the app was designed to seamlessly link with a new website on the same platform, ensuring a cohesive digital experience.
Platform:
We chose Subsplash, it is the industry-leading company for church apps, known for its advanced functionality, excellent customer service, and comprehensive teaching resources.
The platform allows for the development of a sophisticated app at a relatively affordable cost—just a few thousand pounds per year, compared to the tens or hundreds of thousands required for a custom-designed app.
We opted for the Subsplash One system, which includes a fully custom app (available on all app stores), a website, and church management software. A significant feature of this system is the substantial storage capacity—about 5 terabytes—sufficient to store all of our past and future media for years to come.
Features:
Video Player: Allows users to watch past services and sermon series, providing easy access to visual content.
Audio Player: Enables users to listen to sermons and other audio content on-the-go.
Push Notifications: Keeps the congregation informed with timely updates and important announcements.
Digital Bulletins: Offers a convenient way to distribute weekly bulletins and other important information digitally.
Google Cast and Airplay: Facilitates streaming of content to larger screens, enhancing group viewing experiences.
Bible and Reading Plans: Provides access to the Bible and structured reading plans to support spiritual growth.
Blogs and Devotionals: Delivers written content to inspire and educate the congregation.
Notes and Fill-in-Notes: Allows users to take notes during sermons and fill in pre-provided outlines, aiding in personal reflection and study.
Digital Forms: Simplifies the process of collecting information and feedback from the congregation.
In-App Messaging: Centralises all church-related messaging, reducing the need for various group chats on different platforms and enhancing community interaction.
Live Streaming: Streams live services and events, enabling real-time participation from remote locations.
Events Calendar: Keeps users informed about upcoming events, ensuring they don't miss important church activities.
These features collectively serve to enhance the digital experience of Citizen for it's congregation, and bring them together from all three campuses.
Challenges & Solutions:
Throughout the development process, several challenges arose, primarily related to communication and platform limitations.
One significant challenge was ensuring clear communication with the team. With multiple stakeholders involved, it was sometimes difficult to align everyone's vision and expectations. Regular meetings and updates helped mitigate this issue, ensuring that everyone remained on the same page and that any miscommunications were promptly addressed.
Another challenge was the limitation of the Subsplash platform, which, while offering numerous features, did not allow for complete customisation. Some visions could not be carried out exactly as imagined due to these platform constraints. However, this limitation inspired creative thinking and ideation, enabling us to achieve our desired outcomes in slightly different ways.
Given that Subsplash is a cost-effective platform used by hundreds of churches worldwide, certain aspects could not be tailored specifically to our unique needs. Nevertheless, we found ways to work around these limitations by leveraging the platform's existing features and creatively integrating additional tools and resources to fulfill our specific requirements.
Conclusion:
Since its launch in February 2023, the app has been embraced by the Citizen Church community, with over 1500 downloads and regular usage. Its presence has significantly impacted the church's operations and engagement with its members.
The app has provided a centralised platform for accessing church resources, connecting with the community, and staying informed about upcoming events and activities.
Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features have enhanced the digital experience for church members, making it easier to stay connected and engaged with the church's teachings and activities.
Thank you for taking the time to look through this project in all its detail, please visit www.nathandesigns.uk to view more of my design work!
