Migration to Relius

Quick Summary: Switching church management systems doesn't have to be scary—we've designed Relius migration to be smooth, supported, and stress-free.

Overview

Changing your church management system is a big decision. You're not just moving data—you're trusting a new platform with the heart of your ministry. We understand the weight of this decision, and we've built our migration process to honor it.

Whether you're coming from Planning Center, ChurchTrac, FellowshipOne, or another system, we'll walk beside you through every step. Our migration team has helped hundreds of churches transition, and we've learned what works (and what causes headaches). You're not alone in this.

This guide gives you the big picture—what migrates, what doesn't, and what the timeline looks like. From there, you can dive into platform-specific guides for detailed steps. Let's make this transition as painless as possible.

Why Switch to Relius?

Before we talk logistics, let's talk "why." You might be considering Relius because:

• Your current system is expensive: Relius offers all-in-one pricing without per-module fees or surprise charges.
• AI features excite you: Automated sermon planning, smart donor insights, and burnout prevention for volunteers—Relius brings AI to ministry in practical ways.
• You want modern, intuitive software: If your current system feels clunky or outdated, Relius is built with modern UX and mobile-first design.
• Consolidation matters: Manage people, giving, events, communications, and website in one platform instead of juggling multiple tools.
• Support actually supports: You need a partner, not a ticket queue. Relius offers responsive, ministry-aware support.

Whatever your reason, we're honored you're considering the move. Let's make it happen smoothly.

Key Concepts

• Data Migration: Transferring your existing information (people, families, groups, giving records) into Relius.
• Field Mapping: Matching data fields from your old system to Relius fields (e.g., "household" becomes "family").
• Parallel Running: Using both systems simultaneously during a transition period to ensure nothing is lost.
• Cutover Date: The official date you stop using your old system and go fully live with Relius.
• Migration Specialist: A Relius team member assigned to guide your church through the entire process.

What Transfers to Relius

Most critical data migrates successfully. Here's what typically comes over:

Migration Process Timeline

Here's what a typical migration looks like from start to finish:

Week 1: Planning & Kickoff

• Meet with your Migration Specialist
• Review your current data structure
• Identify customizations and special requirements
• Set a target cutover date (usually 4-6 weeks out)

Week 2-3: Data Preparation

• Export data from your current system
• Clean up duplicate records or outdated information
• Map custom fields to Relius equivalents
• Run a test migration to spot issues

Week 4: Training & Parallel Running

• Train staff and key volunteers on Relius
• Start entering new data in Relius while maintaining old system
• Test workflows, communications, and giving processes
• Address any hiccups or questions

Week 5-6: Final Migration & Launch

• Perform final data migration (includes records added since test migration)
• Verify all critical data transferred correctly
• Announce cutover date to staff and congregation
• Go live! 🎉

Week 7+: Ongoing Support

• Your Migration Specialist remains available for 30 days post-launch
• Address any "wait, how do I..." questions
• Fine-tune settings and workflows
• Transition to standard Relius support

Getting Started

Step 1: Contact Our Migration Team

Reach out to migrations@relius.church or use the chat in your Relius account. Let us know:

• What system you're migrating from
• Approximate number of people records
• Any special requirements or concerns
• Your ideal timeline

Step 2: Schedule a Migration Planning Call

We'll set up a 45-minute video call to walk through your data, answer questions, and create a customized migration plan. Come prepared with admin access to your current system so we can take a look together.

Step 3: Choose Your Platform-Specific Guide

Once you're ready to proceed, dive into the detailed guide for your current platform:

Best Practices

• Clean data before migrating: Now is the perfect time to merge duplicates, remove inactive records, and update outdated info.
• Don't rush: 4-6 weeks is a healthy timeline. Faster is possible, but only if your data is very clean and simple.
• Involve your team early: Get buy-in from staff and volunteers who will use Relius daily. Their input matters.
• Export everything from your old system: Even if it doesn't migrate, you'll want archives of reports, old emails, and historical data.
• Test giving first: Donations are critical. Make test gifts to ensure everything flows correctly before going live.
• Communicate with your congregation: Let members know about changes, especially if login portals or giving pages are affected.

Common Questions

Q: How much does migration cost?

A: Basic migration support is included with your Relius subscription. Complex migrations (very large churches, heavy customization) may incur a one-time service fee. We'll discuss this upfront during planning.

Q: What if we need to keep our old system for a while?

A: That's fine! Many churches run parallel for 1-2 months. Just be aware you'll pay for both systems during that time. We recommend setting a firm cutover date to avoid prolonged double-entry.

Q: Can we migrate in phases (e.g., people first, then giving)?

A: Absolutely. Phased migrations reduce risk and learning curve overwhelm. Common approach: People & Groups → Giving → Communications → Events.

Q: What if something goes wrong during migration?

A: We test thoroughly and keep backups. If issues arise, we can roll back and try again. Your old system remains intact until you're 100% confident in the new data.

Q: Will our congregation notice the change?

A: Member-facing changes (giving page URL, member portal login) will be different. Communicate these changes ahead of time with clear instructions. Most members adapt quickly, especially if the new experience is better.

Related Topics

• Migrating from Planning Center
• Migrating from ChurchTrac
• Quick Start Guide
• Setting Up Your Church
• Bulk Import/Export