Switching from another system
Moving your church data doesn't have to be a nightmare. Follow this step-by-step workbook to ensure nothing gets left behind.
You've decided to move to Relius. Great choice! But now comes the part most church leaders dread: the migration. We've helped hundreds of churches make the switch, and we've learned that a successful migration is 80% preparation and 20% execution.
1Pre-Migration Checklist
Before you even log into Relius, you need to secure your data from your current provider. Do this before you cancel your subscription.
What to export:
- Member Directory
Full names, emails, phone numbers, addresses, and birthdates.
- Giving History
At least 3-5 years of donation records for tax purposes.
- Group Rosters
Who is in which small group, serving team, or class.
- Pastoral Notes
Export these carefully; they often don't come in standard CSVs.
2Questions to Ask Your Previous Provider
Don't assume you can get your data later. Send this email to their support team:
"We are transitioning to a new system. Can you please confirm:
1. Can I get a full SQL dump or CSV export of all my data?
2. Will I lose access to my data immediately upon cancellation, or is there a grace period?
3. How do I export recurring giving profiles so donors don't have to re-enter their info?"
3Data Cleaning Best Practices
Migration is the perfect time to spring clean. Don't import the mess.
- Archive inactive members: If they haven't attended or given in 2 years, mark them as 'Archived' in your CSV before importing.
- Standardize addresses: Ensure 'St.' vs 'Street' consistency to help our duplicate detector work best.
- Consolidate households: Make sure family units are grouped correctly in your spreadsheet.
4The Import Process
Relius makes this easy with our self-service importer.
- Go to Settings > Data Import in your Relius dashboard.
- Select "People" to start. Upload your cleaned CSV.
- Map your columns. Relius will guess that "First Name" matches "First Name", but verify each field.
- Run the "Test Import". This processes the first 50 rows so you can check for errors without messing up your database.
- If it looks good, click "Run Full Import".
- Repeat for Groups and Giving.
Common Pitfall: The "Everything" Import
Don't try to import custom fields that you don't actually use. If you haven't looked at "Spiritual Gift Test Result 2014" in ten years, don't clutter your new system with it.
5Timeline Expectations
Be realistic. A rushed migration leads to frustrated staff.
Need help?
Our migration team has seen it all. If you get stuck, don't guess.
Ready to make the switch?
Start your free trial today and see how easy it is to bring your data home to Relius.