Behind the Logo: Jessica Quinones, VP of SteepleMate
New systems need time to feel like home: Good onboarding is like moving in—step-by-step setup, support, and personal customization.
Support should feel personal, not transactional: You deserve help from people who know your name and care about your mission.
You don’t need to be tech-savvy: A willing spirit and patient support can overcome any technology learning curve.
Your tools should serve your mission: Tech should simplify church work, not compete with or complicate the ministry itself.
I once spent an entire morning helping a pastor set up a Gmail account. It reminded me of something very important: every church has a starting point, and our job is to meet them right there.
I’m Jessica, a VP at SteepleMate, one of the church management software tools featured here on TheLeadPastor.com.
Every member of the SteepleMate team is driven by a passion to glorify God, eager to help churches to reach the unreachable. We bridge the gap between churches with little to no tech experience and their communities, using transformative tools that make ministry easier and more impactful.
In this article, I’m pulling back the curtain to share what your church management software (ChMS) provider wishes you knew – not just about the tech itself, but about how it can truly empower your ministry.
Whether you feel like a tech expert or a total beginner, this is about helping you focus less on the tech stress and more on serving the people who make your church a community.
1. We care deeply about your mission (God's mission), but also about your tech skills.
You don’t have to be the next tech genius to run your church well. I’ve spent countless hours on calls with church leaders, many who feel embarrassed to admit they don't know the first thing about church software, and even struggle with basic computer skills.
But let me say this with pride: you can run a successful ministry without being a tech expert.
Our goal is to meet you where you are. Maybe you’re confidently managing your church website and keeping up with new visitors; perhaps, you already know your church requirements for church management software. Then again, maybe you’re not even sure how to turn up the volume on your computerEither way, we care first about your mission - God’s mission - spreading the gospel, serving your community, and reaching people in need.
When church leaders feel safe asking questions, they gain momentum faster than they ever expected.
Jessica qUINONES, VP AT STEEPLEMATE
Tech can be learned, but your ministry is already in you.
Maybe you’ve felt behind. Maybe you’ve caught yourself thinking, “I should have figured this out by now.” But let me stop you right there: your ministry is not dependent on your tech skills.
God placed a calling in you long before technology was ever part of ministry. Your heart for people, your desire to see lives changed, your passion for the gospel – that’s what matters most.
The truth is, tech can be learned. And we’ll walk alongside you every step of the way. No question is too small. No starting point is too basic. Whether it’s setting up an email account or managing your church’s online presence, we’re here to help you grow confidently.
You were called to ministry, not to be overwhelmed by technology. Allow Steeplemate to focus on the hard work, so you can focus on the heart work.
2. We take the time to understand your church first.
Before we talk about church management practices, systems, features, or tools, we focus on one thing: getting to know your church.
Every church is unique. Your community has its own values and needs, its own heartbeat. That’s why, before we ever start onboarding you into the SteepleMate system, we invest time learning where your church is starting from.
We ask questions, we listen, and we map out a clear, personalized roadmap to launch – one that matches your pace and priorities.
Jessica Quinones
This matters because when you start from a place of understanding, the overwhelm naturally fades. You’re not fighting to keep up with someone else’s process; you’re walking confidently through your own.
Afraid your church won’t adopt the new shiny mobile app?
You’re not alone. Just this morning, I saw a post in a church group from an admin asking what to do when people refuse to check themselves in, they simply won’t use the tech.
That’s exactly why,when we onboard a new church into SteepleMate, we start by setting clear expectations about the time and effort it takes to get established.
One of our best practices is helping you identify “champions” within your church.
These are ministry leaders or volunteers who oversee a portion of the onboarding process and rally their team. By investing time upfront to understand your needs and prepare your leaders, we lay the foundation for smoother adoption, fewer frustrations, and long-term success.
A strong start makes all the difference. The more we know about your church, the better we can guide you toward success.
3. Count the cost, and plan for growth.
When choosing a church management system, cost is one of the first (and smartest) things to consider. It’s not just about what fits your budget today – it’s about what will still serve you well as your church grows.
Our team always encourages churches to think beyond the immediate price tag. Ask yourself: Will this system support us as we expand? Will it scale with our needs? Are there hidden costs that will sneak up on us later?
We’ve seen churches choose tools that seem affordable upfront, only to find them limiting, or worse, expensive as their congregation grows. It’s discouraging to see churches be punished for growing.
At SteepleMate, we work together with you to look at the big picture. We walk with you through what you need today, what you hope for, and what you’ll need tomorrow – so you’re not caught off guard down the road.
4. Embrace multiple giving options.
Even if most of your members prefer to give by cash or check, it’s wise to offer a variety of giving methods. Not everyone carries cash anymore, and new or younger members often prefer digital options like online or text giving.
Expanding your giving channels isn’t about replacing traditional methods, it’s about making generosity accessible to everyone. When you offer more ways to give, you not only meet people where they are, but you also make it easier for them to support the mission of your church.
At SteepleMate, we guide churches through setting up giving tools that feel natural and trustworthy, so your congregation can give confidently, however they choose.
Jessica Quinones, VP at STeeplemate
Meet people where they are to grow giving naturally.
Online and text giving can feel intimidating at first, and adding new ways to give can come across as transactional, especially if your church has relied on more traditional methods. But when you introduce these options with care, they become a bridge to deeper engagement, not just a financial transaction.
5. There’s no such thing as “just a small church.”
So many pastors, almost apologetically, tell me, “We’re just a small church…” But let me tell you – that is never how we see it.
According to several studies from groups like the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the majority of churches in the U.S. average under 100 attendees weekly, with many around 60 to 70. So when a church leader says to me, “We have 80 people on a Sunday, but we’re small,” I honestly marvel at what God is doing.
God is at work in every gathering, whether it’s a living room with ten people or a sanctuary filled with hundreds.
- Every person matters.
- Every church matters.
- Every ministry deserves tools and support to help them thrive.
There’s no such thing as a ‘small’ church in God’s eyes. Every gathering is a testimony to His faithfulness.
6. Ministry comes first. Always.
We live in a time when screens of every shape and size are constantly fighting for our attention. As Christians, it’s easy to lose sight of what technology should do for the church: serve the mission.
In today’s crowded tech landscape, how do we tell the difference between apps that serve God’s purpose and those driven by mans “good intentions”? At SteepleMate, we keep it simple - ministry first. Always.
Church management software offers many benefits. The right tool or app can absolutely help streamline communication, simplify admin tasks, and strengthen community engagement. But they should never compete with the spiritual work your church is called to do.
Our conviction is simple: technology should support ministry, not shape it.
As someone who’s worked in both ministry and technology, I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for tools to overstep. What started as something to help quickly becomes something that distracts. That’s why we include guardrails in our church management system, not just features.
7. Support should feel like a partnership, not a service ticket.
We’ve heard the stories (too many times): endless support tickets, can’t get a human on the phone for support, or it costs money to get an extra 10 minutes of phone support.
That’s not how we work.
At SteepleMate, you’re never just another account. You have a dedicated account manager who knows your church, your story, and your goals. When you call you’re calling a teammate. When you email, we recognize your name.
Jessica Quinones, VP at STeepleMate
Your church matters deeply to us, and we want every interaction to feel like a conversation with a friend – because that’s how ministry happens.
8. Growth takes time, and that’s okay.
We live in a culture that celebrates overnight success, but healthy growth is rarely instant. It’s okay to grow slow and steady.
We’ve walked alongside churches that felt overwhelmed at first, only to see them flourish over time. Adoption isn’t a race. Whether you’re onboarding new tools, expanding your giving options, or simply getting comfortable with tech, we celebrate every step forward.
Your pace is the right pace. We’re here for the long journey, not just the quick wins.
9. Choose technology that adapts as you grow.
Your church is more than its calendar. It’s a living, breathing community of people, each with changing needs, growing families, and evolving ministries.
That’s why your technology should be flexible enough to grow with you, not lock you into rigid workflows that worked five years ago but no longer fit today. You shouldn't have to adapt to your technology. Your technology should adapt to your ministry – not the other way around.
At SteepleMate, we think ahead with you. Whether you’re adding new ministries or expanding your outreach, we innovate based on your needs – and God’s direction for your church.
10. Moving into a new ChMS is like moving into a new home.
When you move into a new home, you don’t expect everything to be perfect on day one. You do a walk-through. You figure out where the light switches are. You notice what works well, and what needs to be adjusted to make the space truly yours.
Transitioning into a new church management system is exactly that same.
There will be a learning curve.
There will be little things you didn’t think about at firs,t and maybe even a few surprises. But that’s okay. Part of making a space, or system, work for you is taking the time to settle in, personalize it, and make it feel like home.
At SteepleMate, we don’t just hand you the keys and wish you good luck. We walk with you through every room, help you hang the pictures, adjust the furniture, and make sure the foundation is strong. Because this isn’t just any house – it’s the home base for your ministry.
At the end of the day, know this: you’re not alone.
Whether you feel confident in tech or completely overwhelmed, we’re here to walk this road with you, not as some software company,, but as partners in ministry.
Because God’s calling for you is too important to be hindered by confusing software, empty promises, or pressure tactics. Your church deserves tools that serve your mission, respect your pace, and honor the sacred work you do every single day. And that’s exactly why we built SteepleMate.
