Support Knowledge for Empower
FAQ's
Q: What is the difference between PowerChurch Online and Empower?
PowerChurch Online is a server-based version of PowerChurch Plus, while Empower is a 100% web-based program that offers new features. Empower is designed to be more mobile, accessible, and simpler to use than PowerChurch Plus. PowerChurch Online offers features that are identical to the locally installed version of PowerChurch Plus.
Q: What is the difference between PowerChurch Plus and Empower?
PowerChurch Plus is a locally installed church management software that offers full accounting and bookkeeping tools, as well as extensive church management tools such as facility and library management. Empower, on the other hand, focuses on accessibility and mobility, and is 100% web-based. It does not include all of the facility and resource management tools or the accounting and bookkeeping tools (expected 2024).
Q: What is the cost of Empower?
Empower is currently priced at $40/month, which includes unlimited users, membership records, check in, contributions, activities, member portal access, and emails. Each tenant/church/database also receives 100 free text messages per month, with additional messages available for just .03 cents. PowerChurch Online Accounting module is available for an extra $10/month.
Q: Will my PowerChurch data convert over to Empower?
Yes, users can convert their own data during the trial setup by using a standard PowerChurch database backup. Empower's team can also help convert data as needed. Most PowerChurch data will convert over perfectly, but data such as facilities and library will not be converted because Empower does not offer the equivalent feature.
Q: How does a customer set up a trial?
Free 60-day trials can be set up at EmpowerChMS.com with a simple form that does not require a credit card or commitment. PowerChurch data can also be converted for the trial, and the Empower team can help with that process as needed.
Q: Are you discontinuing PowerChurch?
No, PowerChurch is not being discontinued. The next version of PowerChurch is already in development, and PowerChurch Plus and PowerChurch Online will continue to be offered as long as they are useful tools for customers.
Q: If I don't like Empower, can I convert back to PowerChurch?
No, there is not currently a process for converting Empower data back to PowerChurch. Although most PowerChurch data does convert directly to Empower, Empower's additional fields and features do not convert back to PowerChurch. This is one reason we offer the 60-day free trial and also highly recommend that customers continue to maintain their data in PowerChurch while on the Empower Trial.
Q: What happens if I cancel Empower or miss a payment?
If a customer cancels or misses a payment, their Empower account will be placed in read-only mode for up to one year. If a month's payment is missed, the subscription is paused, but the data remains in place, and when the subscription is reactivated, the data and functionality are completely restored.
Q: Will I receive a discount if I switch from PowerChurch to Empower?
Because of the generous length of the free trial, we do not offer a PowerChurch customer discount. We do offer a discount for annual payments ($455 for Empower, $565 for Empower+PCO).
Q: Can I purchase a physical manual for Empower?
No, we do not offer a physical manual for Empower. However, users can find help docs at http://help.empowerchms.com and choose to print them via PDFs formatted for printing.
Q: Do you offer any kind of Empower training?
We do offer demos over Zoom to introduce trial users to the program and answer any questions. These sessions are approximately 45 minutes long. A prerecorded demo and links to schedule personal demos are available at: https://marketing.powerchurchsoftware.com/36775/empower-demo In addition to this, users can find help docs, videos, and interactive user-guides at http://help.empowerchms.com. Empower also includes phone support during office hours or via support@powerchurch.com.
Q: What are the system requirements for Empower?
Empower is “browser-based” software. So, in theory, any device with a browser connected to the internet can run Empower. Devices MUST be connected to the internet at the time to access data. Desktops and Laptops (Mac, Windows, Chrome, Linux), Tablets (iOS, Windows, Android, Chrome), Phones, all have been tested and will run Empower. Empower Check-In does require Windows or MacOSX to run QZ Tray printing plug-in.
QZ Tray (for Check-In)
Install Dependencies: https://qz.io/docs/install-dependencies (Only for the device/station that is connected to the printer.
QZ TRAY FAQ: https://qz.io/docs/faq
Q: What printers work with Empower Check-In?
Empower works with Dymo, Brother, Zebra, and more. It is only limited by QZ Tray's integrations.