Church Security Communication FAQ
Quick answers to common church safety and church security communication questions about Sanctuary Signal Text.
What is Sanctuary Signal Text?
Text is SMS-first: check-ins, supervisor broadcasts, direct messages by name, and an admin console for oversight-no installs required.
It is built to keep communication quiet during worship, while still giving leaders the visibility and control they need.
Do we have to install an app?
No for Text. It’s designed for interactive text messaging-no app download required and it can work without Wi-Fi.
Can we expand beyond Text later?
Yes. Most teams start with SMS-first operations for speed and simplicity, then add more advanced workflows as needs evolve.
Does Text work if volunteers don’t know each other’s phone numbers?
Yes. Text is designed to protect personal contact information and still enable fast coordination through structured messaging and role-based routing.
How do “on duty” check-ins work?
Team members text CHECKIN to mark themselves on duty and CHECKOUT to go off duty. Only checked-in members receive standard supervisor broadcasts.
Anyone can text STATUS to see who is currently on duty.
Can I message someone directly by name?
Yes. Text supports direct messaging using @Name. If multiple people match, the system prompts you to choose.
Who can broadcast to the whole team?
Broadcast behavior is role-based. Supervisors/owners can send team broadcasts, while member messages are treated as replies and routed to supervisors for visibility.
How do new team members join?
New members can text JOIN. The system asks for their name, and-if approvals are enabled-the request goes into a pending approval queue for a supervisor/owner to approve.
What is the Admin console vs the public dashboard?
The public dashboard (/) is a read-only status view. The admin dashboard (/admin) contains team management, message history, queue health, and operational tools.
What counts as a “monthly active user” for billing?
It’s based on unique users who actively use the product during the month. Billing is based on monthly active users-not total roster size, shifts, or days used.
What counts as a “message” for included usage and metered billing?
Inbound and outbound SMS/MMS messages each count as one usage unit. Every plan includes 250 monthly messages, then usage is metered at $0.03 per message.
Do unused messages roll over?
No. Included message allowance resets monthly.
Do you still use SMS message packs?
No. New subscriptions use base plan + metered usage + optional premium add-on modules.
Which settings are client configurable?
Several operational behaviors are configurable per client, such as who can send team-wide broadcasts, automatic checkout timing for inactive users, and how long alert/message records remain visible before expiry.
Looking for deeper implementation guidance? Start with the comparison guides, church security use cases, and operational templates.