Using the Online Services Register

The Online Services Register is the digital equivalent of keeping a paper Services Register book. General Synod approved the online Services Register as a legal alternative to the paper version in July 2023. Switching from paper to the online version is optional.

Benefits

• Quick and easy access to your service data when you need it – export a spreadsheet rather than trawl paper books.
• Increase security of your service data – the online Services Register is only accessible to approved AChurchNearYou.com editors.
• Seamless export to your Statistics for Mission return if you wish – saving you time.

Features

• Complete the online register after a service like you would a paper register, or use it live as people enter a service - tap the '+' button to count attendees as they come in. 
• Enter service date and time manually or choose to pull services through from your AChurchNearYou.com calendar - means you won't have to write out the date and time again for the Services Register entry and helps prevent duplication.
• Enter, view, edit or delete entries, or export a spreadsheet (.csv) of all your entries to date.
• Works when you're offline too: you can open the register and add data while offline, everything you enter is safely saved in a review area, then once you're online again you will be prompted to submit the data into the register.
• Automatically prepopulate your Statistics for Mission return with data you have recorded through the register throughout the year.

Making the switch

• You can try the online Services Register out now alongside keeping records in your paper Services Register.
• When you are ready to formally make the switch and stop using your paper Services Register completely, you will need your PCC or Cathedral Chapter (or Guild Church Council or District Church Council) to pass a resolution to approve this. If you want to revert to paper later, you can switch back by the same body passing a resolution to switch back to paper. 
• You do not have to enter services held elsewhere (such as some Fresh Expressions or services at a crematorium) but if you do so consistently, including the optional fields, it will mean that when you come to complete your Statistics for Mission form at the end of the year, more fields will be pre-populated for you.

Find out more and Questions

• Find out more and direct any questions you might have via the A Church Near You website here.