Connect Cards are digital intake forms that capture contact information from new visitors, volunteers, or anyone who engages with your church. When someone submits a Connect Card, they are automatically added to a linked Group, and any connected workflow begins immediately. This article walks you through creating, customizing, linking, and managing Connect Cards in Text In Church.
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What Is a Connect Card?
A Connect Card is a customizable digital form in Text In Church that collects contact information from people who engage with your church. Connect Cards capture names, phone numbers, email addresses, and any custom questions you add. When someone submits a card, they are automatically added to the Group you linked, and any associated workflow begins right away. You can share a Connect Card as a direct link or configure it to send automatically when someone texts a keyword to your church's number.
How to Create a Connect Card
Navigate to the Connect tab in Text In Church.
Click Cards from the left menu.
Click New Connect Card.
Enter a name for your Connect Card and click Next.
Review the default questions. Name, Phone, and Email are included by default. Click Next.
Select the Group you want contacts added to upon submission, then click Next.
Review your settings and click Save.
Once saved, your Connect Card is active and ready to share via link or keyword. Each Connect Card can only be linked to one Group at a time. If you need to link it to a different Group later, you must unlink it from the current Group first.
Customizing Your Connect Card Questions
You can edit, add, or delete questions on a Connect Card to match your church's needs. Name is always required and cannot be removed. Phone and Email are required by default, but you can make either one optional as long as at least one of the two remains required.
Note: Connect Cards do not support branching logic. Regardless of how a contact answers a multiple-choice question, they will be added to the connected Group and the connected workflow will start.
How to Edit an Existing Question
Go to Connect > Cards.
Click the three dots next to the Connect Card and select Edit.
Click Next to reach the questions section.
Click the three dots on the question you want to change and select Edit.
Make your changes. To make a field optional, uncheck Mark as Required.
Click Next, then Save.
How to Add a New Question
Go to Connect > Cards.
Click the three dots next to the card and select Edit.
Click Next to reach the questions section.
Click Add Question and fill in the question details.
Click Next, then Save.
How to Delete a Question
Go to Connect > Cards.
Click the three dots next to the card and select Edit.
Click Next to reach the questions section.
Click the three dots on the question you want to remove and select Delete.
Click Next, then Save.
You can only delete custom questions. Name, Phone, and Email cannot be deleted.
Linking a Connect Card to a Group and Keyword
Each Connect Card can be linked to one Group at a time. When someone submits the card, they are automatically added to that Group and any associated workflow begins. If you want to link the card to a different Group, you must first unlink it from the current Group. Once unlinked, the card will appear as an available option for other Groups.
How to Send Your Connect Card Link via Keyword
To send your Connect Card link automatically when someone texts a keyword:
Go to Connect > Groups.
Find the Group linked to your keyword and click the three dots on the right side, then select Edit.
Click Next on the Group Info screen.
On the Connect Card screen, select your Connect Card from the dropdown.
Click Save.
Once linked, anyone who texts that keyword will receive an automatic reply containing the Connect Card link.
Viewing and Exporting Connect Card Responses
You can view all submissions for a Connect Card by clicking the Report button next to the card in your Cards list. The report shows each submission along with the contact's responses. The report also distinguishes between first-time visitors and repeat visitors, giving you a clearer picture of who is engaging with your church.
How to Export Responses
Go to Connect > Cards.
Click Report next to the desired Connect Card.
Click Export as CSV to download the data for use in Excel or Google Sheets.
Setting Up Staff Notifications
Text In Church can send your staff a notification each time someone submits a Connect Card. Notifications are configured through the Group connected to the card.
Go to Connect > Groups.
Find the Group linked to your Connect Card and click the three dots on the right side, then select Edit.
In the Group settings, locate the staff notifications section and add the email addresses of staff members who should receive alerts.
Click Save.
If staff members are not receiving notifications, ask them to check their spam or junk folder. Connect Card notification emails are sometimes filtered by email providers.
Troubleshooting Connect Cards
My Connect Card Link Is Not Being Sent When Someone Texts a Keyword
If your keyword is working but the Connect Card link is not being included in the reply, the keyword's Group may not be linked to your card. Edit the Group linked to your keyword, click through to the Connect Card screen, and confirm your card is selected in the dropdown.
Staff Members Are Not Receiving Notifications
Check the spam or junk folder. Connect Card notification emails are sometimes filtered there. If the emails are not in spam, confirm that the correct email addresses are entered in the Group's staff notification settings.
My Connect Card Is Not Showing as an Option for a Second Group
A Connect Card can only be linked to one Group at a time. If it is currently linked to another Group, it will not appear as an option elsewhere. Unlink the card from its current Group first, then it will become available to select for a different Group.
The Connect Card Is Placing Everyone in the Same Group Regardless of Their Answers
This is expected behavior. Connect Cards do not support branching logic. Every person who submits the card will be added to the same connected Group and workflow, regardless of how they answer multiple-choice questions.
I Cannot Delete a Question from My Connect Card
Name, Phone, and Email are core fields and cannot be deleted. You can delete any custom questions you have added. If you need to reduce what is required, consider making Phone or Email optional rather than deleting the field entirely.
The Report Data Looks Incorrect or Confusing
If you are seeing unexpected data in your Connect Card report, check for duplicate contacts in your account. For example, if someone has an email address stored as a contact and then texts a keyword, Text In Church may create a second contact entry. Use the People tab to search for and merge any duplicate contacts.
Have questions or need help with Connect Cards? Reach out to our Member Experience team at Support@TextInChurch.com.
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