Church text messaging service: five platforms read for consent
5 services compared7 rowsVendor claims read 2026-10-25
For the pastor, church administrator or communications lead choosing text messaging for churches: the Sunday announcement, the first-time guest follow-up, the prayer chain. A church's own texts sit outside the FCC's telephone-solicitation rules (our TCPA exemptions guide has the nonprofit carve-out) but not outside the carriers', so we read five church platforms' own help centres on 2026-10-25 for opt-outs, carrier registration and what happens to an imported member list. Every status names the page it came from.
Verdict by use case
Best overall
It is the only one of the five whose pages show plain-language and misspelled opt-outs caught without staff, and it files the carrier registration itself. Larger imports go through a person on its team before anyone is texted.
Best for first-time guest follow-up
Connect cards and timed workflows carry a guest through weeks of texts, and the carriers' compliance text goes out once, automatically. A member who opts out can rejoin only from their own phone, so staff cannot re-add them.
Best on a toll-free number
Gloo claims and verifies a toll-free number for the church instead of a 10DLC registration. Its import asks you to confirm permission for the numbers, and it pulls people in from Planning Center, Church Community Builder, Rock RMS or MinistryPlatform.
Five texting services for churches, seven rows
The first three rows are what a member sees: the confirmation text, an opt-out that works however it is worded, and a way back in that only the member controls. The fourth is the carriers' filing. The last three are about lists: how a member directory comes in, how opt-outs go out, and whether the tool reads your church database. "Our pick" marks the best-overall verdict.
If your church mass text messaging is mostly closures and reminders to one big list, the broadcast tools on our best mass texting service comparison fit too, and general tools are on best text messaging service for business. The wording a connect card needs is in our SMS consent form template.
| Requirement | Our pickClearstream | Text In Church | Gloo | Tithely | Flocknote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sends the opt-in confirmation (program, HELP, STOP, frequency, rates) | Check with the vendor | Yes | Check with the vendor | Check with the vendor | Check with the vendor |
| Honours STOP and plain-language revocation automatically | Yes | Check with the vendor | Check with the vendor | Check with the vendor | No |
| Only the member's own text puts them back after an opt-out | Check with the vendor | Yes | Yes | Check with the vendor | Check with the vendor |
| Files the carrier registration for you (10DLC or toll-free) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check with the vendor |
| List import requires a consent attestation or review | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check with the vendor | Check with the vendor |
| Consent records exportable | Yes | Yes | Check with the vendor | Check with the vendor | Check with the vendor |
| Syncs with a church management system (or is one) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
- Sends the opt-in confirmation (program, HELP, STOP, frequency, rates)
- CTIA lists five things a recurring programme's confirmation text should carry.CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices (May 2023), 5.1.2.1
- Honours STOP and plain-language revocation automatically
- The FCC rule names seven reply words and also counts any reply a reasonable person reads as a revocation.47 CFR § 64.1200(a)(10)
- Only the member's own text puts them back after an opt-out
- Once someone has opted out, a new request from that person is what restores consent; a staff member ticking a box is not.
- Files the carrier registration for you (10DLC or toll-free)
- Carriers block or filter texts from an unregistered local number or an unverified toll-free number, and the filing names your church, by its legal name and EIN, as the sender.
- List import requires a consent attestation or review
- Carriers ask senders not to use opt-in lists that have been rented, sold or shared; a gate at import asks where the consent came from before the list is texted.CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices (May 2023), 5.1.4
- Consent records exportable
- CTIA asks senders to retain every opt-in and opt-out so consent can be shown later.CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices (May 2023), 5.1.5
- Syncs with a church management system (or is one)
- A list copied by hand drifts: the member who left in March or texted STOP to another ministry is still on the spreadsheet.
What an opt-out reply stops on each platform
Churches text by ministry: youth, volunteers, the whole congregation. So the question a member's opt-out raises is how much it ends: one group, one account or everything from the number. The five services answer it five ways. The words that count as an opt-out are covered in our SMS opt-out keywords guide.
Text In Church
- A reply of STOP ends
- Every text from the account: each Group and workflow on that number.
- To come back
- The member texts START to the same number. Staff cannot switch them back on.
- Watch for
- To leave one ministry only, staff remove the person from that Group instead.
Clearstream
- A reply of STOP ends
- Texts from the account or subaccount the person replied to. On a shared short code, STOP ALL stops every account.
- To come back
- The member texts one of your keywords.
- Watch for
- A youth subaccount and the main account keep separate opt-out lists.
Flocknote
- A reply of STOP ends
- Text notifications from the one group the note came from. Other groups, and email, keep coming.
- To come back
- Each network sets its own instructions.
- Watch for
- A STOP with punctuation after it is not read; Flocknote says to turn that member's texts off by hand.
Gloo
- A reply of STOP ends
- Every text from the church's Gloo number, after STOP or UNSUBSCRIBE.
- To come back
- The person texts START.
- Watch for
- Leaving one group takes a keyword workflow you build, such as DONE VOLUNTEER.
Tithely
- A reply of STOP ends
- Future SMS blasts.
- To come back
- The person texts UNSTOP to the church's messaging number.
- Watch for
- System messages such as password resets still send.
Vendor by vendor
Each card repeats the table's rows with the detail from the vendor's own page. Text In Church and Clearstream register a local number under 10DLC, and Gloo verifies a toll-free one; 10DLC vs toll-free explains the difference. Carriers also read the church website for a privacy policy, which our SMS privacy policy generator drafts.
Clearstream
What it is
A texting and email service built for churches: mass texts, keywords, workflows, a shared inbox and subaccounts for ministries or campuses, on a registered local number or a short code.
Who it fits
Churches that send churchwide announcements every week and want ministries kept apart in subaccounts.
- Sends the opt-in confirmation (program, HELP, STOP, frequency, rates)Check with the vendor
A first-contact notice tells people to reply STOP to opt out; frequency, HELP and rates are not described.
- Honours STOP and plain-language revocation automaticallyYes
STOP, END, QUIT, CANCEL and UNSUBSCRIBE, plus sentences such as "I've moved, please stop texting me" and typos such as "STPO", caught automatically.
- Only the member's own text puts them back after an opt-outCheck with the vendor
The member's route back is texting one of your keywords; whether staff can re-add an opted-out number is not described.
- Files the carrier registration for you (10DLC or toll-free)Yes
Registration starts when you create a local number; Clearstream says it covers the carriers' registration and messaging fees.
- List import requires a consent attestation or reviewYes
You must have permission for every number before importing; larger files go to manual review by its team.
- Consent records exportableYes
Opted-out subscribers filter into a list that exports to CSV, and each message shows who opted out in reply to it.
- Syncs with a church management system (or is one)Yes
Planning Center, Church Community Builder, Breeze and Rock RMS.
Text In Church
What it is
Texting, email and calling for churches, built around guest follow-up: digital connect cards, keywords and automated workflows that space texts days apart. PastorsLine accounts are being upgraded into it, and pastorsline.com now redirects to textinchurch.com.
Who it fits
Churches whose main job for texting is following up first-time guests over several weeks.
- Sends the opt-in confirmation (program, HELP, STOP, frequency, rates)Yes
A compliance text goes to each contact once: your name, "frequency varies", rates, STOP and HELP. It cannot be turned off.
- Honours STOP and plain-language revocation automaticallyCheck with the vendor
STOP opts the contact out of every text from the account; other wording is not documented.
- Only the member's own text puts them back after an opt-outYes
The contact must text START to the same number. Admins cannot re-opt a contact who texted STOP.
- Files the carrier registration for you (10DLC or toll-free)Yes
A Sender Profile in Settings: the legal church name and EIN exactly as the IRS has them, plus the website.
- List import requires a consent attestation or reviewYes
A Permissions toggle on CSV import; leave it off and every imported record lands opted out.
- Consent records exportableYes
An export of SMS opt-out status and opt-out date from the Tools tab.
- Syncs with a church management system (or is one)Yes
Planning Center (real-time sync), Church Community Builder, Rock RMS, Elvanto and Pushpay ChMS.
Gloo
What it is
Gloo Workspace's Communications tab: broadcasts, keyword workflows and a prayer-request inbox, sent by default from a toll-free number Gloo claims and verifies for the church.
Who it fits
Churches that want a toll-free number and a prayer inbox, with people pulled in from their church database.
- Sends the opt-in confirmation (program, HELP, STOP, frequency, rates)Check with the vendor
The first text to each person carries "Text STOP to opt-out, SPAM to flag as inappropriate"; frequency, HELP and rates are not described.
- Honours STOP and plain-language revocation automaticallyCheck with the vendor
STOP or UNSUBSCRIBE stops all texts from the number. Other replies are marked Needs Response for a person to read.
- Only the member's own text puts them back after an opt-outYes
The person who texted STOP needs to text START to receive texts again.
- Files the carrier registration for you (10DLC or toll-free)Yes
Toll-free verification starts when you claim the number; Gloo says it takes 48 to 72 hours, with no texting until it clears.
- List import requires a consent attestation or reviewYes
The last import step asks you to confirm you have permission to text the numbers you are importing.
- Consent records exportableCheck with the vendor
Unsubscribed status shows on each profile; an export of it is not described.
- Syncs with a church management system (or is one)Yes
Planning Center, Church Community Builder, Rock RMS, MinistryPlatform and HubSpot; only people over 13 and marked active come across.
Tithely
What it is
Tithely Messaging: text and email inside Tithely Church Management, next to giving, the church app and the website.
Who it fits
Churches already on Tithely for giving or church management that want texting in the same login.
- Sends the opt-in confirmation (program, HELP, STOP, frequency, rates)Check with the vendor
- Honours STOP and plain-language revocation automaticallyCheck with the vendor
STOP removes the person from future SMS blasts; other wording is not documented.
- Only the member's own text puts them back after an opt-outCheck with the vendor
Its help page for givers says to text UNSTOP to the church's number; whether staff can re-add is not described.
- Files the carrier registration for you (10DLC or toll-free)Yes
An intake form, then SMS Registration under Messaging settings. Approval takes about 3 weeks, and every text is blocked until then.
- List import requires a consent attestation or reviewCheck with the vendor
- Consent records exportableCheck with the vendor
- Syncs with a church management system (or is one)Yes
Messaging is built into Tithely Church Management.
Flocknote
What it is
A church communication and household database: notes go out as email or text by group, with Text-to-Join keywords, signups and online giving in the same account.
Who it fits
Parishes and churches that run members, households and giving in one place and text by ministry group.
- Sends the opt-in confirmation (program, HELP, STOP, frequency, rates)Check with the vendor
New members get an intro text saying they can reply STOP to stop texts from that group.
- Honours STOP and plain-language revocation automaticallyNo
STOP is read only without punctuation: "STOP!!" is not recognised, and Flocknote advises turning that member's notifications off by hand.
- Only the member's own text puts them back after an opt-outCheck with the vendor
Some networks give members their own instructions for opting back in.
- Files the carrier registration for you (10DLC or toll-free)Check with the vendor
Texts go from Flocknote's own numbers, one per group, which the church cannot choose (high-volume networks may get local numbers). No brand or campaign filing by the church is described.
- List import requires a consent attestation or reviewCheck with the vendor
No consent question is described, and one import checkbox re-adds members who left or were removed from the group.
- Consent records exportableCheck with the vendor
Members with notifications off can be filtered and viewed; an export is not described.
- Syncs with a church management system (or is one)Yes
It is the database: households, attendance and giving in the same account.
How we read the claims
Questions churches ask
Are churches exempt from the TCPA's texting rules?
Partly. A call or message "by or on behalf of a tax-exempt nonprofit organization" is not a telephone solicitation under the FCC's rule (47 CFR § 64.1200(f)(15)(iii)), so the calling-hours and Do Not Call rules built on that term do not reach a church's own texts. The consent rule for autodialed or prerecorded calls and texts to cell phones still applies, and the carriers' rules apply to every sender, church or not: registration, STOP handling and opt-in records. Our TCPA exemptions guide has the nonprofit carve-out in full.
Does our church need an EIN to register for texting?
Usually, yes. Text In Church asks for the legal church name and EIN exactly as the IRS has them, Gloo asks for the name as it appears on your EIN paperwork, and Clearstream asks for the EIN "if your church has one" and says it raises sending speed. A church that meets the 501(c)(3) requirements is tax-exempt without applying to the IRS (IRS Publication 1828), so it may never show up in the IRS's exempt-organization search; the EIN itself comes from the IRS letter that assigned it, which Gloo calls the CP 575.
How long before a church can send its first text?
It depends on the number type and the queue. Gloo says toll-free verification takes 48 to 72 hours and puts 10DLC registration at 2 to 3 weeks. Tithely says about 3 weeks, with every text blocked until approval. Text In Church says some registrations clear in 24 to 72 hours when the details match IRS records, and Clearstream gives its own average as 19 hours. Carriers also check your website: Text In Church and Gloo both say a public privacy policy and terms of use are expected, with a line that mobile numbers and opt-in data are not sold or shared for marketing.
Can we import our member directory and start texting?
Only the numbers of people who agreed to texts from the church. CTIA's carrier principles say senders "should not use opt-in lists that have been rented, sold, or shared" (§ 5.1.4), and a directory gathered for another purpose may not show consent to texts. Clearstream sends larger imports to manual review, Gloo asks you to confirm permission before the import finishes, and Text In Church imports records as opted out unless you switch its Permissions option on. Flocknote's importer has a box that re-adds members who left a group: leave it unticked.
Is there a free church text messaging service?
Flocknote's home page offers a free plan for small networks and a free trial of its larger plan, and Clearstream and Text In Church run free trials. Most plans meter texts by credits or a monthly allotment, and the carriers charge registration and messaging fees, which Clearstream says it covers; ask the others how they bill them. Read each service's own pricing page for the current plans; we list none here because they change.
Sources
- CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices (May 2023), 5.1.2.1fetched 2026-10-22
- 47 CFR § 64.1200(a)(10)fetched 2026-10-22
- IRS Publication 1828, Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations (Rev. 8-2015)fetched 2026-10-25
- FCC 26-67, Enhancing the Ability of Consumers To Control the Robocalls, 91 FR 67214 (final rule, effective 2026-11-25)fetched 2026-10-25
- Text In Church: Website requirements for A2P 10DLCfetched 2026-10-25
- Gloo: What kind of phone number can I get?fetched 2026-10-25
- Gloo: Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for toll-free verificationfetched 2026-10-25
- Gloo: Texts Gloo does not understandfetched 2026-10-25
- Clearstream: A2P 10DLC numbersfetched 2026-10-25
- Clearstream: Where can I find my church's EIN?fetched 2026-10-25
- Flocknote: Text-to-Joinfetched 2026-10-25
- Flocknote: Can I change the number or name that texts come from?fetched 2026-10-25
- Flocknote: How do I import my contacts?fetched 2026-10-25
- Tithely: Managing communication preferences in Messagingfetched 2026-10-25
- Tithely: Re-subscribing to church messagesfetched 2026-10-25
- Clearstream: How are text opt-outs handled?fetched 2026-10-25
- Clearstream: Why do I need to register my account?fetched 2026-10-25
- Clearstream: Guidelines for importing a listfetched 2026-10-25
- Clearstream: Can I view opt-outs?fetched 2026-10-25
- Clearstream: What does it mean to opt someone in?fetched 2026-10-25
- Text In Church: Messaging FAQsfetched 2026-10-25
- Text In Church: Opting in and outfetched 2026-10-25
- Text In Church: Sender Profile (US accounts only)fetched 2026-10-25
- Text In Church: Troubleshooting CSV importfetched 2026-10-25
- Text In Church: home page and integrationsfetched 2026-10-25
- Gloo: How does someone opt out of texts and emails?fetched 2026-10-25
- Gloo: Toll Free Phone Number Verificationfetched 2026-10-25
- Gloo: Import people via CSV uploadfetched 2026-10-25
- Gloo: Integrations overviewfetched 2026-10-25
- Tithely: Registering your messaging phone numberfetched 2026-10-25
- Tithely: Church text messaging and emailfetched 2026-10-25
- Flocknote: How do STOP replies work?fetched 2026-10-25
- Flocknote: church communication and household databasefetched 2026-10-25