Realm Connect Resources

Realm Connect PP Presentation

What is Realm Connect?
Realm is an online community just for congregants of FBC Asheboro. Using Realm Connect, members have the ability to communicate one-on-one or in groups, create special events and collect RSVPs, manage personal profiles, make recurring or one-time gifts, access the church’s directory, and so much more! 

In order to access Realm Connect, members must first log in using the email link sent to them. This email invitation will prompt users to create their username and password which will be used when accessing REALM Connect. 

In Realm, you can manage your personal and contact information, donate, see your giving history, and connect easily with others in the congregation from your phone, tablet, or computer.

• Profiles: Your profile is your starting point. It contains your contact information,
  household members, email preferences, giving history, groups you belong to, and more.
• Giving: You can pledge, contribute, and see your giving history through your profile.
• Groups: Realm’s “Groups” feature simplifies interacting with others in the church
  including small groups, ministries, and volunteer teams. (When you activate your profile, you are automatically part of the First Baptist Church Asheboro Group.)

Why is this important to the congregation?
We believe Realm will help enhance the existing church community at FBC Asheboro. The app will allow members to stay in contact with small groups, missions, and ministries. This tool will also be used to streamline the accounting process for FBC Asheboro to make your donations more efficient – and our accounting program error free.

How does this affect me?
If you are in our current database with the correct email address, you will receive an invitation to join and create an account on Monday, August 28. Once you have followed the link, created an account, and logged in, you can then set up your profile and giving preferences. 

How do I get started with Realm?
If we already have your name and email address on file, you have a profile waiting to be activated. Open the email invitation from “First Baptist Church Asheboro” and follow the steps to create an account and set your password. You will then be sent a verification email with a link to verify your account. Your profile is activated!

I didn’t receive an email to activate my profile. What do I do?
Check your spam/junk folder to see if you received your email invitation and did not realize it. If the email invitation isn’t there, contact Chuck Aldrich at moc.orobehsacbfnull@hcirdlac and another invitation will be sent to you. 

If you did not receive an email invitation and there is no email on file for you, please contact Ellen Lucas at moc.orobehsacbfnull@sacule.

What about my online giving in Pushpay (current giving tool)?
If you give online using Pushpay, our current online giving tool, you will now need to set up your one-time or recurring payments in Realm Connect. Once this has been completed, then you will need to cancel any recurring gifts in Pushpay. Pushpay will no longer be used after October 1, 2023.

Can I only access Realm Connect through the mobile app?
Realm Connect may be accessed through your smartphone or tablet by downloading the Realm Connect mobile app which can be found in your mobile app store or by logging in via the Realm Connect website – https://www.acstechnologies.com/realm/tools/mobile-apps/connect-mobile-app/

My profile has been activated, now what should I do?
When you first activate your account, there are a few things you will want to review first to ensure the information we have on file for you is correct. 

1. Check to see that your personal and contact information are complete.
2. Be sure to include the month, day, and year of your birthday. Your age and birth year will never be displayed, but it will help us find you for specific purposes.
3. Upload your profile picture. 
4. Check the privacy settings for your email, phone, and address. We encourage everyone over the age of 18 to choose “Anyone in the Church.” For minors, we recommend keeping the privacy setting for Staff and Leaders Only.

How is my privacy being protected?
Realm is a private, password-protected system for members of our church community only. To check your privacy settings, access your profile and click the “Privacy” link.

• Over 18: We urge everyone over 18 to choose Anyone in the Church so other Realm users can see your email, address, phone number, birthday (month and day, not year), marital status, and the names of your household members. If you prefer to keep certain information private, you can choose one of the other options.
• Children: Privacy settings for children and youth under 18 are set to Staff and Leaders Only. Parents, please do not change these settings for your children. Children are given the parents email address so that emails about children’s groups will go to a parent.

Should I upload a photo for my profile picture?
Yes, please! In a church as large as ours, it’s helpful to connect names and faces. Headshots are best! To upload a photo from your computer, click on the circle containing your initials. If you are having trouble, send a picture to moc.orobehsacbfnull@hcirdlac or moc.orobehsacbfnull@sacule and we will add it for you.

Can I still make one-time/recurring tithes and offerings to the church with Realm Connect?
Yes. You can give your offering through Realm – one time or recurring on a regular schedule.

• On an iPhone – your giving history appears first; touch “Make a Gift” to schedule a one-time or recurring gift. 
• Android – giving a one-time or recurring offering appears first; swipe left to see your giving history.
• Computer – log in to your Realm Connect profile and click the button at the bottom of our website, gifree.org.
• Click Giving on the left menu panel to see your giving history.
• Click the +Give tab to schedule a one-time or recurring gift.
• You may also view future scheduled giving and previous year contribution statements on this page.

Does Realm replace the church website?
No. Realm Connect is an online community for those who call FBC Asheboro their church home. Our website, www.fbcasheboro.com will always be an at-your-fingertips resource with everything you’d want to know about our church. Most importantly, our website is the church’s public and welcoming online presence to people who are not yet connected or committed.

How will Groups and Serving Teams use Realm?
Groups and volunteer teams are encouraged to use Realm for their communication. Leaders and members within the group can post files and photos. Posting is as simple as clicking on the pen icon, writing a message, and clicking “Post.” You can also create a photo post by clicking on the camera.

Group leaders have these additional privileges:

• Creating events: Leaders can create a date-specific meeting, gathering, or event by clicking on the calendar. These are automatically added to the Realm church calendar.
• Adding and removing group members: Leaders keep their group rosters up to date. To add and remove group members, go to “Participants” and “Manage Roster.”
• Remember to add a photo of yourself and encourage others in your group to do so.

I’m a small group leader, and I communicate with my group via email. Why would I want to use Realm instead of email?Realm offers several advantages for small group leaders:

• Realm has a dedicated space for your group, so all the messages, responses, and uploaded files are stored together. No more searching your email inbox for past communication!
• Every message and all replies go to everyone in the group. No more out-of-date email mailing lists or “Reply All” requirements.

Help! I’m not getting any email from the church and my groups!
You may need to change your email settings for Realm. Find your Settings (see UPDATE YOUR PERSONAL INFO section above) then select a specific setting for each of your groups.

For any other questions or to speak to someone directly about how to manage your Realm Connect profile, please contact our church office at 336.629.9191.