Posted by Summer is here now, and it’s still possible to work at 27 °C. If it gets any warmer, it will probably have a negative effect on my word-per-minute ratio. But let’s wait and see what happens. Wait is exactly the keyword: With version 3.74 we are continuing the advancement of the group registration. With a waiting list, it’s now even easier to plan events, as people can sign up at any time. But also our little friends, the emojis, are now moving into ChurchTools 🥳 . And as if that weren’t enough, we’ll be adding a security issue on top of that.
Waiting list for groups
Covid has shown us that the ChurchTools registration system has potential for greater things. Many churches already rely on ChurchTools. But one point has been an annoyance so far: When the event is full, it’s full. No one can register anymore, because the registration is automatically closed as soon as the maximum number of participants is reached.
The latest version of ChurchTools (v3.74) introduces waiting lists. This makes it possible to simultaneously define a maximum number of participants and allow even more people to register. As soon as the group is full, all further registrations are automatically put on the waiting list and everyone receives a waiting list number. If several people register at once, e.g. a family, then they all get the same waiting list position.
In addition, it is now possible to set that people automatically move up when space becomes free. With version 3.71 we have introduced the feature that you can unregister yourself. In combination with the automatic move-up, no person is left behind. Great!
In order to inform the persons on the waiting list accordingly, there is a separate automatic e-mail for the waiting list. This is only sent to persons with a waiting list position. If this e-mail does not exist, the system falls back on the automatic e-mail of the “Participation requested” role.
The waiting list and automatic moving up can be activated via the group settings. 
If the waiting list is active, the waiting list position of the person is displayed.
👏 Emojis 👏 are 👏 here 👏
For several months we have been working in the background on technical updates and making ChurchTools more future-proof. One nice effect that comes to light is that the use of emojis 🤓 is now possible in ChurchTools. 🙌🏼
Information for self-hosters: The update should now also make emojis possible for you. However, the update may not be possible if the database is not up to date. In such cases just contact our support team.
More security when changing passwords
The password is our gateway to the world … this or similar could describe the importance of the password. But what happens if the password is stolen or the ChurchTools account is hacked? If something like that happens, it is important to change your password as soon as possible to stop the attackers.
ChurchTools is now even more secure in this point, because when changing the password from now on, you will be logged out of ChurchTools everywhere, so also from the app. And likewise on other devices, such as the church PC or on your cell phone. This security measure makes it possible to immediately exclude unauthorized persons from one’s account.
When exactly does this happen? Basically, whenever the password is changed:
- I change my password by myself via my profile
- An admin changes the password for a person
- The password forgotten feature is used
This has made ChurchTools once again even more secure! 💪🏻
Security query in the app
The app has received a security update a few versions ago, so that a security query takes place first when calling up sensitive data. With the good intention of protecting the data, we exceeded the mark a bit. Churches and their users are very different and therefore it is now possible in ChurchTools (via Admin Settings > Privacy) to disable this security question for the app of users of your own church.
Further changes
If this is not enough for you, you will find all changes of this and earlier versions in our Changelog.
We hope you like the new version as much as we do. As always, you may leave praise and criticize in our forum.