Tools we use:

Event Plugins

Having a place to list your events is imperative for a church website. The tools below work amazing, and both have add-ons that integrate with Facebook Events as well as pulling in the events you have in a master church calendar via iCal or Google, meaning you don't have to go in an put your events in multiple places, but you can aggregate them automatically if you want.

I also share a my preferred tools for registrations and collecting payments for events. Surprise, they aren't plugins but dedicated event solutions.

Preferred Event Plugins

The Events Calendar

My go-to for most sites. Visually, it is not a turn-key solution, but if you have a theme with an integration or use a Themer like Beaver Themer or Elementor you can make it look amazing.

  • The standard for events in WP world.
  • Has a non-profit application to get Pro for free!
  • Integrates with my Beaver Builder toolset.
  • Easy to navigate and create with.
  • Great developer community (emphasis on dev).

Price:
Free to $89/yr with a-la-carte add-ons.

EventOn

If they had a developer's license for unlimited sites this would be what I use. Visually it is beautiful to look at. It's pretty well coded. It's the only plugin from Codecanyon that I still actively use. I've been using this plugin for nearly 5 years now!

  • Looks amazing right out of the box. You don't need a 'integrated theme' or PHP know how.
  • Has a great library of add plugins to increase functionality.
  • Add calendar anywhere via shortcode.
  • Beautiful minimalistic design.

Price:
$24/lifetime + a-la-carte add-ons.

Handling Event Registrations

I'm all for WordPress, but one thing I've learned is that if there is something that another tool can do a lot better than WordPress then why not use it? Can you handle complex registrations with something like The Events Calendar? Sure! But it takes hours (like, a lot of hours) and money for add-ons to set up and configure. Even then, making it work is a headache!

When I got over my 'NO! I have to do this strictly on the website' mindset my life go easier. Now, I just take the registration URL from Brushfire or PCO and add it to the Event URL field in The Events Calendar. Easy peasy and headache free.

Brushfire

Visit Brushfire

Brushfire is my go-to for handling complex event registrations. I've used them going on three years and they have saved me hundreds of hours. I promise, making this move for registrations is worth it!

  • They build the event registrations based on your specs.
  • You don't have to wait on payouts like you do with Eventbrite.
  • Build in groups, payment plans and other complex options with ease.
  • Brand the page to look like it's part of your website.
  • Don't worry about purchasing all the add-ons and management it would take to do this strictly with WordPress.
  • Processing fees are comparable to any other payment processor.
  • Amazing support. I have made dozens of support and event updates requests. They are answered usually within an hour or two.

PCO

Visit PCO Registrations

I'm a raving fan of Planning Center suite as a whole and I really love PCO Registrations.

  • Allows sponsorships so people can give directly to this without having to go through a giving app.
  • Allows payment plans and deposits. Big plus for expensive events.
  • Ties right in with every other PCO module, keeping the database and flow of info tight and clean.
  • Lets your organize your attendees very well (vans, tables, rooms, and any other grouping you can think of)
  • Same great support that the whole PCO ecosystem enjoys.
  • Awesome reporting that lets you keep tabs on how the event is shaping up.