The Community Hub

September Updates: Safer, Smarter Church App Features

Written by Called by Newman Ministry | Sep 24, 2025 2:28:51 PM

In ministry, details matter. A missed connection, a delayed welcome, or a confusing first step can leave someone on the outside looking in. That’s why every Called update is built with one goal in mind: creating a safe, people-first discipleship app that helps your members feel needed and known from day one.

This September, we’re introducing new features designed to help you get people plugged into your community faster, simplify your leadership, strengthen your community, and safeguard your people. Called is not just another tech platform—it’s the church app built for ministry by ministry.

Easily Add Members to Groups
We heard your feedback, and adding people to groups needed to be easier. Now, you can quickly place existing members into groups where they'll find connection and belonging.

A Better Welcome Experience
First impressions matter. Now, when leaders or members join a community, they’ll see a clear Welcome Message. This ensures every person knows what group they’re joining and why it matters before becoming part of your community. Ministry leaders can customize or use pre-designed templates.

No more confusion. No more missed context. Just clarity from the start.



Improved Invite Experience with Default Groups for New Members
Inviting new people to your community should be simple—and now it is. With the latest update, members land directly in the correct group chat after accepting an invite. You can now set groups that every new member will automatically join. This makes onboarding seamless and ensures people are immediately connected to what matters most in your community.

This smooth onboarding process keeps the momentum going and ensures newcomers immediately connect with the right people.

Confirmation Before Joining
We’ve added a confirmation modal before responding to invite links. This extra step reduces accidental joins and gives members more control, creating a safe and intentional environment for discipleship to grow.

Leader Assignment for Pending Members
Here’s one of the biggest updates for ministry leaders: you can now assign a leader and tags to pending members. That means before someone ever becomes active, they already have a guide. Leaders can welcome them personally, answer questions, and walk with them from the very first interaction.

This change is a game-changer for discipleship. It ensures that no one slips through the cracks and that everyone has a clear shepherd to walk alongside them.

Updated Leader Tools

We’ve refreshed with customized tools for leaders. Now you can:

  • Add a Welcome Message that sets the tone for your group. 
  • Customize your Community message to reflect your mission and identity.
This makes it easier to create spaces that feel intentional, safe, and aligned with your church’s discipleship goals.

Strengthened Safeguards for Minors
Called was created to be the only safe-environment app designed for ministry. This month's release continues to strengthen protections for minors, giving leaders confidence and peace of mind that their digital spaces reflect the same care they give in person.


Why Ministry Leaders Choose Called

There are plenty of apps that promise to “build community.” Group texts, social platforms, and even generic communication tools can help get messages out, but they weren’t made for ministry. Called is different.

Church App, Christian App, Discipleship App: Whatever you call it, Called is purpose-built to help your people grow in faith and relationship.

  • Safe Environment: Protect your members—especially minors—with built-in safeguards that are unique to this platform.
  • People-First App for Ministry: Designed with leaders and members in mind, every feature keeps your mission front and center.
  • Built for Ministry by Ministry: Called was born out of the real challenges pastors, ministry directors, and diocesan leaders face every day.

When you use Called, you’re not just downloading another tool—you’re stepping into a platform that helps your church live out its mission of discipleship in the digital age.

Partner with Called Today

This September’s updates are another step forward in our commitment to helping you shepherd your people well. Whether you’re leading a parish, a campus ministry, or a diocese, Called equips you with the tools to ensure your members are never alone.

Because discipleship doesn’t stop at Sunday—and with Called, neither does your ministry.