Comments on: Arena as a CMS

By: Robby Morales

Robby Morales — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:48:14 +0000

Thanks for the post Steve. I was a pastor for 4 years and we used Shelby. Cost was definitely an issue so I can sympathize with Glenn. On the other hand, I worked with Open Source solutions as well and the security was very sketchy. I finally decided on http://churchinsight.com and it addressed both the security and cost issues. Thanks again!

By: In the Arena : Doing Your Homework

In the Arena : Doing Your Homework — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:28:25 +0000

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By: chrisrivers

chrisrivers — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:40:45 +0000

Well said Steve!

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:10:37 +0000

Fellowship One provides a cost effective solution for plant and small churches that gives them robust functionality that has historically been accessible only to mega churches. There are price and cost considerations for any system, even open source. Time is expensive, and potential lack of functionality comes at a high cost…but a low price. Shelby Arena and Fellowship One both provide a great solution and both should make their products affordable to smaller churches. The great debate between cost and price continues. I think that saying the “issue with these big systems” is cost cost cost is not accurate. Price vs Cost analysis should always be performed when choosing a ChMS. When this done at a comprehensive level it is amazing how affordable these two systems become. God has blessed this market with several legitimate solutions, which does God want you to use to carry out His mission?

By: Glenn

Glenn — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:51:07 +0000

The issue with these big systems is really simple.
COST COST COST COST COST

How many church plants – how many medium churches – and how many smaller churches can afford ARENA – F1 etc etc.

We use the WEC system – and I have setup churches even using Word Press simply due to COST COST COST.

Bottom line for us was simple.

We buy food @ 27 cents a pound – serve the nations poorest city – feed, clothe and also minister to the souls of many who are lost.

Spending that revenue on a CMS vs an open source free alternative did not make sense…

that being said – if a church can afford it – pretty cool stuff.