A digital church bulletin is exactly what it sounds like—your weekly bulletin, delivered digitally instead of (or alongside) paper.
But here's what most churches get wrong: they think "digital" just means putting a PDF online. That misses the point entirely.
A true digital bulletin is interactive, accessible from any device, and distributed automatically to your congregation—whether they're in the pew on Sunday or home sick in bed.
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about digital church bulletins: why they work better than paper, what to include, how to make the transition, and how to choose the right tool for your church.
What Is a Digital Church Bulletin?
A digital church bulletin is an electronic version of your weekly church bulletin that members can access on their phones, tablets, or computers.
Unlike a static PDF, modern digital bulletins are:
- Mobile-first — designed to look great on phones
- Interactive — links to registration forms, online giving, videos
- Easy to update — make changes right up until service time
- Automatically distributed — sent via text message or email
The best part? No app required. Your congregation doesn't need to download anything—they just click a link.
Why Churches Are Going Digital
Paper bulletins have served churches well for decades. But they have real limitations:
The Problem with Paper
- They only reach people in the building. If someone misses Sunday, they miss the announcements.
- They can't be updated. Discovered a typo Saturday night? Too late.
- They're passive. No way to click through to register for an event or give online.
- They cost money. Printing, folding, and paper add up over a year.
- They get thrown away. Most bulletins end up in the trash by Monday.
What Digital Gets You
- Reach everyone, everywhere. Members get the bulletin whether they attend or not.
- Update anytime. Fix mistakes or add last-minute changes instantly.
- Drive action. One tap to register, give, watch a video, or RSVP.
- Save money. No printing costs. No paper waste.
- Track engagement. See who opened it and what they clicked.
And here's a number that matters: text messages have a 90%+ open rate. Compare that to the bulletin that gets glanced at during the sermon and forgotten by lunch.
What to Include in Your Digital Bulletin
Your digital bulletin should include everything someone needs to stay connected to your church that week:
- Order of service — songs, scripture, sermon title
- Announcements — what's happening this week and next
- Events — with links to register or add to calendar
- Giving link — make it easy to give
- Prayer requests — a way to submit or view requests
- Sermon notes — space to follow along or fill in blanks
- Connect card — for visitors to introduce themselves
- Contact info — how to reach the church or staff
The key difference from paper: everything is clickable. Don't just say "register at our website"—link directly to the registration form.
Digital vs. Paper: Do You Have to Choose?
Here's the question every church asks: "But what about our older members who want paper?"
Good news: you don't have to choose.
The best approach is an "AND" strategy, not "OR." Keep offering print bulletins for those who want them while adding digital for everyone else.
Over time, you'll likely see digital adoption grow naturally. But there's no need to force it. Meet people where they are.
The key is using a tool that lets you create once and publish everywhere—print, digital, email, text, and social media—without doing the work five times.
This is exactly what bltn does.
Build your bulletin once in our drag-and-drop builder, then publish to print, digital, email, text, and social—all from one place. Your workflow stays simple even when your distribution is everywhere.
How to Create a Digital Church Bulletin
You have three main options:
Option 1: Dedicated Church Bulletin Software (Recommended)
Purpose-built tools like bltn, Loop, or Bulletin Plus are designed specifically for church bulletins. They typically offer:
- Drag-and-drop builders
- Mobile-optimized templates
- Automatic distribution via text or email
- Integration with church management software
Best for: Churches that want a professional result with minimal effort.
Option 2: DIY with Free Tools
You can build a basic digital bulletin using Canva, Google Slides, or even a simple webpage. Create your content, export it, and share the link.
Best for: Very small churches with limited budget and someone tech-savvy to maintain it.
Limitation: No automatic distribution. You'll need to manually share the link each week.
Option 3: Church App
Some churches include bulletins in their church app. This works, but requires your congregation to download and open the app each week.
Best for: Churches already heavily invested in a church app.
Limitation: App downloads are a barrier. Many people won't install another app.
How to Transition Your Church to Digital Bulletins
Change is hard. Here's a gradual approach that works:
Week 1-2: Start with "Both"
Don't take anything away. Keep your print bulletin exactly as it is. Just add a digital version alongside it.
Announce it from the stage: "We're now offering a digital bulletin! Text 'BULLETIN' to [number] to get it on your phone."
Week 3-4: Encourage Digital
Put a QR code in the print bulletin and on the screen. Make it easy for people to try digital.
Share the benefits: "Our digital bulletin has clickable links—tap to register for events, give online, or watch this week's sermon."
Week 5+: Track Adoption
Watch your digital subscriber count grow. As it does, you might print fewer bulletins. Some churches eventually go digital-only; others maintain a small print run indefinitely.
There's no wrong answer—just do what serves your congregation.
Handling Resistance
"Our older members won't use it."
Some won't. That's okay—keep print for them. But you might be surprised. Many seniors are comfortable with text messages, especially if you make subscribing easy.
The goal isn't 100% adoption. It's reaching more people than you could with paper alone.
What to Look for in Digital Bulletin Software
If you're evaluating tools, here's what matters:
- Ease of use — Can a volunteer update it weekly without training?
- Mobile experience — Does it look good on phones? (This is where most people will view it.)
- Distribution — Can it send via text message? Email? Both?
- Print support — Can you generate a print version from the same content?
- No app required — Members shouldn't need to download anything.
- Integrations — Does it connect with Planning Center or your ChMS?
- Pricing — Is it affordable for your church size?
