Messaging and automation

Messaging is how you reach people in your directory, whether it's a single note from someone's profile or a campaign to a whole segment. This article covers sending email and SMS, using templates, sending in bulk, scheduling messages, and how preferences keep your sends respectful.

Sending a message to one person

1. Open the person's profile.
2. Click Message. Their name, email, and phone are pre-filled.
3. Choose a channel: Email or SMS.
4. Write the message:
   • Subject (email only)
   • Body (rich text for email, plain text for SMS)
   • Attachments (email only)
5. Optionally select a template to pre-fill the content.
6. Click Send.

You can also send from the messaging center by choosing Compose, searching for the recipients, picking a channel, and sending.

Templates and merge fields

Templates save you from rewriting the same message and keep your wording consistent. They support merge fields written as {{variable_name}}, which fill in each recipient's details at send time. Common fields include:

• {{first_name}}
• {{last_name}}
• {{full_name}}
• {{email}}
• {{phone}}

If a value is missing, it renders as empty rather than showing a broken placeholder. Use Preview during compose to see how a template reads with real recipient data before you send. Your organization can also customize a platform template by creating an override under Settings > Communication Templates.

Sending in bulk

To reach a group, choose New Bulk Message, then select recipients from a saved segment or by building a filter, such as all volunteers or all members. Review the recipient count, compose your message with merge fields, and preview with a sample recipient before sending.

Forge adds safety checks as audiences grow:

Bulk SMS works the same way, but recipients need a phone number and SMS opt-in.

Scheduling messages

Instead of sending right away, click Schedule, pick a date and time, and confirm. The message waits in the scheduled view and goes out at the chosen time. Scheduled sends respect quiet hours and rate limits, so messages don't arrive at a bad time or pile up.

Preferences and opt-out

People control how they hear from you. Each person can opt in or out of email and SMS, set quiet hours, and be marked do-not-contact. Forge checks these at send time: if someone has opted out of a channel, the message is suppressed rather than sent, and the action is logged. To adjust preferences, open a person's profile, go to the Preferences tab, set their options, and save.

What you can message

Your messaging reach depends on your role. Admins and pastors can message church-wide, while other roles are limited to specific audiences such as members, volunteers, or staff. When you compose, the recipient list is filtered to what your role allows.

Tips

• Preview templates with sample data so merge fields read correctly before a large send.
• Lean on saved segments for repeat audiences instead of rebuilding filters each time.
• Trust the opt-out handling; suppressed messages protect both your people and your sender reputation.

Common questions

What happens if someone opted out? Their message is suppressed and not sent, and the suppression is logged.

Why am I asked to confirm or schedule a big send? Larger audiences trigger safety checks: confirmation at 100, a scheduled time at 500, and admin approval at 1,000.

Can I personalize a bulk message? Yes. Use merge fields like {{first_name}} so each recipient sees their own details.

Was this helpful, or missing something? Let us know.