Adventist Connect Transition

As we prepare to launch the new Adventist Connect platform, we know you may have questions about what this transition means for your church or school website. Below, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to help guide you through the process. Whether you’re wondering about new features, customization options, or support resources, we’re here to assist in every step of the way.
If you don’t see the answer to your question here, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re excited to help your ministry thrive in the digital age!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Adventist Connect, and how does it differ from Adventist Church Connect and Adventist School Connect?

Adventist Connect is the next-generation platform designed on WordPress to replace both Adventist Church Connect and Adventist School Connect, offering a unified, modernized solution for church and school websites across the North American Division. It builds on the foundation of the previous platforms but introduces significant enhancements in both functionality and user experience. The system will be hosted on the NAD Cloud.

When will the transition to Adventist Connect happen?

The transition to Adventist Connect will happen in phases, beginning in the Fall of 2024 and continuing through 2025 to ensure a smooth and seamless process for all users and websites.

In the Fall of 2024, we will start by transitioning websites that use their own custom domain names. The domain administrators of these sites will need to update their DNS settings to point to the new Adventist Connect name servers. This step is critical for sites to continue functioning properly on the new platform. Making the transition now will ensure that the domain will continue pointing to the existing site and that it will be ready to seamlessly migrate to the new site when it’s ready.

Starting in the Spring of 2025, we will begin a phased migration of all sites. Starting with a relaunch of the basic, or 1.0 sites, this process will ensure that each church and school website transitions smoothly with no disruption. During this time, users will receive detailed instructions and support to make the switch seamlessly. Our goal is to complete the migration in stages to provide ongoing support and training at every step of the way.

Will there be any downtime for our church or school website during the transition?

For most users, the transition will be seamless, especially for those who follow the necessary steps, such as updating DNS settings if you use your own domain. The method and approach we’re taking to the migration should not result in any downtime and should be a seamless transition. Our support team will be available and assist you throughout the process.

What are the nest steps I need to prepare my site for the transition?

To prepare your site for the transition to Adventist Connect, follow these key steps:

1. Stay Informed: Sign up for email updates at Adventist Connect to receive important notifications, training opportunities, and timelines.
2. Review Your Current Content: Take inventory of your current website content and update or remove any outdated information. This will make the migration smoother and ensure your new site is up to date.
3. Prepare for DNS Changes: If your church or school uses its own domain, ensure your domain name administrator is prepared to update the DNS settings to the new Adventist Connect name servers when notified or now. Change your "Name Servers" to:
       • ns1.adventistconnect.org
       • ns2.adventistconnect.org
       • ns3.adventistconnect.org
       • ns4.adventistconnect.org
       • Advanced DNS users should switch to the updated A record IP Address: 160.238.31.236
4. Plan for Training: Identify key personnel who will manage your site and ensure they are available to participate in training sessions we will provide.

How will the migration process work for our existing site? Will all our content transfer over?

The migration process from Adventist Church and School Connect to Adventist Connect will be carefully managed to ensure a smooth transition. Here’s what you can expect:

• Phased Migration: The transition will take place in phases, allowing for a smooth and organized process. During the migration, sites that use their own domain name will need to update their DNS settings to point to the new Adventist Connect Name Servers. This will start in Fall 2024. In Spring 2025, we will begin the phased migration of sites to the new platform.
• Content Transfer: The core content of your existing site, including pages, text, images, and media, will be migrated to Adventist Connect. We will ensure that key information like sermons, announcements, and events are preserved and transferred correctly. However, depending on the complexity of your current setup, some elements may require minor adjustments or reconfiguration to fit within the new platform’s structure, though we are taking every precaution that all content is appropriately migrated.
• Review, Customization, Publishing: After migration, you will have the opportunity to review your site and make any desired updates or customizations using the flexible tools on Adventist Connect before going live with the new site. Our team will be available to provide guidance and support to ensure the site meets your needs.
• Minimizing Disruption: Our goal is to have zero downtime during the migration, so your community can continue to access your site without interruption.
• Our team will guide you every step of the way, ensuring your content transfers seamlessly and your site is ready for the new platform.

Will we need to redesign our websites from scratch?

As part of the migration to Adventist Connect, we will transfer your existing content — including text, images, and media — over to the new platform. You will have a series of custom-designed theme templates to choose from. You will be free to choose which ever theme best fits your ministry’s identity.

With Adventist Connect, and the underlying WordPress platform, you’ll have greater design flexibility and functionality. You can choose to update your website's layout, design, and features at any point if you wish to take advantage of the new options available. Our support team will be there to assist you with any questions as you make design improvements and customizations, ensuring your site looks great and functions seamlessly on the new platform.

Will our website domain name remain the same?

Yes, your existing website's domain name can remain the same on the new Adventist Connect platform. If your church or school currently uses a custom domain, you’ll need to update your DNS settings to point to the new Adventist Connect name servers as part of the transition. We’ll provide detailed instructions on how to make this update to ensure a smooth process. If your site is using a default Adventist Church Connect (AdventistChurch.org) or Adventist School Connect (AdventistSchoolConnect.org) domain, your URL will automatically transition to the new platform without any disruption.

What new features can we expect with Adventist Connect?

Adventist Connect will introduce several exciting new features designed to make managing your church or school website easier, more flexible, and more powerful. The platform will be built on WordPress, one of the world’s leading content management systems, offering a variety of features that will enhance your digital presence.

Some of the key features include:

• User-Friendly Interface: A modern, intuitive design that makes it simple for users of all technical skill levels to update and manage their websites.
• Customizable Themes: A wide selection of professionally designed templates, with the flexibility to customize the look and feel of your site to reflect your church or school’s unique identity.
• Improved Media Management: Easily upload and manage photos, videos, and documents with WordPress’ streamlined media library.
• Enhanced SEO Tools: Built-in search engine optimization tools to help improve your website’s visibility on search engines like Google, making it easier for people to find you online.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Every website will automatically adapt to different screen sizes, providing a seamless experience on both desktop and mobile devices.
• NAD Cloud Hosting: All websites will be hosted on the secure NAD Cloud, ensuring reliable performance, data security, and peace of mind knowing your content is managed within a trusted environment.

These features are designed to provide your church or school with the tools needed to better connect with your      community and enhance your online presence.

Can we customize our website on Adventist Connect? If so, what customization options are available?

Yes, Adventist Connect offers a range of customization options to ensure your church or school website reflects your unique identity and mission. Built on WordPress, the Advanced sites provides extensive flexibility to tailor your website to your needs.

Here are some of the key customization options:

• Customizable Themes: Choose from a variety of professionally designed themes that can be easily customized with your logo, colors, and branding to align with your church or school’s visual identity.
• Drag-and-Drop Page Builder: With an intuitive, user-friendly drag-and-drop builder, you can easily design pages, add sections, and rearrange content without needing any coding experience.
• Menu and Navigation Control: Fully control your site’s menus and navigation structure to highlight important areas like ministries, events, and announcements.
• Custom Widgets and Plugins: Access a selection of plugins and widgets to add extra features such as social media feeds, event calendars, contact forms, and more.
• Personalized Content Areas: Showcase key elements like sermons, events, announcements, and galleries through dedicated content blocks tailored for churches and schools.
• Integrations: Manage events, calendar integrations, directly on your website. Adventist Connect also supports multimedia integrations, allowing for the easy embedding of videos, live streams, and podcasts.

Adventist Connect provides the tools and flexibility for you to create a website that not only looks great but also serves your community’s specific needs.

Are there templates available for churches or schools who don’t have a web designer?

Yes! Adventist Connect offers a wide variety of pre-designed templates specifically created for churches and schools. These templates are professionally designed, user-friendly, and fully customizable, so even if your church or school doesn't have a web designer, you can easily deploy a beautiful and functional website.

The templates cater to different needs, such as worship services, events, school programs, ministries, and more. You can quickly modify the content, colors, and images to reflect your church’s or school’s identity, making it simple to create an engaging and unique online presence without needing advanced technical skills.

Will there be training resources available for pastors, principals, communicators, and webmasters?

Yes, there will be comprehensive training resources available for all users, including pastors, principals, communicators, and webmasters. As we transition to Adventist Connect, we are committed to making the process as smooth as possible. To achieve this, we’ll provide a variety of resources such as:

• Online video tutorials that will walk you through key features and functions of the platform.
• Step-by-step guides for setting up and customizing your website.
• Live webinars where you can ask questions and get real-time demonstrations.
• Dedicated support to help with specific issues or questions.

Whether you’re new to website management or a seasoned webmaster, our resources will be designed to help you quickly get up to speed and make the most of Adventist Connect’s tools and features.

Will we be able to track website analytics, such as visitor statistics, on the new platform?

Yes, Adventist Connect will offer website analytics. With the integration of WordPress, you'll have access to built-in analytics features that provide insights into visitor statistics, page views, and more. Additionally, you can easily integrate with tools like Google Analytics for more detailed tracking and reporting. These insights will help churches and schools better understand their audience and optimize their digital outreach strategies.

What types of security measures are in place to protect our website’s data on Adventist Connect?

Adventist Connect is hosted on the NAD Cloud, ensuring a high level of security and reliability. The platform employs SSL encryption to protect data during transmission, ensuring secure communication between your website and its visitors. In addition to automatically updating WordPress and all the additional plugin, we are deploying robust security features that help safeguard your website from threats, including firewalls, regular security updates to the OS, and proactive malware scanning.

The Adventist Connect team in conjunction with the NAD’s IT infrastructure team will continuously monitors the environment, implementing best practices for data protection and backup systems.

Is there a cost for churches or schools to use the Adventist Connect platform?

No! Adventist Connect is provided at no cost to churches and schools within the North American Division. This platform continues the mission of ACC/ASC by offering an accessible, user-friendly website solution for every church and school, furthering the NAD's ongoing commitment to supporting digital ministry across our communities.

Our church or school isn’t on Adventist Church and School Connect, we’re on another platform (Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, etc.), can we join Adventist Connect?

Yes, your church or school can absolutely join Adventist Connect, even if you're currently using another platform. Adventist Connect is open to any church or school within the North American Division. Our team would be happy to talk with you about the process of getting setup on the Adventist Connect platform. If you’re still unsure, or want to learn more, that’s okay. We’d be more than happy to connect with you and find out what your specific needs are. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve the platform.

I see references to Basic and Advanced sites on the new Adventist Connect platform. What are these and how do they relate to ACC 1.0 and 3.0?

Adventist Connect offers two types of website options to meet different needs: Basic sites and Advanced sites.

• Basic sites are automatically generated, non-editable websites provided for every church and school in the NAD. These sites pull information directly from eAdventist, the NAD membership management tool, for organizations that don’t list their own domain in eAdventist. While non-customizable, Basic Sites have a refreshed, modern look and are mobile-friendly. They serve a critical need for churches or schools that may not have the time or resources to manage a full-featured website, ensuring that essential information is always available online.
• Advanced sites are an evolution of the ACC 3.0 model, offering a more robust experience with advanced customization options, enhanced features, and greater flexibility for those who want to tailor their website more extensively. Advanced sites are built on the WordPress platform, allowing for a richer variety of themes, plugins, and design control.

Both options will benefit from improved performance, security, and scalability. Whether your organization needs a simple, hands-off solution or a fully-featured, customizable site, Adventist Connect is here to serve you.

How do we provide feedback or suggest improvements for the platform?

We value your input as we continue to develop and improve Adventist Connect. To share feedback or suggest enhancements, you can submit suggestions here. During and after the transition process, we have support channels where you can submit your thoughts. Additionally, you can participate in surveys sent via email or connect with our team at conferences and events.

Your feedback is crucial in shaping the future of Adventist Connect, so we encourage you to actively engage with us as we work to make the platform even more effective for digital ministry.

Who can we contact for support during and after the transition?

Support for your church or school will continue to be provided by the existing Adventist Church and School Connect support team. You can reach the support team at https://www.adventistchurchconnect.com/contact.

As we journey through the transition, a new support system and knowledgebase will be established for the Adventist Connect platform. Support for ACC/ASC will continue to be provided and will be integrated into the support channels of Adventist Connect.

We will provide clear instructions and links for the new support channels as we approach the final migration. 
In the meantime, stay informed with the latest updates, by signing up for email notifications at https://welcome.adventistconnect.org/.