How to Create a Church Directory

Online vs. printed: pick one

• Online: always current, searchable, mobile-friendly, opt-in privacy controls. Best for almost every church.
• Printed: nice keepsake, but outdated within months. Print only if your congregation skews older and prefers physical.
• Best of both: keep the live online directory; print a 'family album' once a year for the older members.

Free online directory (Faith Common)

• Claim your free church page.
• Invite members via shareable code — they sign up with name, photo, and opt-in fields.
• Members can save your church, follow announcements, and message group leaders.
• Privacy is RLS-protected: only verified members see directory contact info.

DIY directory in Google Sheets / Word

• Use a Google Form to collect: name, family members, photo upload, phone (opt-in), email (opt-in), ministry.
• Pipe responses into a Google Sheet with restricted sharing.
• Export to a Word/Canva template for a printable version.
• Limitation: no self-service updates, no mobile app, no notifications.

Photo directory best practices

• Schedule a 'photo Sunday' with a volunteer photographer + neutral backdrop.
• Allow people to submit their own photos via upload.
• Use consistent crop (square, head-and-shoulders).
• Tag each photo with the person's name so members can search.

Privacy rules (don't skip)

• Every field besides name+photo should be opt-in.
• Never list children's contact info.
• Restrict directory access to verified members only.
• Have a clear deletion/opt-out path.
• Store data with a provider that has RLS + clear privacy policy.

Get started

The fastest path: claim a free Faith Common church page, invite members with a 6-character code, and you have a working directory + public profile in one afternoon. No $99/year, no spreadsheet sprawl.