Many churches today use public email such from Google (Gmail) and Yahoo (Yahoo Mail) for communications between staff members. They’re free! And most people already have an address they prefer and have on their mobile phone. However, with most churches now with a website at a domain, it just may make sense to have email addresses that are specific to the church and managed by the church.
There are four big reasons though that so many end up using these services instead of domain-based email (pastor@yourchurch.org) — and none of them are technological. They’re mostly financial or capacity-related. It may just be last on a long list of things to do.
1. Simplicity & Familiarity (the #1 reason)
Most churches — especially small and mid-sized ones — run on volunteers and part-time staff. Gmail “just works,” and everyone already knows how to use it.
“Our volunteers already understand Gmail. Let’s not make it complicated.”
No need for:
- Domain configuration
- DNS record changes
- MX records
- Admin dashboards
- Password management
- IT policies
Gmail feels low-risk and easy.
2. Churches assume domain email costs money — even though Google Workspace is free for nonprofits
Many churches simply do not realize that:
Google Workspace for Nonprofits = FREE. And if approved, Microsoft 365 Email is free.
- Real @churchdomain.org emails
- Gmail interface (online Outlook if Microsoft)
- Calendar, Online Storage
- Admin controls
Most churches either:
- Don’t know it exists
- Think it’s difficult to apply
- Never had someone champion the migration
“Gmail” specific to your church is free and it’s easy!
3. No IT staff = fear of “breaking something”
The concepts involved in domain email setup (DNS, MX, TXT, SPF, DKIM, DMARC) sound intimidating.
So many churches think:
“If we switch the way we’re doing email and take it on ourselves, something important might stop working.”
Or:
“We don’t want email downtime — leave it alone.”
When the technical skills of staff or volunteers is limited, Gmail feels safer, even if it’s less professional.
4. “Good enough” mentality + task overload
Church staff are often juggling:
- Sermon planning
- Worship logistics
- Volunteers
- Events
- Counseling
- Communications
- Social media
- Giving
- Facilities
- Community outreach
Email branding feels like a nice-to-have, not a priority.
So they stick with processes that were set up 10 years ago, often by:
- A previous pastor
- An old volunteer
- A teenager who helped with computers
- A denominational template
The default email often becomes permanent simply due to inertia.
Bonus reason: Some pastors don’t view email as part of the church’s “brand”
Pastors often focus more on:
- Preaching
- Pastoral care
- Community needs
- Worship
- Missions
Branding or professionalism, while important, may not feel urgent to them.
So the distinction between:
…doesn’t feel like a strategic decision.
Why Churches Should Switch to Domain Email
Here’s where your product-leadership brain will nod:
Brand trust & credibility: A domain email says:
- Established
- Reliable
- Legitimate
- Donor-safe
A Gmail address feels temporary, unprofessional and even disconnected from the church.
Deliverability: Domain email + SPF/DKIM/DMARC = far fewer people see your church’s messages in spam.
Security: Workspace = enterprise-grade protections.
Team continuity: Shared inboxes, account recovery, and controlled access when staff turnover happens
Church Email Migration Checklist (Staff & Volunteers)
A simple, step-by-step guide to upgrade everyone to @yourchurch.org email.
1. Pre-Migration Prep for Moving to Domain-Based Email
- Confirm your church domain name is active (e.g., yourchurch.org)
- List all users who need accounts:
- Pastor
- Worship / music leader
- Children/youth ministry
- Treasurer/finance
- Admin
- Volunteers needing access
- Decide which type of account each person gets:
- Full mailbox (e.g., pastor@yourchurch.org)
- Role-based (e.g., info@, prayer@, giving@)
- Shared mailbox or alias
- Collect current emails everyone uses (Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, etc.)
- Document any data to migrate:
- Emails
- Contacts
- Calendars
2. Create New Accounts (Google Workspace or Microsoft 365)
- Set up each new domain email account
- Assign the proper license (Microsoft nonprofit or Google Workspace)
- Create temporary passwords for each user
- Turn on 2-step verification (highly recommended)
- Add admin(s) who will manage accounts going forward:
- Senior pastor
- Office administrator
- Tech volunteer
3. Migrate Existing Email (If Needed)
For each user, determine whether you will:
- Migrate inbox to new account
- Start fresh
- Forward only
- Use built-in migration tools (Google or Microsoft)
- Move contacts/address book
- Move calendar events
- Confirm all important emails transferred properly
4. Update DNS / MX Records
Usually done by the tech lead or a volunteer familiar with DNS.)
- Add TXT record for domain verification
- Update MX records to point to Google or Microsoft
- Add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC (to prevent spam issues)
- Wait 1–24 hours for propagation
- Test sending/receiving email for each new user
5. Train Staff & Volunteers
- Provide login instructions and temporary passwords.
- how how to change passwords and set up 2FA.
- Confirm everyone can access email via
- Web browser
- Mobile (iPhone/Android)
- Optional: desktop apps (Outlook/Apple Mail)
- Show how to:
- Send & receive
- Manage contacts
- Use calendars
- Use shared mailboxes (if applicable)
6. Update All Public-Facing Places
- Website contact pages
- ChMS (Faith Teams)
- Social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)
- Online giving platforms
- Email newsletters (Faith Teams, Mailchimp, Constant Contact, etc.)
- Event registrations (Faith Teams, Eventbrite)
- Printed materials:
- Bulletins
- Connection cards
- Business cards
- Signage
7. Update Internal Systems
Update emails inside:
- Wi-Fi router admin email
- Streaming accounts (YouTube, Facebook Live, Restream)
- Financial systems (Faith Teams Giving, Stripe)
- Domain registrar
- Volunteer systems
- Website hosting logins
- Apple/Google accounts for church devices
- Password management tool (if you use one)
8. Set Up Forwarding From Old Accounts
- Forward mail from old Gmail/Yahoo/etc
- Add auto-reply/auto-responder: “Our email has changed! Please update your records to pastor@yourchurch.org”
- Keep old accounts active for 30–90 days
- Slowly shut down old accounts after transition
NOTE: If users were using personal accounts, forwarding may not be possible or acceptable by owners of those accounts.
9. Test Everything (Critical Step)
For every new church email account:
- Send a test email to
- Send a test email from
- Send to Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook to confirm deliverability
- Test sending attachments
- Test contact syncing
- Test mobile access
- Test calendar sharing
10. Finalize & Document
Document:
- Admin login
- DNS provider
- Recovery codes
- Staff access levels
- Create a “Church Email Policy” (lightweight is fine).
- Ensure all volunteers know who to contact for help.
- Store documentation securely (Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive).
