ChurchLuma vs Shepherd: Which church tool fits your team?
Shepherd is a newer Ghana-based church management system built around WhatsApp check-in and mobile money giving. Here's how its mobile-first approach compares to ChurchLuma's workspace model.
Shepherd is a church management tool built in Accra, Ghana, designed around the idea that church software should work the way Ghanaian congregations already communicate — through WhatsApp and mobile money.
Its standout feature is WhatsApp-based member check-in: members can mark attendance through a WhatsApp message instead of using a separate app or sign-in sheet. Giving is handled through Paystack, supporting MTN MoMo, Vodafone Cash and AirtelTigo.
ChurchLuma takes a workspace approach — a single web-based environment for member records, attendance, service outlines, financial tracking, follow-ups and SMS. Both are built in Ghana. The question is which model matches how your team works.
Feature comparison
| Feature | ChurchLuma | Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Member records | Directory with families, departments, demographics, visitor tracking and online applications | Member profiles with youth tracking from children's church through young adulthood |
| Attendance | Name-based check-in by service and department with absentee tracking and follow-up integration | WhatsApp-based check-in — members mark attendance through WhatsApp messages |
| Giving & finance | Full income, expense, tithe and pledge tracking with offerings linked to services | Mobile money giving through Paystack (MTN MoMo, Vodafone Cash, AirtelTigo, cards) |
| Service planning | Service outlines with activity assignments, time slots and a published live view | Not listed as a feature |
| Communication | SMS messaging with templates, recipient groups and delivery tracking | WhatsApp as a primary communication and engagement channel |
| Follow-ups | Dedicated follow-up system with task assignment, contact history and progress tracking | Confirm task assignment and contact-history workflows with the vendor |
| Expense tracking | Full expense recording with categories and role-based access | Review the vendor materials or request a demo to confirm expense-recording workflows |
| Multi-branch | Branch-scoped access with per-branch permissions | Confirm branch structure and access controls with the vendor |
| Pricing | Published GHS plans; see current limits and terms | Review current pricing and plan limits directly with the vendor |
| Low-bandwidth support | Web-based; standard internet connection required | Built for low-bandwidth connections and mobile-first use |
Where ChurchLuma stands out
- Service outlines with assignments, timing and a published live view
- Full financial tracking: income, expenses, tithes, pledges — not just giving
- Dedicated follow-up workflow with task assignment and progress tracking
- Comprehensive member directory with families, departments and demographics
- Granular role-based permissions and audit trail
- Transparent GHS pricing with all features included at each plan level
Where Shepherd stands out
- WhatsApp-based attendance check-in — no separate app or device needed
- Mobile money giving through MTN MoMo, Vodafone Cash and AirtelTigo via Paystack
- Designed for low-bandwidth environments
- Youth tracking from children's church through young adulthood
- Leverages WhatsApp, which most Ghanaian church members already use daily
- Lower starting price for paid plans
Which should you choose?
Shepherd is worth considering if WhatsApp-based attendance and mobile money giving are your top priorities, especially for smaller churches where members are more likely to interact through WhatsApp than a web platform. Its low-bandwidth design is a real advantage in areas with inconsistent internet.
ChurchLuma may suit churches that need service planning, expense tracking, follow-up workflows and staff permissions alongside member records and attendance. Compare those workflows with Shepherd’s current product and test the tools your staff would use most.