Posts or chat? To help you better understand when you can use the various means of communication, we have summarized a few differences and use cases here.

This allows you to independently assess which function can be used in your congregation and when.

What’s the difference between posts and chat? #

• Communication with posts does not take place in real time, but it does in chat.
• You can deal with one topic per Post and discuss it in the comments. In a chat, it is much more difficult to have a topic-based conversation without digressing.
• The creator of a post does not have to be able to see the readers. When chatting, every chat participant can see all other participants.
• Posts can be used for one-way communication (e.g. announcements). Chat is more about mutual communication on the same level, which requires answers.
• Posts are more long-lasting (more static). Older messages are quickly hidden from view in chat and it is better suited to a faster form of communication.
• Posts can initiate a topic, which is then followed up on other channels (e.g. search-bid …)
• Posts can be shared publicly. A ChurchTools user account is required to participate in the chat.

When should I use posts and when should I use chat? #

• Posts are more suitable for many recipients (e.g. for announcements/information). They can replace e.g. circular mails or read-only chats and can be expanded to include the function that recipients can write comments.
• Chat is more suitable for a small number of recipients who need to receive the information quickly or who have a question that requires a quick answer, as the recipients are notified of the new message and can reply directly.
• For public information that should also reach people who are not registered in your ChurchTools, posts are more suitable, as you can make them publicly visible and, for example, embed them on your website.