Before you can send SMS text messages to your congregation through EvangelOS, members must explicitly opt in to receive them. This is not just a best practice — it is a legal requirement under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and regulations enforced by the FCC and mobile carriers.

This guide explains EvangelOS's SMS consent system, how to collect consent correctly, and what happens when members opt out.

SMS Communications require the Growth or Complete plan.

Why SMS Consent Is Required

The TCPA prohibits sending automated text messages to any person who has not given prior express written consent. Violations can result in fines of $500–$1,500 per message. Most SMS non-compliance issues in churches arise from two scenarios:

• Importing a member list and immediately sending SMS without collecting consent first.
• Assuming that because someone gave you their phone number, they consented to texts.

Giving a phone number is not the same as consenting to receive SMS communications. Consent must be separate and explicit.

How EvangelOS Enforces Consent

EvangelOS automatically enforces SMS consent at the platform level. You cannot send an SMS (manually or via automation) to a member whose SMS consent status is Not Set, Pending, or Opted Out. The platform will silently skip those recipients and log the skip.

Each member profile shows their SMS consent status under the Communications tab:

• Not Set — No consent on file. Cannot receive SMS.
• Pending — A consent request has been sent but the member has not yet confirmed. Cannot receive SMS until confirmed.
• Opted In — Member has given consent. Can receive SMS.
• Opted Out — Member previously consented but has since unsubscribed. Cannot receive SMS. This status cannot be overridden by staff.

How to Collect SMS Consent

Option 1: Keyword Opt-In (Recommended)

The easiest and most legally defensible method. Members can opt in by texting a keyword to the EvangelOS platform SMS number. Promote the keyword in your bulletin, welcome screen, or website: "Text JOIN to receive text updates from [Church Name]."

When a member texts the keyword, EvangelOS automatically sets their consent status to Opted In and sends a confirmation message. Contact EvangelOS support if you need to customize the opt-in keyword for your organization.

Option 2: Member Portal Opt-In

Members with a Member Portal account can manage their communication preferences from their profile settings, including opting in to SMS.

Option 3: Bulk Consent Import

If you have prior written consent on file (e.g., paper connection cards), you can bulk-update consent status during a member import. If you are unsure whether existing consent meets TCPA standards, consult your legal counsel before bulk-enabling SMS for a group.

Required Message Disclosures

When collecting SMS consent, your opt-in language must include:

• Your church's name
• What types of messages members will receive (e.g., service reminders, event notifications)
• Message frequency (e.g., "approximately 2–4 messages per month")
• A statement that message and data rates may apply
• How to opt out: "Reply STOP to unsubscribe"
• How to get help: "Reply HELP for assistance"

Example compliant opt-in language:
"By opting in, you agree to receive recurring text messages from [Church Name] including service updates and event reminders. Message and data rates may apply. Approx. 2–4 msg/month. Reply STOP to unsubscribe, HELP for help."

STOP and HELP Keywords

EvangelOS automatically handles the two carrier-required keywords:

• STOP — When a member replies STOP, EvangelOS immediately sets their consent status to Opted Out and sends a confirmation. Staff cannot override this or re-add the member to SMS lists.
• HELP — When a member replies HELP, EvangelOS sends an automated response with your church's support contact information.

Viewing Consent Status Across All Members

1. Go to People.
2. Click Filters and add a filter for SMS Consent Status.
3. Filter by Opted In, Opted Out, Pending, or Not Set to segment your list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I manually set a member's SMS status to Opted In?
Staff can set consent to Opted In for members who have provided documented written consent through an external channel (paper form, prior system, etc.). However, you cannot re-enable SMS for a member who has sent STOP — they must initiate opt-in themselves.

Does consent apply to all SMS messages?
Yes. Consent applies to all automated and manual SMS messages sent through EvangelOS, including automation workflows.

What if I send SMS to members without consent?
EvangelOS will not deliver the message to unconsented recipients. It is not possible to send a bulk SMS to Opted Out, Pending, or Not Set members through the platform.

Should I get legal advice about TCPA compliance?
For anything beyond the standard setup described in this article, we recommend consulting qualified legal counsel. This guide is informational and does not constitute legal advice.