Bishopric Board vs Spreadsheets, Trello, and Group Texts

Familiar tools can work well; a shared leadership workspace helps when the same details keep being copied between them.

Start free · How your data is handled

Free forever. Works alongside LCR. Not for finances, worthiness discussions, or interview content.

Demo Ward calling board showing fictional candidates across calling milestones — See which calling needs attention next.

Demo Ward council agenda and follow-up assignments using fictional names — Keep the agenda and the next steps in the same shared place.

Demo Ward sacrament meeting program with fictional speakers and hymn selections — Bring the Sunday program’s hymns, speakers, and ward business together.

Screenshots use fictional Demo Ward or Demo Stake information only.

How it works

Find the repeated handoff
Notice where a name, date, or assignment is being copied from a message to a sheet and then into a program.
Choose one connected workflow
Try a calling board, one meeting agenda, or next Sunday’s program with fictional data first.
Keep a clear working source
Agree where the team will update planning information and who reviews it. Continue official recordkeeping in LCR.

The same work. Different ways to organize it.

Choose the approach that fits the work, not the other way around.
The work	Spreadsheets, boards, and messages	Bishopric Board
A Sunday program	A flexible document, with details copied in by hand.	Speakers, hymns, and ward business together with bulletin and conductor views.
Calling follow-up	A custom table or checklist your team maintains.	Dated milestones for approval review, sustaining, setting apart, and LCR follow-up.
Meeting assignments	Notes and messages can work well with a consistent review routine.	An owner, due date, and next review date alongside the agenda item.
Scheduling households	A shared sheet or individual conversations.	A household booking link with self-service appointment management.
Getting started	Familiar, flexible, and easy to customize.	A free ward or stake workspace with tools already organized around this work.
Official records	LCR remains the official record.	LCR remains the official record. No automatic LCR updates.

When a spreadsheet is enough

A shared sheet may be the right answer for a short, flexible list with a reliable owner. It is familiar and easy to customize. Use appropriate access settings and avoid sensitive content.

When a shared workspace helps

Bishopric Board organizes recurring work into calling stages, program views, leadership agendas, and appointment schedules. The practical benefit is clearer context and fewer manual handoffs, not a guarantee that no task will ever be missed.

Task boards and messages still have a place

A general task board such as Trello can support a team’s review routine, and group texts can be useful for quick coordination. Keeping the authoritative planning status in one agreed place reduces ambiguity. These are workflow observations, not claims that those tools lack reminders, permissions, or automation.

No live spreadsheet import or LCR sync is promised

The downloadable CSV templates are standalone files. This guide does not promise a live spreadsheet connection, a Trello migration, or automatic LCR updates. Move only the planning information your team actually needs.

Review exports and third-party access

A PDF, copied sheet, group message, or connected assistant can reach a different audience from the workspace. Review recipients and contents before sharing. Neither approach is a place for financial contributions, worthiness discussions, or interview narratives.

Frequently asked questions

Do we need to stop using spreadsheets?

No. A spreadsheet may remain useful for a flexible list. Start with one workflow that benefits from shared context rather than moving everything at once.

Does Bishopric Board import or sync our existing spreadsheet?

No live import or sync is promised here. Free CSV templates can be used in spreadsheet tools, but they do not stay connected to the app.

Is a task board always worse for follow-up?

No. A general task board can work well with a clear review routine. Bishopric Board provides leadership-specific context; the right choice depends on your team.

Does a shared workspace eliminate the need for messages?

No. Personal communication still matters. A shared workspace gives the team an agreed place to check the latest planning status.

Is Bishopric Board really free?

Yes. Bishopric Board is free forever. Optional donations are available inside the app; nothing is expected.

Does it replace LCR?

No. Leader and Clerk Resources is the Church’s official record. Bishopric Board helps with preparation and follow-through; it does not approve decisions or automatically update LCR.

Make more room for people.