The world of Church Management Software (ChMS) is evolving—and for many churches, that evolution now includes something they didn’t expect: vendor acquisition.
The recent announcement that K1 Investment Management is selling Subsplash to Roper Technologies adds yet another chapter to the ongoing trend of consolidation in the church tech space. But Subsplash is hardly alone. Ministry Brands has spent the last several years acquiring various ChMS, giving, and auxiliary platforms, now moving many of them toward Amplify. Pushpay acquired Church Community Builder. Tithe.ly and Breeze joined forces. TouchPoint Software transitioned from Pursuant to Cass Information Systems. That’s just a snapshot of industry history, but you get the picture.
These changes raise important questions:
- What happens when your ChMS provider changes hands?
- Is it an opportunity, or a red flag?
- And how should your church respond?
This article isn’t about panic or speculation. It’s about wisdom—knowing what to look for, what to ask, and when it’s time to consider whether your current tools are still aligned with your mission.
Why Acquisitions Happen
(And What They Can Mean For You)
First, let’s normalize something: Mergers and acquisitions are a regular part of the tech industry, including church tech. Companies merge to scale faster, unlock new capital, or accelerate development. Sometimes, it means better features, stronger support, or a broader network. Other times, it may lead to changes in pricing models, leadership vision, or product direction that no longer align with your church’s needs.
It is wise to pause and evaluate, because discernment matters.
How Aligned Is Your Team?
5 Questions Church Leaders Should Ask When Their ChMS Changes Ownership
1. Who’s Doing The Buying—and Why?
Investigate the acquiring company. Are they a faith-based organization or a private equity firm? Are they known for customer-focused improvements—or for cost-cutting and consolidation?
Ask:
- What is the buyer’s track record with other acquisitions?
- Are they mission-aligned with churches, or profit-driven tech consolidators?
- Do they value long-term relationships or quick returns?
Even if the acquiring company is publicly traded, that doesn’t mean they understand ministry life, or they may have strong faith-based roots.
2. What Culture And Values Will Be Leading The Platform?
Churches run on trust, community, and discipleship. It’s worth asking whether the new leadership team shares or understands those values.
Try to discover:
- Are church leaders involved in product strategy?
- Are ministry goals part of the platform’s vision—or is the focus shifting to enterprise goals?
- Does the company still believe in serving the Church, or has it become a product among many in a portfolio?
3. What’s Happening To The Product Roadmap?
Most church tech providers have a development plan: new features, updates, integrations, or overhauls. An acquisition can accelerate—or cancel—those plans.
Ask:
- What was promised before the acquisition, and has anything changed?
- Are there new delays, feature shifts, or sunsetting plans on the horizon?
- Will the new company honor legacy pricing and roadmaps?
Churches should advocate for transparency. The software you rely on weekly, even daily, is too important to be left in the dark.
4. Are There Early Signs Of Disruption—or Stability?
Watch for changes in the early months post-acquisition. These often hint at what’s coming.
Warning signs might include:
- Changes in customer support or response times
- Shifts in billing or contract terms
- Delays in bug fixes or promised updates
- Lack of clear communication about the future
Positive signs might include:
- Improved infrastructure
- Increased investment in training and resources
- New integrations that truly serve ministry needs
Not all change is bad—but it should always be measured.
5. Is This Still The Best Tool To Support Our Mission?
This is the ultimate question.
Even if nothing changes dramatically after an acquisition, the moment offers your team a valuable opportunity: to reflect on whether your ChMS is still supporting the vision God has placed on your church.
Ask your staff:
- Are we using our current tools to their full potential?
- Do our tools enhance (or hinder) how we disciple, communicate, and lead?
- Are we staying out of loyalty, or because this tool is genuinely the best fit for our ministry?
Sometimes, the answer will be “We’re in a great place.” Other times, you’ll realize it may be time to explore new options—and that’s okay.
How Aligned Is Your Team?
I’m Using Subsplash! What Now?
If your church currently uses Subsplash, you might be wondering what this transition from K1 to Roper might mean for you. The good news? You don’t need to make any immediate changes. But this is a valuable moment to pause and ask a few wise questions.
K1, the previous owner of Subsplash, had a track record of investing in mission-driven platforms. Their acquisition of Subsplash—and later, Pulpit AI—was centered on equipping churches and faith-based communities with cutting-edge engagement tools. Their approach was more founder-focused and ministry-aware, with an emphasis on church-specific innovation.
Roper Technologies, on the other hand, is a publicly traded conglomerate that specializes in acquiring high-performing, niche software companies. They’re known for financial stability and long-term growth—but they are not specifically ministry-focused. Their portfolio includes companies in higher education, healthcare, and enterprise operations. While they often preserve existing operations, they’re less likely to prioritize the unique needs of churches unless it’s baked into their strategic plan.
So what should you do?
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- Watch For Shifts: Changes in roadmap, pricing, or customer support may signal a new direction.
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- Stay Informed: Reach out to your Subsplash representative and ask how the acquisition might impact features, contracts, or ministry support.
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- Discern The Fit: As the Subsplash platform evolves under Roper, take time to evaluate whether it still aligns with your church’s mission and ministry values.
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- Don’t Panic—But Be Proactive: This might be a great time to gather feedback from your staff and leadership team about what’s working, what’s not, and where your tech tools could better serve you.
The decision isn’t about software—it’s about mission alignment. Whether you stay or explore, make sure your church tech supports the vision God’s placed on your heart.
Let’s Get Honest
Take 5 minutes this week to honestly assess how well your current Church Management Software is meeting your ministry’s needs. Is it helping you move forward—or holding you back?
Even better—share our Assessment Tool with your full staff. Evaluate together if your tools are aligned with your strategy, your discipleship goals, and your church culture. The answers might surprise you—and they’ll absolutely help you lead with clarity.
