Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
How long does setup take?
Most teams go from sign-up to asking their first question in under ten minutes. The longest part is usually generating an API key if you’re connecting Rock RMS.
Do I need technical skills to use Bellwether?
No. You type questions in plain language and Bellwether handles the rest. If you can use a search engine, you can use Bellwether.
Can multiple people on my team use the same account?
Each person gets their own login, but everyone in the organization shares the same connected data and integration. Invite team members from your organization settings.
Data & Privacy
Does the AI train on my church’s data?
No. Bellwether uses Anthropic’s Claude API, which does not use customer data for model training. Your data is processed to generate answers and is not retained by Anthropic beyond the processing window.
Is my data stored on Bellwether’s servers?
Bellwether stores your account info, integration credentials (encrypted), and chat history. It does not store a copy of your ChMS database. Church data is fetched in real time when you ask a question. See Your Data for full details.
Can Bellwether modify data in my ChMS?
No. All connections are read-only. Bellwether can look up records but cannot create, edit, or delete anything in Planning Center or Rock RMS.
Integrations
Which church management systems does Bellwether support?
Currently Planning Center (via OAuth) and Rock RMS (via API key). More integrations are on the roadmap.
I use a different ChMS. Can I still use Bellwether?
Not yet for the chat features that pull from your church data. Let us know what system you use at support@bellwetherapp.ai — it helps us decide what to build next.
What happens if I disconnect my integration?
Bellwether immediately loses access to your ChMS data. The stored credentials are deleted. You can reconnect at any time.
Using Bellwether
What kinds of questions can I ask?
Anything about your church data — attendance, people, groups, volunteers, visitors, trends, comparisons. See Use Cases for examples.
Does Bellwether remember previous conversations?
Each conversation is independent. Bellwether remembers context within a single conversation (so follow-up questions work), but starting a new chat starts fresh.
What if Bellwether gives me a wrong answer?
Use the thumbs-down feedback button on any response to flag it. If data looks incorrect, the most common cause is a permissions issue with your ChMS connection — check that your integration has access to the relevant data categories.
Billing
How does pricing work?
Bellwether uses a subscription model managed through Stripe. You can see current plans and manage your subscription from your organization settings.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Cancel from your organization’s billing settings. Your access continues through the end of the current billing period.
Is there a free trial?
Check the current pricing page after signing in for the latest on trial availability and plan options.