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Accessing Your Data with Database Tools

Once Parable has successfully aggregated your church data and created your unified database, you’ll receive a database connection string that gives you direct access to all your tables. This guide will walk you through connecting to your data using popular database management tools, allowing you to run custom queries and create advanced reports.

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What You’ll Get

After Parable processes your church data, you’ll receive:
  • Database connection string: A secure URL containing your database credentials
  • Table documentation: Information about all available tables and their schemas
  • Read-only access: Secure, read-only querying capabilities for all your aggregated church data

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PGAdmin (Free)

PGAdmin is the most popular and feature-rich PostgreSQL administration tool, perfect for users who want a comprehensive database management experience. Best for: Advanced users, database administrators, complex queries Key Features:
  • Full-featured query editor with syntax highlighting
  • Visual query builder
  • Comprehensive table and schema browser
  • Built-in data visualization tools
  • Export capabilities (CSV, JSON, XML)

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TablePlus (Paid, with Free Trial)

TablePlus offers a modern, intuitive interface that makes database management accessible to users of all skill levels. Best for: Users who prefer clean, modern interfaces and simplified workflows Key Features:
  • Beautiful, native interface
  • Intelligent query editor with auto-completion
  • Quick data filtering and sorting
  • Multiple database connections
  • Export to various formats

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DataGrip (Paid)

JetBrains DataGrip is a powerful IDE specifically designed for database development and administration. Best for: Developers and power users who need advanced features Key Features:
  • Intelligent query console
  • Advanced code completion
  • On-the-fly error detection
  • Version control integration
  • Comprehensive refactoring tools

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How to Connect

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Step 1: Get Your Connection String

Your Parable dashboard will provide a connection string that looks like this: 
postgresql://username:password@host:port/database_name
Keep your connection string secure and never share it publicly. This provides read-only access to your church’s data, ensuring your source systems remain protected while you explore and analyze.

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Step 2: Configure Your Database Tool

  1. Open PGAdmin and right-click on “Servers” in the left panel
  2. Select “Create” > “Server”
  3. In the “General” tab, enter a name for your connection (e.g., “Parable Church Data”)
  4. Switch to the “Connection” tab and enter:
    • Host name/address: Extract from your connection string
    • Port: Usually 5432 (extract from connection string)
    • Maintenance database: Extract database name from connection string
    • Username: Extract from connection string
    • Password: Extract from connection string
  5. Click “Save” to establish the connection

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Step 3: Explore Your Data

Parable provides read-only access to your database. This ensures data integrity and prevents accidental modifications to your church’s data. You can safely run SELECT queries to analyze and export data without risk.
Once connected, you’ll see all your church data organized into tables. Common tables you might find include:
  • people: Individual congregation member records
  • families: Family groupings and relationships
  • giving: Donation and contribution records
  • attendance: Service and event attendance data
  • groups: Small groups, classes, and ministry participation
  • events: Church events and activities
  • volunteers: Volunteer assignments and schedules

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Common Queries to Get Started

Here are some useful queries to help you begin exploring your data:

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View All Available Tables

SELECT table_name
FROM information_schema.tables
WHERE table_schema = 'planning_center'
ORDER BY table_name;

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Get Total Active Members

SELECT COUNT(*) as active_members
FROM planning_center.people_people
WHERE status = 'active';

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More Examples Still to Come…

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Best Practices

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Security

  • Never share your connection string with unauthorized individuals
  • Read-only access is enforced - The database connection is read-only by design for data protection
  • Log out of your database tool when finished

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Performance

  • Limit large queries using LIMIT clause when exploring data
  • Use indexes efficiently by filtering on key columns like dates and IDs
  • Avoid SELECT * on large tables; specify only needed columns

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Data Integrity

  • Read-only protection - Your Parable database is read-only, preventing accidental data modifications
  • Test queries on small datasets first to optimize performance
  • Understand your schema before making assumptions about data relationships

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Troubleshooting

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Connection Issues

Problem: “Connection refused” or “Could not connect to server” Solution:
  • Verify your connection string is copied correctly
  • Check that your IP address is whitelisted (contact Parable support if needed)
  • Ensure you’re using the correct port (usually 5432)
Problem: “Authentication failed” Solution:
  • Double-check your username and password from the connection string
  • Ensure there are no extra spaces in your credentials

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Query Issues

Problem: “Permission denied” errors Solution: Your Parable database connection is read-only by design to protect your source data. This is not an error - it’s a security feature that ensures data integrity. Problem: Slow query performance Solution:
  • Add LIMIT clauses to large queries
  • Filter by date ranges to reduce dataset size
  • Contact Parable support for query optimization assistance

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Getting Help

  • Parable Support: Contact our team for connection issues or questions about your data schema
  • Tool Documentation: Each database tool has comprehensive documentation for advanced features
  • Community: Join our user community for query examples and best practices
Remember that your Parable database is continuously updated as your source systems change. This means your queries will always reflect the most current data from your church management systems.

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Next Steps

Now that you’re connected to your data, consider:
  1. Creating saved queries for reports you run regularly
  2. Setting up scheduled exports for leadership dashboards
  3. Exploring advanced visualization options within your database tool
  4. Building custom reports that combine data across multiple systems
Your unified church database opens up endless possibilities for data-driven insights and decision-making. Start with simple queries and gradually build more sophisticated analyses as you become comfortable with your data structure.