Planning Center Groups Data Model

This document provides complete documentation of the Planning Center Groups data model in Parable, including all tables, fields, and relationships.

Overview

The Groups module contains 18 entity tables and 7 relationship tables supporting small groups, classes, teams, group events, attendance tracking, enrollment management, and event RSVPs.

Visual Data Model

The diagram below shows the core entities and their relationships in the Groups module. Use it as a visual reference while exploring the detailed table definitions below.

Core Entity Relationships

Open diagram in new tab →

Key Relationships Explained

Group Structure:

GROUP_TYPE categorizes groups (small groups, classes, teams, etc.)
GROUPs are organized by type with flexible hierarchies
MEMBERSHIPs link people to groups with roles (member, leader, owner)

Enrollment Process:

ENROLLMENT tracks join requests and approvals
Separate from MEMBERSHIP to handle pending/requested states
Once approved, becomes an active MEMBERSHIP

Event Management:

Groups host EVENTs (meetings, activities, gatherings)
ATTENDANCE tracks who actually attended
RSVPs track who plans to attend
EVENT_NOTEs provide additional context

Generic Relationship Pattern:

Location association via groups_group_relationships (relationship_type: location)
Campus linkage via groups_group_relationships (relationship_type: campus)
Resource assignments via groups_group_relationships

Tagging System:

TAG_GROUPs organize related tags
TAGs enable flexible categorization across groups
Applied via relationship tables

Query Requirements

Schema Prefix

IMPORTANT: All tables in the Planning Center Groups module are in the planning_center schema. You MUST prefix all table names with planning_center. in your queries. ✅ CORRECT: SELECT * FROM planning_center.groups_groups ❌ INCORRECT: SELECT * FROM groups_groups

Row Level Security (RLS)

This database uses Row Level Security (RLS) to automatically filter data based on:

tenant_organization_id: You only see data for your current organization
system_status: You only see ‘active’ records by default

DO NOT add these filters to your WHERE clause - they are applied automatically:

❌ WHERE tenant_organization_id = 1 (unnecessary)
❌ WHERE system_status = 'active' (unnecessary)

The RLS policies ensure you only access data you’re authorized to see, making these filters redundant and potentially causing performance issues.

Core Tables Overview

Primary Entity Tables

groups_groups - Small groups, classes, and teams
groups_people - People who can join groups
groups_memberships - Connections between people and groups
groups_events - Group meetings and gatherings
groups_attendances - Event attendance records
groups_rsvps - Event RSVP responses from group members
groups_group_types - Categories for organizing groups
groups_locations - Physical meeting places
groups_enrollments - Sign-up and registration management

Supporting Entity Tables

groups_campuses - Campus locations
groups_campus_groups - Links between campuses and groups
groups_event_notes - Notes for events
groups_group_applications - Applications to join groups
groups_organizations - Organization settings
groups_owners - Group ownership information
groups_resources - Group resources
groups_tags - Labels for group characteristics
groups_tag_groups - Tag groupings

Relationship Tables

groups_group_relationships - Links groups to other entities
groups_membership_relationships - Links memberships to related entities
groups_event_relationships - Links events to related entities
groups_attendance_relationships - Links attendances to related entities
groups_rsvp_relationships - Links RSVPs to events, groups, and people
groups_enrollment_relationships - Links enrollments to related entities
groups_group_application_relationships - Links applications to related entities

Table Definitions

groups_groups

Small groups, classes, teams, and other group entities.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`group_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center group ID
`archived_at`	TIMESTAMP	When group was archived (NULL = active)
`contact_email`	VARCHAR(255)	Group contact email
`created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When group was created
`description`	TEXT	Group description
`events_visibility`	VARCHAR(255)	Event visibility setting
`header_image`	JSONB	Group header image data
`leaders_can_search_people_database`	BOOLEAN	Leader permission setting
`location_type_preference`	VARCHAR(255)	‘physical’, ‘virtual’, or ‘hybrid’
`memberships_count`	INTEGER	Current member count
`name`	VARCHAR(255)	Group name
`public_church_center_web_url`	VARCHAR(2048)	Public group URL
`schedule`	VARCHAR(255)	Meeting schedule description
`virtual_location_url`	VARCHAR(2048)	Online meeting URL
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status: ‘active’, ‘transferring’, ‘stale’
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_people

People who can participate in groups.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`person_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center person ID
`permissions`	VARCHAR(50)	Person’s permission level
`created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When person was added to Groups
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_memberships

Connections between people and groups with roles.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`membership_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center membership ID
`joined_at`	TIMESTAMP	When person joined group
`role`	VARCHAR(255)	‘member’ or ‘leader’
`group_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Associated group ID (direct reference)
`person_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Associated person ID (direct reference)
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

Note: This table uses direct ID columns for performance optimization.

groups_events

Group meetings, gatherings, and activities.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`event_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center event ID
`attendance_requests_enabled`	BOOLEAN	Requesting attendance responses
`automated_reminder_enabled`	BOOLEAN	Auto-reminders enabled
`canceled`	BOOLEAN	Cancellation status
`canceled_at`	TIMESTAMP	When event was canceled
`description`	TEXT	Event description
`ends_at`	TIMESTAMP	Event end time
`location_type_preference`	VARCHAR(255)	‘physical’ or ‘virtual’
`multi_day`	BOOLEAN	Spans multiple days
`name`	VARCHAR(255)	Event name
`reminders_sent`	BOOLEAN	Reminders have been sent
`reminders_sent_at`	TIMESTAMP	When reminders were sent
`repeating`	BOOLEAN	Recurring event
`starts_at`	TIMESTAMP	Event start time
`virtual_location_url`	VARCHAR(2048)	Online meeting URL
`visitors_count`	INTEGER	Number of visitors
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_attendances

Records of who attended which events.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`attendance_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center attendance ID
`attended`	BOOLEAN	Whether person attended
`role`	VARCHAR(255)	Person’s role at event
`person_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Associated person ID (direct reference)
`event_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Associated event ID (direct reference)
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_rsvps

RSVP responses for group events, tracking whether people plan to attend.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`rsvp_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center RSVP ID
`response`	VARCHAR(255)	RSVP response: ‘yes’, ‘no’, or ‘maybe’
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

Note: RSVPs are linked to Events, Groups, and People through the groups_rsvp_relationships table. Use relationship joins to access the event, group, or person associated with each RSVP.

groups_group_types

Categories for organizing and configuring groups.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`group_type_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center group type ID
`church_center_visible`	BOOLEAN	Visible in Church Center
`church_center_map_visible`	BOOLEAN	Show on Church Center map
`color`	VARCHAR(32)	Display color
`default_group_settings`	JSONB	Default settings for groups of this type
`description`	TEXT	Type description
`name`	TEXT	Type name
`position`	INTEGER	Sort order
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_locations

Physical locations where groups meet.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`location_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center location ID
`display_preference`	VARCHAR(100)	How to display location
`full_formatted_address`	VARCHAR(500)	Complete address
`latitude`	DOUBLE PRECISION	GPS latitude
`longitude`	DOUBLE PRECISION	GPS longitude
`name`	VARCHAR(255)	Location name
`radius`	INTEGER	Coverage radius
`strategy`	VARCHAR(100)	Location strategy
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_enrollments

Group enrollment and registration management.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`enrollment_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center enrollment ID
`auto_closed`	BOOLEAN	Automatically closed
`auto_closed_reason`	TEXT	Why auto-closed
`date_limit`	TEXT	Enrollment deadline
`date_limit_reached`	BOOLEAN	Past deadline
`member_limit`	INTEGER	Maximum members allowed
`member_limit_reached`	BOOLEAN	At capacity
`status`	TEXT	Enrollment status
`strategy`	TEXT	Enrollment strategy
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_tags

Labels for categorizing and filtering groups.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`tag_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center tag ID
`name`	VARCHAR(255)	Tag name
`position`	INTEGER	Sort order
`tag_group_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Parent tag group (direct reference)
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_tag_groups

Groupings for organizing tags.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`tag_group_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center tag group ID
`display_publicly`	BOOLEAN	Show publicly
`facet`	VARCHAR(255)	Facet type
`multiple_options_enabled`	BOOLEAN	Allow multiple selections
`name`	VARCHAR(255)	Group name
`position`	INTEGER	Sort order
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_campuses

Campus locations for multi-site organizations.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`campus_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center campus ID
`name`	VARCHAR(255)	Campus name
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_group_applications

Applications to join groups requiring approval.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`group_application_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center application ID
`applied_at`	TIMESTAMP	When application was submitted
`message`	TEXT	Application message
`status`	VARCHAR(100)	Application status
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_event_notes

Notes and annotations for events.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`event_note_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center event note ID
`event_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Associated event ID (direct reference)
`body`	TEXT	Note content
`annotatable_id`	VARCHAR(64)	ID of annotated entity
`owner_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Note owner ID
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_organizations

Organization configuration and settings.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`organization_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center organization ID
`name`	VARCHAR(255)	Organization name
`time_zone`	VARCHAR(255)	Organization time zone
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_owners

Group ownership and management information.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`owner_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center owner ID
`avatar_url`	VARCHAR(2048)	Owner avatar image URL
`first_name`	VARCHAR(255)	Owner first name
`last_name`	VARCHAR(255)	Owner last name
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_resources

Resources associated with group types.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`resource_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Planning Center resource ID
`group_type_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Associated group type ID
`description`	VARCHAR(255)	Resource description
`last_updated`	TIMESTAMP	When resource was last updated
`name`	VARCHAR(255)	Resource name
`type`	VARCHAR(50)	Resource type
`visibility`	VARCHAR(50)	Resource visibility
`created_by_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Creator ID
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

groups_campus_groups

Links between campuses and groups.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`group_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Associated group ID (direct reference)
`campus_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Associated campus ID (direct reference)
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was created in Parable
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	When record was last updated in Parable

Relationship Tables

groups_group_relationships

Links groups to related entities like types, locations, and tags.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`group_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Group ID
`relationship_type`	VARCHAR(50)	Type of relationship
`relationship_id`	VARCHAR(64)	ID of related entity
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When created
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	Last update

Common relationship types:

GroupType - Links to groups_group_types
Location - Links to groups_locations
Tag - Links to groups_tags
Enrollment - Links to groups_enrollments
Campus - Links to groups_campuses

groups_membership_relationships

Links memberships to additional related entities.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`membership_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Membership ID
`relationship_type`	VARCHAR(50)	Type of relationship
`relationship_id`	VARCHAR(64)	ID of related entity
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When created
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	Last update

groups_event_relationships

Links events to groups and locations.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`event_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Event ID
`relationship_type`	VARCHAR(50)	Type of relationship
`relationship_id`	VARCHAR(64)	ID of related entity
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When created
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	Last update

Common relationship types:

Group - Links to groups_groups
Location - Links to groups_locations

groups_attendance_relationships

Links attendance records to events and people.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`attendance_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Attendance ID
`relationship_type`	VARCHAR(50)	Type of relationship
`relationship_id`	VARCHAR(64)	ID of related entity
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When created
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	Last update

Common relationship types:

Event - Links to groups_events
Person - Links to groups_people

groups_rsvp_relationships

Links RSVPs to their associated events, groups, and people.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`rsvp_id`	VARCHAR(64)	RSVP ID
`relationship_type`	VARCHAR(255)	Type of relationship
`relationship_id`	VARCHAR(64)	ID of related entity
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When created
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	Last update

Common relationship types:

Event - Links to groups_events
Group - Links to groups_groups
Person - Links to groups_people

groups_enrollment_relationships

Links enrollments to related entities.

Column	Type	Description
`id`	UUID	Internal unique identifier
`enrollment_id`	VARCHAR(64)	Enrollment ID
`relationship_type`	VARCHAR(50)	Type of relationship
`relationship_id`	VARCHAR(64)	ID of related entity
`tenant_organization_id`	INTEGER	Organization identifier
`system_status`	VARCHAR(50)	Data status
`system_created_at`	TIMESTAMP	When created
`system_updated_at`	TIMESTAMP	Last update

System Fields

All tables include these system fields for data management:

tenant_organization_id - Multi-tenant organization identifier
system_status - Data lifecycle status:
- transferring - Being imported from Planning Center
- active - Current active data
- stale - Marked for removal
system_created_at - When record was created in Parable
system_updated_at - When record was last updated in Parable

Common Query Patterns

Finding a Person’s Groups

SELECT
    g.name as group_name,
    g.description,
    m.role,
    m.joined_at
FROM planning_center.groups_memberships m
JOIN planning_center.groups_groups g
    ON m.group_id = g.group_id
WHERE m.person_id = 'PERSON_ID'
    AND g.archived_at IS NULL
ORDER BY m.joined_at DESC;

Getting Group Members with Roles

SELECT
    g.name as group_name,
    p.first_name,
    p.last_name,
    m.role,
    m.joined_at
FROM planning_center.groups_groups g
JOIN planning_center.groups_memberships m
    ON g.group_id = m.group_id
JOIN planning_center.groups_people p
    ON m.person_id = p.person_id
WHERE g.group_id = 'GROUP_ID'
ORDER BY m.role DESC, m.joined_at;

Finding Events for a Group

SELECT
    e.name as event_name,
    e.starts_at,
    e.ends_at,
    e.location_type_preference,
    e.canceled
FROM planning_center.groups_events e
JOIN planning_center.groups_event_relationships er
    ON e.event_id = er.event_id
    AND er.relationship_type = 'Group'
WHERE er.relationship_id = 'GROUP_ID'
    AND e.starts_at >= CURRENT_DATE
ORDER BY e.starts_at;

Tracking Event Attendance

SELECT
    e.name as event_name,
    e.starts_at,
    COUNT(CASE WHEN a.attended = true THEN 1 END) as attended_count,
    COUNT(DISTINCT ar.relationship_id) as total_invited
FROM planning_center.groups_events e
LEFT JOIN planning_center.groups_attendance_relationships ar
    ON e.event_id = ar.relationship_id
    AND ar.relationship_type = 'Event'
LEFT JOIN planning_center.groups_attendances a
    ON ar.attendance_id = a.attendance_id
GROUP BY e.event_id, e.name, e.starts_at
ORDER BY e.starts_at DESC;

Event RSVPs Summary

SELECT
    e.name as event_name,
    e.starts_at,
    COUNT(CASE WHEN r.response = 'yes' THEN 1 END) as yes_count,
    COUNT(CASE WHEN r.response = 'no' THEN 1 END) as no_count,
    COUNT(CASE WHEN r.response = 'maybe' THEN 1 END) as maybe_count,
    COUNT(*) as total_rsvps
FROM planning_center.groups_events e
JOIN planning_center.groups_rsvp_relationships er
    ON e.event_id = er.relationship_id
    AND er.relationship_type = 'Event'
JOIN planning_center.groups_rsvps r
    ON er.rsvp_id = r.rsvp_id
WHERE e.starts_at >= CURRENT_DATE
GROUP BY e.event_id, e.name, e.starts_at
ORDER BY e.starts_at;

Finding RSVPs for a Person

SELECT
    e.name as event_name,
    e.starts_at,
    g.name as group_name,
    r.response
FROM planning_center.groups_rsvps r
JOIN planning_center.groups_rsvp_relationships er
    ON r.rsvp_id = er.rsvp_id
    AND er.relationship_type = 'Event'
JOIN planning_center.groups_events e
    ON er.relationship_id = e.event_id
JOIN planning_center.groups_rsvp_relationships gr
    ON r.rsvp_id = gr.rsvp_id
    AND gr.relationship_type = 'Group'
JOIN planning_center.groups_groups g
    ON gr.relationship_id = g.group_id
JOIN planning_center.groups_rsvp_relationships pr
    ON r.rsvp_id = pr.rsvp_id
    AND pr.relationship_type = 'Person'
WHERE pr.relationship_id = 'PERSON_ID'
    AND e.starts_at >= CURRENT_DATE
ORDER BY e.starts_at;

Groups by Type

SELECT
    gt.name as group_type,
    COUNT(DISTINCT g.group_id) as group_count,
    SUM(g.memberships_count) as total_members
FROM planning_center.groups_group_types gt
LEFT JOIN planning_center.groups_group_relationships gr
    ON gt.group_type_id = gr.relationship_id
    AND gr.relationship_type = 'GroupType'
LEFT JOIN planning_center.groups_groups g
    ON gr.group_id = g.group_id
    AND g.archived_at IS NULL
GROUP BY gt.group_type_id, gt.name
ORDER BY gt.position;

Data Integrity Rules

Schema Qualification: Always use planning_center. prefix for all table references
Row Level Security: RLS automatically handles multi-tenancy and status filtering - do not add manual filters
Monetary Values: Group event fees or donations stored in cents should be divided by 100.0 for display
Archived Groups: Use archived_at IS NULL or archived_at comparisons to control visibility instead of checking system_status
Direct ID Columns: Core tables such as groups_groups and groups_memberships expose direct IDs for performance-sensitive joins

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Missing Schema Prefix
- ❌ FROM groups_groups
- ✅ FROM planning_center.groups_groups
Adding Redundant RLS Filters
- ❌ WHERE tenant_organization_id = 1 AND system_status = 'active'
- ✅ Trust RLS to handle this automatically
Joining Without Schema
- ❌ JOIN groups_memberships m ON ...
- ✅ JOIN planning_center.groups_memberships m ON ...
Skipping Currency Conversion
- ❌ SELECT suggested_donation_cents as suggested_donation
- ✅ SELECT suggested_donation_cents / 100.0 as suggested_donation

Performance Considerations

Indexes: All tables have optimized indexes on:
- Primary keys and entity IDs
- Join columns and foreign keys
- Date columns for time-based queries
Query Optimization:
- Always use the planning_center. schema prefix
- RLS handles tenant and status filtering automatically
- Filter archived groups or attendance flags when relevant
- Consider CTEs for complex multi-join queries
- Use direct ID columns when available instead of relationship tables

Data Types and Conventions

Location Preferences

physical - In-person meetings
virtual - Online meetings
hybrid - Both in-person and online

Roles

member - Regular group member
leader - Group leader with additional permissions

RSVP Responses

yes - Person plans to attend
no - Person will not attend
maybe - Person is undecided

Application Status

pending - Awaiting review
approved - Accepted into group
rejected - Not accepted

Next Steps

Return to Overview for high-level understanding
Review Basic Queries for simple examples
Check Advanced Queries for complex analysis
See Reporting Examples for production-ready reports

​Planning Center Groups Data Model

​Overview

​Visual Data Model

​Core Entity Relationships

​Key Relationships Explained

​Query Requirements

​Schema Prefix

​Row Level Security (RLS)

​Core Tables Overview

​Primary Entity Tables

​Supporting Entity Tables

​Relationship Tables

​Table Definitions

​groups_groups

​groups_people

​groups_memberships

​groups_events

​groups_attendances

​groups_rsvps

​groups_group_types

​groups_locations

​groups_enrollments

​groups_tags

​groups_tag_groups

​groups_campuses

​groups_group_applications

​groups_event_notes

​groups_organizations

​groups_owners

​groups_resources

​groups_campus_groups

​Relationship Tables

​groups_group_relationships

​groups_membership_relationships

​groups_event_relationships

​groups_attendance_relationships

​groups_rsvp_relationships

​groups_enrollment_relationships

​System Fields

​Common Query Patterns

​Finding a Person’s Groups

​Getting Group Members with Roles

​Finding Events for a Group

​Tracking Event Attendance

​Event RSVPs Summary

​Finding RSVPs for a Person

​Groups by Type

​Data Integrity Rules

​Common Mistakes to Avoid

​Performance Considerations

​Data Types and Conventions

​Location Preferences

​Roles

​RSVP Responses

​Application Status

​Next Steps

Planning Center Groups Data Model

Overview

Visual Data Model

Core Entity Relationships

Key Relationships Explained

Query Requirements

Schema Prefix

Row Level Security (RLS)

Core Tables Overview

Primary Entity Tables

Supporting Entity Tables

Relationship Tables

Table Definitions

groups_groups

groups_people

groups_memberships

groups_events

groups_attendances

groups_rsvps

groups_group_types

groups_locations

groups_enrollments

groups_tags

groups_tag_groups

groups_campuses

groups_group_applications

groups_event_notes

groups_organizations

groups_owners

groups_resources

groups_campus_groups

Relationship Tables

groups_group_relationships

groups_membership_relationships

groups_event_relationships

groups_attendance_relationships

groups_rsvp_relationships

groups_enrollment_relationships

System Fields

Common Query Patterns

Finding a Person’s Groups

Getting Group Members with Roles

Finding Events for a Group

Tracking Event Attendance

Event RSVPs Summary

Finding RSVPs for a Person

Groups by Type

Data Integrity Rules

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Performance Considerations

Data Types and Conventions

Location Preferences

Roles

RSVP Responses

Application Status

Next Steps