rock-hosting

Guides planning, self-hosted, and Azure deployment of Rock RMS church management systems.

Updated Mar 18, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/pbassham/rockumentation-skill-builder --skill rock-hosting-pbassham
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: rock-hosting
Source: https://github.com/pbassham/rockumentation-skill-builder/tree/main/curated-bundles/rock-hosting
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/pbassham/rockumentation-skill-builder --skill rock-hosting-pbassham

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve? Churches adopting Rock RMS face complex decisions about hosting: choosing between on-premises Windows servers and Azure cloud, sizing infrastructure for their congregation, and correctly configuring IIS, SQL Server, and firewalls. This Skill consolidates the official Rock hosting manuals so an AI assistant can answer these questions with accurate, step-by-step guidance. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Implementation Planning: Covers Rock's funding model, release schedule, team building, and expectation setting for a church management system rollout. - Self-Hosted Deployment: Walks through Windows Server requirements, IIS configuration, SQL Server installation, firewall rules, and the Rock installer itself. - Azure Cloud Hosting: Explains Azure VM and SQL sizing tiers, the $2,000 nonprofit hosting credit, and resource provisioning steps. - Use Case: A church IT volunteer asks whether their single server can run Rock and take online donations; the Skill's references explain PCI compliance requires separate web and database servers, then provide the exact sizing specs for their attendance size. ## Quick Start Ask how to host Rock RMS for a church of a given size and whether to use Azure or an on-premises Windows server.

Frequently Asked Questions about rock-hosting

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I host Rock RMS on my own server?

Rock RMS requires a Windows Server environment with IIS and SQL Server. The setup involves installing the Web Server role with ASP.NET, configuring IIS application pools and bindings, installing SQL Server, opening firewall port 1433, and running the Rock web installer from the web root.

What server requirements does Rock RMS need?

Rock RMS requirements scale by records: small installs (1,000-5,000 records) need one server with a 2GHz dual-core CPU, 2GB RAM, and SQL Server Express; large installs (15,000+ records) need two servers with 2.5GHz quad-core CPUs, 16GB RAM, and SQL Server Standard.

Should I host Rock RMS on Azure or on-premises?

Azure hosting suits organizations wanting managed infrastructure and nonprofits eligible for Microsoft's $2,000 annual credit, while on-premises hosting offers more control but requires handling patching, backups, and security yourself. Rock recommends Azure SQL (PaaS) with a Windows VM web server for cloud setups.

Can Rock RMS run on a single server for online giving?

A single-server setup works for small churches but does not meet PCI compliance, which requires the database and web host in separate environments. If you process credit card payments through Rock, you need a two-server configuration or an external host.

How do nonprofits get free Azure hosting credits for Rock?

US-based 501(c)(3) organizations, including religious organizations, can register through Microsoft's nonprofit portal to receive an annual Azure hosting credit. The credit provides roughly $167 per month toward approved Azure services and is refreshed annually.