> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://support.churchdesk.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Filters / Participant lists / Newsletters lists

**In ChurchDesk, you can use different types of lists to organise and communicate with your contacts effectively.**
In the **Contacts** module, you’ll find **lists** in the black sidebar on the left. Here you can see three types of lists: **Filters**, **Participant lists**, and **Newsletter lists**. Each list serves a different purpose and offers different options.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/b/e/3/7/be3725c5cc2ea800/bildschirmfoto-2025-10-20-um-1_q39hs1.png)

### Filters – dynamic lists for targeted selection
Filters help you automatically display specific groups from your address book.
A filter is **dynamic**, meaning new contacts that match the defined criteria will automatically appear in the filter.
**Example:**
You want to see everyone born in 1995 or everyone who has subscribed to the newsletter.
Create a filter and choose the appropriate conditions.
When creating a filter, you can:
* specify **which congregations** to include,
* combine **multiple criteria** (e.g., birth year, marital status, form responses),
* define **how the criteria are applied** (“is”, “is not”, “registered”, “not registered”).
Using a drop-down menu, you can also select specific values (e.g., “married”).
Default options are already set in ChurchDesk but can be expanded via [custom fields](https://support.churchdesk.com/en/article/create-custom-fields-twmpxb/).

You can read more about filters in this article: [Create, edit and delete a filter](https://support.churchdesk.com/en/article/create-edit-and-delete-a-filter-2s1a22/)

**Tip:** Filters can be **exported to Excel** at any time. The exported file is not dynamic and only reflects the data at the time of download.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/b/e/3/7/be3725c5cc2ea800/bildschirmfoto-2025-10-20-um-1_14mfa6w.png)](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/b/e/3/7/be3725c5cc2ea800/bildschirmfoto-2025-10-20-um-1_xgawhq.png)

### Participant lists – static lists for manual organisation
Participant lists are useful if you want to **manage fixed groups manually**, for example:
* everyone attending the next church retreat,
* everyone interested in the next Alpha course.
These lists are **not dynamic** – you add or remove contacts **manually**.
Alternatively, you can use **contacts from an existing filter**.
Participant lists can also be exported to Excel and used directly for communication, e.g.:
* newsletters,
* emails,
* SMS.
When creating a participant list, you can:
1. give it a **title**,
2. add contacts immediately or later,
3. define **which congregations have access** to this list.

### Newsletter lists – targeted distribution for communication
Newsletter lists allow you to organise different recipient groups for sending newsletters.
You can create lists for example for:
* general church information,
* parents,
* teenagers,
* new members.
Contacts can sign up for specific newsletter lists themselves and choose **which types of messages** they want to receive.
Only contacts who have given **consent** will receive emails.
(More info in the article on [Consent Management](https://support.churchdesk.com/en/article/create-and-manage-consent-vvu43b/).)
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/b/e/3/7/be3725c5cc2ea800/bildschirmfoto-2025-10-20-um-1_l1487i.png =310xauto)


|| Manually adding contacts to newsletter lists is possible but should only be done if valid consent exists.

### How to create a new list
1. Go to **Contacts > Lists**.
2. Click **Create** in the top right corner.
3. Choose whether you want to create a **Filter**, **Participant list**, or **Newsletter list**. **Alternatively**, you can create a new list directly from the contacts overview using the blue **New** button at the bottom left.
4. Fill in the required fields (name, criteria, congregations, etc.).
5. Save your new list.

### Editing lists
All list types can be edited afterwards.
* **Filters**: criteria, name, and settings can be changed.
* **Participant and newsletter lists**: contacts can be added or removed anytime under “More” for each list.
* Changes are applied immediately.

### Deleting lists
1. Go to **Contacts > Lists**.
2. Click **More > Delete** on the list you want to remove.
3. Confirm the warning prompt.
After deletion:
* the list is **permanently removed**,
* the **contacts themselves remain** in the system.
To delete lists, you need the special permission **“Delete keywords and lists”** – this allows removing lists across congregations without deleting the contacts themselves.

### Multi-congregation function
If you work with multiple congregations, lists can be **assigned to one or more congregations**.
In the list overview, you can see at a glance which congregations are linked to each list.

### Benefits of lists
* Targeted communication to specific groups,
* Creation of recipient lists for newsletters,
* Preparation for events or courses,
* Easy evaluation of contact groups,
* Organisation of teams or volunteers.


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