Tech Bulletin Channel

v18.0

Google Heatmap Shortcode Deprecated

Note v18.0

The Google Heatmap Lava shortcode, {[ googleheatmap ]}, has been deprecated in preparation for the removal of the Heatmap Layer feature in the Google Maps JavaScript API. This API is scheduled to be fully retired by Google in May 2026. Support for the shortcode will be removed in a future version of Rock. Please plan to transition away from this shortcode.

Bing Location Services Removal

Note v18.0

As of Rock v18, Bing Maps will no longer be available as an option for Location Services. Microsoft ended support for Bing Maps effective June 30th, prompting Rock to automatically migrate all instances to Smarty Streets. No action is required from your side. If your Rock instance is already using Smarty Streets, you can safely ignore this bulletin. If you haven't yet verified your transition...

Change to Completion Workflow for an LMS Activity

Alert v18.0

We updated the data passed to the workflow when an LMS Activity is completed. Now, the LearningClassActivityCompletion is passed as the Entity, making it easier to access completion-related properties when using the Attribute Set from Entity workflow action. Examples Property/ItemLava Activity Points Earned{{ Entity.PointsEarned }} Activity's Name{{ Entity.Learning...

CSS Variable Updates in Rock v18

Note v18.0

With the introduction of v2 theme styles in Rock v18, several legacy CSS variables will be retired. These variables will still be available for themes using the v1 LESS file, but they won't be supported in themes built on the new v2 styling. Most churches won’t notice any changes, but this could impact plugin blocks, or custom HTML/CSS still using the old variables and running in the new v2 Roc...

Changes to Rock's SMS Opt-In/Opt-Out Handling

Note v18.0

Rock v18 introduces new settings allowing you to take finer-grained control over how to handle Opt-In/Opt-Out messages (e.g. STOP, START) sent to each SMS-Enabled System Phone Number. To learn more about why these settings were introduced and how they compliment Twilio's handling of such messages, continue reading: 10DLC System Phone Numbers Twilio always handles Opt-in/out behavior for ...

Removal of Obsoleted "Kiosk" Blocks and Preview Site

Alert v18.0

As part of our continued effort to streamline Rock and ensure compliance with current standards, Rock v18.0 will remove several outdated blocks originally introduced in Rock v4 along with the Self-Service Kiosk (Preview) site. These blocks were marked obsolete in v15 and are now being removed: Give (Transaction Entry - Kiosk) - Finance/TransactionEntry.Kiosk.ascx Prayer Requests (P...

Removed Deprecated GroupLocationHistoricalSchedule Model and Table

Note v18.0

As part of our ongoing effort to streamline Rock and reduce unnecessary database bloat, the GroupLocationHistoricalSchedule model and its corresponding database table have been permanently removed in v18.0. This model was officially deprecated in v16.0.3, and all related code has now been fully removed from Rock. With no remaining dependencies, we’ve taken the final step of removing the table ...

Form Builder Communication Dropdown Now Filters by 'Form Builder' Category

Note v18.0

The Form Builder now only shows System Communications that are tagged with the new “Form Builder” category. After upgrading, be sure to edit your existing form-related System Communications and assign them to the “Form Builder” category. Otherwise, they won’t appear in the communication dropdown when configuring forms. This change helps ensure form communications stay organized and relevant.

Form List 'Link To Form' Now Filters by Shareable Pages

Note v18.0

The Form List block “Link to Form” feature has been updated to only show pages where the Workflow Entry block has the new setting “Enable for Form Sharing” set to Yes. After upgrading, be sure to edit your Workflow Entry blocks and enable this setting on any pages you want to appear in the list. No action = no link visibility.

v17.2

Updated Group Schedule Confirmation Process

Note v17.2

To resolve Issue #6172 – Group Schedule Confirmation Records Response Prematurely, Rock v17.2 introduces a new Scheduling Confirmation Email (One Button) template designed to prevent premature responses caused by certain email security tools that automatically open links. All Group Type's Schedule Confirmation Communication settings will be updated to use this new template by defaul...

More Fiscal Analytic Source Date Improvements

Note v17.2

In Rock v17.2, we’ve made additional improvements to how fiscal dates are calculated—building on the initial changes introduced in v17.0 (see Improved Fiscal Week Calculation) . These updates help Rock better align with standard accounting practices, especially around fiscal weeks and related reporting fields. Previously, Rock’s fiscal week calculation could result in shorten...

v17.1

Changes to External Authentication in Rock Mobile

Alert v17.1

Rock Core v17.1 includes updates to how Rock handles external authentication for Microsoft Entra and Auth0 in mobile applications. Rock now uses server-side token validation to streamline and standardize identity handling. This is a breaking change that will eventually require Rock Mobile shell v7 or later. To help with transitions from previous versions of the mobile shell, a new ...

New Kiosk Device options for enabling Kiosk Registration Mode in Next-Gen Check-In

Alert v17.1

If you are using Next-Gen Check-in and have any of your kiosks configured for registration mode you will need to edit those kiosks and enable the two new settings: "Allow Adding Families" and "Allow Editing Families". These two settings control the ability to add new families on a kiosk and to edit existing families on a kiosk. This means you can configure some kiosks that are more public to o...

Removing the "Unknown" Marital Status

Note v17.1

In Rock v3, the "Unknown" Marital Status was removed. However, we’ve found that some Rock environments still have a new “Unknown” value—likely created manually or during a system migration. To prevent confusion, we recommend that Rock Administrators remove any remaining “Unknown” Marital Status values. While we considered removing it automatically in a future update, doing so without permissio...

Login History is Moving to the HistoryLogin Table

Note v17.1

As part of the v17.1 release, we’re introducing a new feature: the Login History block. This new block, powered by a dedicated HistoryLogin model and database table, offers a clearer and more accurate view of actual login events. During development, we initially planned to migrate all existing login-related entries (where [Verb] = 'LOGIN') from the longstanding [History] table to the new ...

v17.0

IP Address Geocoding

Note v17.0

If you previously set up IP Address Geocoding using Ipregistry in an earlier version of Rock, you can now cancel that service. Starting with v17, Rock no longer relies on Ipregistry for IP address geocoding. Thanks to the GeoLite2 Data component created by MaxMind (https://www.maxmind.com), geocoding IP addresses is now handled internally and automatically, so no additional configuration is ne...

Obsidian Chopped and Swapped Blocks

Note v17.0

We've started the extensive process of replacing Rock's WebForms blocks with our new Obsidian block framework. As of v17, the following blocks have either been chopped or swapped (🔄). Here's what that means: Chopped Blocks "chop" - The old block type and all instances are completely removed and replaced with the Obsidian version. Administration: Administration/Sy...

Improved Fiscal Week Calculation

Note v17.0

We've updated how Fiscal Weeks are determined to better align with standard accounting practices. Previously, Rock's fiscal week calculation could create shortened weeks when the calendar year transitioned, which was not the intended behavior. Now, the first fiscal week of the year is defined as the first week that contains at least four days, based on the configured first day of the week. Thi...

Admin Tools Page Changes

Alert v17.0

Admin Tools Just Got an Upgrade We’ve reorganized and streamlined several sections under Admin Tools to make your workflow smoother and more intuitive. As part of this update, the original items under the Rock Settings section have been moved under a new Settings page, and several key "Digital Tools" have been elevated from under CMS Configuration to the top-level menu: The original CM...

Event Registration Template Security Inheritance

Alert v17.0

Starting in v17.0, the Registration Template now inherits security permissions from its Category. Previously, a Registration Instance determined EDIT access by first checking the Registration Template's EDIT permissions. If none were found, it would default to the Rock.Model.RegistrationTemplate entity type's permissions. Since modifying security on Rock.Model...

AI Automations Can Automatically Categorize Prayer Requests

Note v17.0

When using the Auto Categorize feature from Prayer AI Automation, it's important to check the Prayer Request Entry block's default settings. Unless you changed it, the Default Category setting is originally set to General. To allow AI to categorize prayer requests, update the Default Category to a parent category that has Auto Categoriz...

Lava and Entity Security Improvements

Note v17.0

As part of the development of NextGen Rock, including the v2 API, we've improved where each Entity Type inherits its security, and in some cases, we're shifting away from the global default of "Allow All Users" to more restrictive defaults. Check out this blog post for more details. ℹ️ As part of that change, group-level attribute security is now more accurately enforced by the Lava At...

v16.7

Account Entry Block Honors 'Disable Duplicate Checking'

Note v16.7

The Account Entry Block now respects the 'Disable Duplicate Checking' setting under Security Settings. This setting controls whether Rock attempts to match a new account with an existing person record based on the information provided when entering a new account. If 'Disable Duplicate Checking' is enabled for a person's Protection Profile Level, Rock will allow a new account to be created,...

v16.6

The PledgeDetail and JobDetail blocks Use 'entity type' Security

Note v16.6

The PledgeDetail and JobDetail blocks have been set to use 'entity type' security instead of the 'block-level security'. This means if you had previously set up edit special permissions in the block's security button, the block will not honor them.

Legacy Blocks Replaced with Obsidian Blocks

Note v16.6

The following WebForm (legacy) blocks are replaced with an Obsidian block. The webform block is no longer available. Bus/QueueDetail CMS/PersonalLinkSectionDetail CMS/PageRouteDetail CMS/PageRouteList Finance/PledgeDetail

v16.3

Regenerate Dimensions After Rock Update

Alert v16.3

If you use Rock's BI Tools and have a Fiscal Start Month other than January, you'll want to Regenerate Dimensions after applying this Rock update. A Business Intelligence "Week Of Year" issue was discovered and fixed, where the stored week numbers might have been previously calculated incorrectly for Rock instances that don't follow a standard calendar year.

Rock Tech Bulletin

v18.0

v17.2

v17.1

v17.0

v16.7

v16.6

v16.3

Note