> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.koinia.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.koinia.app/user-guide-english/miembros/miembros-vs-accesos.md).

# Members vs. access: the key difference

Understand the difference between being in the directory and being able to sign in.

This is the most important concept for running your church well in Koinia.

## A member cannot always sign in

* **Member** — a person registered in your church directory (name, phone, birthday, etc.). A member can exist **without** an account to sign in with.
* **System access** — the ability to sign in with an email and password, together with a **role** that defines what they can see and do.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Adding a member** and **granting them access** are two separate actions. You can have hundreds of members in the directory and give access only to your leadership team.
{% endhint %}

## When to use each

| Situation                          | What to do                                                             |
| ---------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Register someone in the directory  | [Add a member](/user-guide-english/miembros/anadir-miembro.md)         |
| Let a leader or treasurer sign in  | [Grant system access](/user-guide-english/miembros/otorgar-acceso.md)  |
| Load many members at once          | [Import members](/user-guide-english/miembros/importar-miembros.md)    |
| Someone self-registered via the QR | [Pending accounts](/user-guide-english/miembros/cuentas-pendientes.md) |

## Why it matters

* Koinia **plans** limit how many people can have access with an assigned role (Pastor, Administrator, Treasurer, Leader) — not how many members you have in the directory.
* One account (email) can belong to **several churches**.

## Related

* [Add a member](/user-guide-english/miembros/anadir-miembro.md)
* [Roles & permissions](/user-guide-english/roles-permisos.md)


---

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