Frame is built on WordPress — one of the most popular content management systems in the world — but our version is intentionally curated. We want to explain why we've made certain choices regarding plugin and theme limitations, and how these decisions ultimately benefit your organization.

Why We Curate Plugins and Themes

We understand that many users have experience with tools like Elementor, custom plugins, or third-party themes. While these tools may work well on individual or self-hosted sites, Frame operates at scale, serving thousands of Adventist churches, schools, and ministries. That requires a different approach.

1. Security

Security is our top priority. Many WordPress plugins and themes — especially free or unvetted ones — can introduce vulnerabilities. It's reported that 93.25% of WordPress vulnerabilities originate from plugins. The remaining vulnerabilities come from themes (5.45%) and WordPress core files (1.29%). Security reports consistently show that 20 to 50 plugin and theme vulnerabilities surface every week. These reports confirm that WordPress itself is very secure, but plugins and themes one added may not be. When vulnerabilities are introduced on one site, they can pose risks to others on the platform. Our curated approach ensures only safe, actively maintained plugins and themes are used. Every plugin and theme that is installed on Frame is carefully reviewed and vetted to reduce the risk of introducing problems on your site, and ultimately the larger platform.

2. Performance

Each plugin or theme can introduce performance overhead: slow load times, larger page sizes, and inefficient code. A poorly optimized plugin can make even the best-designed site sluggish. By carefully selecting and testing the plugins on our platform, we ensure consistent, fasdt performance across all sites. This also allows us to offload and optimize media, reduce server strain, and provide a reliable experience for visitors.

3. Maintenance & Updates

Managing sites at scale means keeping everything up to date. With thousands of Frame sites, we can't rely on each individual user to update their plugins and themes manually. Our curated list allows us to apply centralized updates quickly and safely. It also means you benefit from licensed tools like Gravity Forms, The Events Calendar Pro, and more, without needing to manage the licenses yourself.

4. Support & Troubleshooting

By using a consistent set of tools and methods across the platform, our support team can respond faster and more effectively. If every site had different editors, themes, and plugins, troubleshooting would be significantly slower and more complex. Consistency allows us to provide high-quality support and focus on building features that benefit everyone.

5. Content Portability & Longevity

We intentionally use the native WordPress Gutenberg editor as the primary page builder. This ensures content is stored in a standard, portable way. Tools like Elementor or other visual editors often store content in proprietary formats or custom database tables, which makes migrating or reusing content difficult. Should you ever need to export your site or move it elsewhere, your content remains accessible and not locked into a paid plugin.

Why We Limit Theme Access

We currently offer a selection of themes, which are designed to be flexible, accessible, and optimized for both churches and schools. Here's why we don't support third-party or commercial themes:

1. Inconsistency Across Themes

Each WordPress theme is built differently. Some rely on unique plugins, custom content structures, or non-standard features. Allowing third-party themes would make it extremely difficult to provide consistent functionality and support across the platform.

2. Compatibility & Breakage Risks

Third-party themes often conflict with platform tools, create duplicate features, or break during WordPress core updates. If every site has a different theme, we can't ensure things will keep working after updates. By using a unified theme framework, we control updates and ensure your site always functions as expected.

3. Design Flexibility Within Limits

Our themes are highly customizable. If your ministry has specific branding needs, we could explore custom design services that build on our base theme framework. This gives you flexibility without compromising the integrity of the platform.

What You Can Do

Our intentions is not to lock you out of powerful tools — we're trying to ensure those tools are safe, supported, and sustainable. Here's how you can make the most of Frame:

1. Suggest a Plugin

If there's a plugin you want to use, let us know! Email us at support@adventistconnect.org with the plugin name, link, and how you would intend to use it. We can't promise the request will be approved, but we review all suggestions carefully. Your input helps us prioritize future improvements.

2. Use the Supported Plugins

We offer a set of high-quality, licensed plugins that support forms, events, images, performance, SEO, and more. Visit our Supported Plugins article to learn what's available.

3. Explore Advanced Customization

Need a unique design or advanced site structure? We can connect with your ministry to explore options and customizations that are built within our design framework to maintain long-term compatibility, performance, and support all the while bring specificity to your ministry. 

In Summary

Frame is designed to serve hundreds of Adventist churches, schools, and ministries reliably and safely. We've chosen a curated approach to WordPress to ensure:

• Security and protection across all sites

• Strong, consistent performance

• Easier support and faster updates

• Long-term flexibility and content ownership

We appreciate your desire to make your site the best it can be, and we're here to help you do that within a platform built for the mission. Thank you for being part of the Adventist Connect community.