Here's a quick overview of the standard user roles available in WordPress, from highest to lowest permission levels:

  • Site Admin: The highest level with access to almost all site functions and settings.
  • Editor: Can manage all posts, pages, comments, categories, tags, and media files.
  • Author: Can write, upload media, edit, and publish their own posts.
  • Contributor: Can write and edit their own posts but cannot publish them or upload media.
  • Viewer: Can read and comment on content in private sites.
  • Subscriber: Has basic access to read and comment on published content.

Each role includes all the capabilities of the roles below it in the hierarchy, creating a progressive permission structure for your site.

 

Site Admin

The Site Admin role provides comprehensive access to manage and maintain your church or school website. Site Admins can:

  • Add, edit, and remove pages, posts, and media

  • Manage users, assign roles, and oversee user activity

  • Customize menus and organize site navigation

  • Adjust most site settings related to layout, appearance, and content

  • Control calendar events, forms, and other key tools

  • Oversee day-to-day site operations to keep everything running smoothly

This role empowers local teams to operate their sites independently, while core system-level settings and compliance tools are securely managed by the Adventist Connect Support Team.

Editor

An Editor can:

  • Create, edit, publish, and delete any posts or pages
  • Moderate comments
  • Manage the media library
  • Organize categories and tags

Author

An Author can:

  • Create, edit, publish, and delete their own posts
  • Upload media files for their content
  • Cannot modify pages or other users' content
  • Can manage comments on their own posts

Contributor

A Contributor can:

  • Create and edit their own posts (but not publish them)
  • Submit content for review by Site Admins or Editors
  • Cannot upload media files
  • Loses editing access once their content is published

Viewer

A Viewer can:

  • Access and read private sites
  • Leave comments if enabled
  • Has no content creation or editing abilities
  • Must be specifically invited to access private sites

Subscriber

A Subscriber can:

  • Receive site updates via email or Reader
  • Comment on posts if allowed
  • Has no editing privileges
  • Cannot access private sites without specific invitation

     

Managing Roles: 

To modify a user's role or information in WordPress:

  1. Navigate to Users in the left sidebar of your WordPress dashboard
  2. Locate the user you wish to modify in the list of users
  3. Hover your mouse over the user's name to reveal action links
  4. Click the Edit link that appears below their name
  5. On the Edit User screen, you can update the following information:
    • Email address
    • First and last name
    • Website URL
    • Password
    • Role - Select a different role from the dropdown menu to change their permissions
    • Biographical information
  6. After making your changes, scroll down and click the Update User button to save

Changing a user's role immediately affects what they can access and modify on your site. Consider informing users when changing their roles to help them understand their new permissions or limitations.