There are many ways for people to give financially to their church. Years ago, it was all about bringing cash and putting it in an offering plate during service or in a giving box on their way out. Some wrote checks. But nowadays, most people don’t carry cash in their pockets and checks are less popular with people than just five years ago! That’s also why some churches started implementing giving kiosks in their atrium to simplify giving for some folks.
The buzz way now is online giving. Either through your church app, website (if you have one), a third-party company and even text-to-give. Still, there are reasons churches decide or choose not to have online giving.
Church’s Objections to Online Giving
One of the most common reasons to say “no” to online giving is that it costs money. As a matter of fact, there are fees attached to having a third-party app or company help you out with your digital donation platform. Those fees will vary greatly. Some charge 3.5% on card transactions. Other will have a monthly use fee between $19 and $99 / month. This is a very valid point.
For others, an additional point of financial entry might overrun a tired volunteer fiscal team. Of course, this will become another line in your budget sheets, which means added work for sure.
It is believed by some that online giving is not always secure, that some data may be at risk. You’d rather be safe than sorry when it comes to sharing sensitive information for sure.
Many pastors and churches are just plain tired, if not exhausted, of pivoting, changing and adding services for their people. Promoting a new tool will require some time and energy and they’re not willing or capable of doing so right now. The process is then pushed further down the calendar of priorities.
Many non-Christians believe the church is only after your money anyway. Adding an online giving option and promoting it would only prove their point. In reaction to this, some pastors and church leaders have been intentional about not preaching or teaching much on generosity and financial giving.
For others, online giving is not a spiritual discipline because you set it up once and then you’re done! Plus, the passing of the plate, which is a meaningful spiritual tradition for many, slightly loses its importance.
The point is not to judge people and church’s decisions or motives for not offering online giving but gain a better understanding. There are staggering numbers you should consider before putting off the decision to begin online giving.
Some Numbers:
- Like mentioned, people don’t carry cash or checks anymore, or at least way less. That trend will generally affect negatively giving.
- Online shopping is up 44% since last year and more than 21% of retail sales happen online.
- Over 75% of Americans shop online at least once a month.
- Church donations are down, and smaller donations are going up. Said differently, people give less and perhaps even less often.
- It is a known fact that a vast majority of people don’t tithe 10%. Some studies say between 75 and 90%! But those that actually tithe tend to give a lot.
Why You Should Add Online Giving to Your Tithing Options
These numbers suggest that people are now used to giving their money online, shopping is a great example of this fact and that trend as gone up EVERY YEAR for a while now. These statistics are great reasons to begin an online giving service. Here’s more food for thought.
Online giving is now the number one way to give and tithe according to the National Association of Evangelicals . Since it is what it is, wouldn’t it be hard to take away the possibility of giving generously to your church members? Your community may be different than another one, yet numbers don’t lie here. The study was conducted across the USA. Bucket giving has consistently gone done for the last decade or so.
The simplicity of online giving makes it very attractive. All you need is a card, access to internet and 5 minutes of your time. Yes, that’s about all the time you need to set up your account and its giving parameters. This convenience is hard to go against! Simplify your giving options and help your people obey 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver.” (CEB)
Giving increases by 32% when you offer the online option. Giving increases? What?! Can your church really afford to say no to it? Allowing people the diverse opportunities to give is totally biblical. “But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.” (Isaiah 32:8 NLT). Generosity is not only money. It is also about the plans and strategies you create for people to be(come) generous! Plus, part of this increase could pay additional human resources for your accounting team.
Online givers tend to give regularly. They set up a calendar of giving. This stabilizes your church budget. Even if your church member doesn’t show up in your actual building over the weekend, he will still be giving to your ministry. This a great way to help your budget and your members. And if you think about it, they can also give whenever they want.
You have an end-of-year or special project giving opportunities that you promote on Sunday and via social media? Your motivated church givers can activate their faith and generosity right there and then with online giving.
In retrospect, online giving is a great tool for your people, church and community. The benefits probably outweigh the inconveniences. Knowing this, how do you make it happen? Here’s a 4-step plan to implement online giving options.
“How-to” 4 STEP Plan
- Seek out different companies
There are numerous companies out there offering slightly different services and prices. As you communicate with them, they will explain their ministry and optional programs. You can contact these well-known companies such as:
If you work with a database, it may even offer online giving options.
- Take account of your needs
You know when you go shopping that the salesperson is there to offer you everything they have. To a certain degree, it will be the same with the above companies. Explore the meanders to discover what you need and be ready to ask questions. Text-to give? Giving kiosks? Full app support? Assessing your needs will allow you to purchase within your means.
- Enable the chosen services
The beauty of this process is that your chosen provider will walk you through each step of the way. Some do business with thousands of churches, so they’ve seen it all. Their accompaniment will be a blessing to you, and they will make things work.
- Promote your new online giving
This may be the part where you may feel uncomfortable with promoting a way to give. It may mean you’ll want to plan a preaching series on giving, grade some valid points to advocate your generosity platform or shoot a few videos for your church to visualize your implemented system. There again, your chosen provider can help you with wording and argumentative.
Action steps are always the best way to get results. Pray, evaluate, start walking and let the giving begin!
