It’s no secret that online giving is taking churches by storm. More and more churches are using it, making administrators and donors everywhere happy with its convenience and flexibility. It’s a new (and quickly growing) trend, and it’s not going away. Like many up-and-coming things, there are a lot of questions about online giving.
So today, we collected the top 5 most common questions we receive from our ministry partners and brainstormed our answers.
5 Frequently Asked Questions about Online Giving
1. What if it feels awkward not putting anything in the offering basket at church?
We’re going to have some crossover between traditional and new ways to support our church family. It can feel awkward to pass the offering plate and not put anything in it.
We’re here to say it's quite alright to pass the basket along, because you know you've already done your part by giving online. Stay focused on your contributions to the church and use the time to reflect on why you give––not who’s watching the collection as it goes around the auditorium.
Here’s another alternative: If some of your members still feel like they need to put something in the basket when it comes their turn, ask the pastor if your church can offer an alternative "I gave online" slip. This is very handy for donors who have already given online. All they need to do is pick up a slip at the door before the church service begins and place it in the plate when it comes their way during the time of giving.
Instead of an online giving slip, your church can also offer information or “Connect” cards for members to fill out. Not only does this give members something to put in the offering plate, it offers a great chance for them to update their contact information. This can also be used as a new visitor card or a prayer request card. There is more than money that can support a church.
2. What if I enjoy the symbolism of writing a check?
Writing a check has been the standard for a long time when it comes to tithes and offering. Many people simply like the feeling that the ritual of writing a check gives them. What we need to keep in mind is that it's not about how our donation is given, it's simply the act of giving that counts. If online giving doesn't make you feel like you're doing your part, there are several alternative ways to get that tangible feeling of living out your faith. Even though you no longer write a check on Sunday mornings, you can do other tasks such as:
- Help out with community projects that your donation is going toward
- Replace the time it takes to write a check to say a prayer or check out your church’s blog to see what your church is doing with the money right now
- Volunteer to be an usher or one who passes the offering plate around
- Offer to help out in the nursery or another area so that you're not in your usual spot during the collection time
As the weeks go by and you're no longer writing a check but you're giving online instead, you will begin to realize how you can connect with your faith in newer, different ways. You will also begin to appreciate the many benefits online giving provides. For instance, you can set up recurring payments to occur on Sundays. Then as a way to feel more connected to your donation, you can receive an e-mail notification which helps replace the need to see your contribution on your bank statement.
3. What if I don’t like going forward to swipe my card at the church kiosk?
Many churches have the option of having their church members line up to swipe their credit and debit cards at a kiosk during the service. While this may feel perfectly normal to some, it can make others uncomfortable––especially if you feel like people can see you typing your donation amount onto the screen.
If you would rather not use this method to give, you can use the online giving portal on your church’s website or text giving to donate instead. This is another great reason to consider setting up a recurring gift online.
4. Is online giving secure?
Many churchgoers are still leery of tithes and offering online because they don't feel completely in control of their money. They often wonder what happens after they push the final “submit” button and are left to wonder who has access to their personal information. Members need to be assured that your online giving platform is PCI compliant.
In case you're wondering, PCI stands for Payment Card Industry and involves a robust set of requirements to ensure all organizations that process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment.
5. Is it easy to change my payment schedule?
If you're a first-time giver and you’re not ready to turn on a recurring donation, it's very simple. If you choose a one-time gift, you don't even have to log in to do it. Online giving provides a great way to manage your finances, and your account can show you and allow you to print your history and control your billing address and other information.
And when you’re ready to set up your online giving account, you‘ll have your own portal where you'll find all your options to keep track of all activity, including making changes to payment occurrences.
