Complete Online Giving Platform
Not only because churches are non-profits that rely on the donations of their congregation, but because God calls His people to a life of generosity. They have the opportunity to partake in expanding God's Kingdom.
But just because people in church might know it's a good thing to give, they don't always do it. For some, they're concerned about how their money will be used. For others, they don't understand the blessings that come with generosity.
To ease the concern that comes with donations, spend time really searching what the Scriptures say about money, tithes and offerings, giving, and generosity. Then, share what you find with your church family. Don't forget to mention the various ways they can give because some people don't carry cash, or they may have forgotten their checkbook that Sunday.
That's where online giving for churches comes in.
Sixty percent of donors are willing to give to their church digitally. In fact, churches that accept online tithes and offerings can see a 32% percent increase in their overall donations.
In this article, we will expand on the idea of online giving, the different types of digital giving options, why churches should use online giving, and how to effectively utilize these platforms to grow your church and expand the Kingdom of God.
Online giving platforms help streamline the way churches collect and manage money. It is a type of church software that allows members to give their tithes online and contribute to specific giving campaigns electronically. It is a paperless transaction allowing contributions to be transferred directly from a donor's bank account or debit/credit cards directly to the church.
It's convenient for donors because there are multiple ways to give outside of dropping cash or check into an offering plate as it passes by. They can also give from anywhere at any time right from their fingertips.
Most often, an online giving platform will integrate smoothly into a church's general church management software (ChMS), making it even easier to track finances and view trends in giving.
Host a giving page directly on your website. Create custom payment forms within your church giving web page. These allow donors to easily input information, like their name, contact information, the amount of money they desire to donate, the frequency of their gift, and which ministry or campus they would like it to be designated.
Members can send donations, schedule recurring giving, or contribute to a giving campaign all through their smartphone via your church app. They can manage giving on the go and contribute during the offering moment at church, during the week, or in the middle of the night.
People always have their phone, so texting to give is a hassle-free way for church members to donate right from their fingertips. They simply text a specific word, like GIVE, to a designated number. Then they will be prompted to fill out a giving form to submit their payment in only a few seconds. Or you can even simplify the process even more once they're in the system.
Attendees have the ability to give in the moment with their debit/credit cards using a touch screen kiosk. They can be placed in the lobby, sanctuary, or even classrooms to make giving, registration, and child check-in a breeze.
In this digital age, few people have cash on them and even fewer write checks. In fact, in a recent study, fewer than 16% of people that were polled carried cash on their person.
Some still utilize the envelope and drop their tithe in the offering bucket, but churches are missing out on the vast majority of people who prefer to pay electronically if they aren't using online giving.
Giving online is convenient. Multiple ways to give helps members donate in the way they prefer, whether through your church website, by texting an amount, or submitting payments through a church app. And since these methods accept debit cards, credit cards, or bank transfers, the giver can choose how the money is transferred.
Members can also easily access giving statements online whenever they please, saving your church time and money by not having to print and send paper statements.
Using an online donation platform greatly improves organization and management when it comes to church finances. Administration is simpler because the entire giving process is automated. Members can even manage their own giving accounts, lessening the workload for church staff. Online viewing of personal contribution statements will also save money because you won't have to spend extra on printing and mailing costs.
Church Success: See how one church increased giving and overcame seasonal giving slumps with their online giving platform.
The majority of churches who have implemented online giving have seen an increase in overall donations. Because it's easy and convenient to use, more people are willing to give.
Setting up recurring giving (more about this below) also encourages consistent donations because it automates what people would give anyway but might forget otherwise.
As we mentioned before, having the ability to give whenever people feel led, regardless of where they are, can really benefit the church.
Even if somebody cannot attend on Sundays, they can still give from the comfort of their home, the marketplace, or wherever generosity strikes them. It encourages giving even if people miss church.
Having an online giving program that integrates well with other church software can save time and effort.
Streamline event registration. Export transaction data for use in your accounting software. Connect with and manage donors with integrated church management software.
Recurring giving options help to stabilize giving trends and reduce slumps in slower seasons. It's easy-to-use for donors and beneficial for the church.
It makes budgeting easier, too, because your team can have a better idea of what to expect throughout the year.
creased giving and overcame seasonal giving slumps with their online giving platform.
Encourage people to give to something specific through various fund categories. Specify ministries, goals, projects, campaigns, or campuses that you might be raising money for.
Often, people want to get behind a certain project or ministry that they're passionate about. This can inspire even more people to give.
Create valuable giving reports for church leadership and track data to help predict progression and fluctuations.
Graph monthly trends, recurring giving, and forecasting. Generate reports by person, date range, funds, or transactions.
In order to have your people on board with giving, whichever way they choose to do it, you'll want them to understand the heart behind why we give. Giving is biblical, so share with your congregation how being generous means we are being more like God. He calls us to have a heart of generosity. Let your congregation know how they can also have an eternal impact through their financial contributions. Below are some Bible verses to help share God's perspective:
What does the Bible say about giving? There are literally hundreds of verses that talk about money.
When people understand the why behind giving, and that it is more of a spiritual thing than a money thing, they'll be further committed to giving. As a church leader or pastor, you are probably very familiar with these verses. But maybe consider reteaching or expounding on these topics in your sermons, in emails, or devotionals.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given to You. 1 Chronicles 29:14
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops. Proverbs 3:9
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Malachi 3:10
In order for your congregation to know about giving, specifically that you have an online giving solution, they need to hear about it. Share from the platform about why we give and how to do it. Mention the options on your webpage or in email campaigns that you send. The more you talk about, the more people will know that they have the option to give online.
If you want your members to give consistently, encourage your staff and volunteers to lead by example. When they see all of the blessing that comes from being a blessing, others who aren't yet consistent with their giving will be inspired to join in. Maybe even have a pastor demonstrate the online giving process from the pulpit to show how easy it is.
Be sure that people are able to easily access your online giving platform. That's one benefit of having the church app and text features. Highlight your giving page on your website with tabs and buttons that are clearly defined. Include links from your church social media posts and email blasts that direct them to your giving forms. People shouldn't have to search high and low to figure out how to contribute.
Donors won't have to be reminded to give of their first fruits if they have recurring giving set up. Encourage your congregation to automate the important. This is one way your people can help the overall vision of the church, and they can give even when they aren't at the worship service.
One beneficial feature to online giving is having various funds for people to give to. With fund management, participants can choose which ministry, project, campus, or campaign they want to support. Have a dropdown list in your giving form to make it even easier. Don't forget to mention the various categories people can fund; often they will be more willing to donate to something they are more passionate about.
People are drawn to stories. They are moved by them. Share testimonies from people who have given financially and how it made an impact on their lives and those who it served. Tell stories about the community influence a certain giving campaign funded. Publish testimonies on your church blog or send updates in donor emails. When people hear these stories, they'll be inspired to give (or to give more consistently).
Another great feature of online giving for churches is the ability to track who has donated what. Then, you can send emails and letters to thank donors for their contributions and update them about how their gift is expanding God's Kingdom here on earth. Send customized thank you and receipt emails. This will help encourage more giving, thus furthering your church's mission and honoring God in the process.
Though giving can be a touchy subject in the church, God makes it clear that we are to give cheerfully and demonstrate a life of generosity. FellowshipOne Giving makes it easier to help your congregation walk in faith and obedience by offering a robust, integrated digital giving platform.
Members can give easily, from anywhere. Church staff will appreciate the donation management and reporting features, too. Sign up today to see how FellowshipOne Giving can help reduce administrative work, increase generosity, and promote your church's growth.
