Over the last couple of years, advancements in technology have dramatically changed the way that all of us handle our finances and pay our bills. However, this does not apply to just phone bills, car payments, and online shopping. Technology has also changed the way people donate and tithe with their church.
Due to the convenience that comes with technological advances, it shouldn’t come as a surprise as to why so many churches today seem to be using online giving as their primary tool for accepting donations. Not only is it easier for the church to track and maintain their tithing records, it’s easier (and extremely safe) for their congregations to give back to the church as well!
However, this doesn’t mean there still aren’t questions regarding church online giving and how it works. In this post, we’ll look at the five most frequently asked questions churches have regarding online giving.
- Is it Safe?
Although online giving is becoming more and more popular in the church community, you’re still likely to get the question, “who is handling my banking information and why should I trust them?” For FellowshipOne Giving users, the good news is that FellowshipOne Giving users a Level 1 PCI Compliant Service Provider; meaning that FellowshipOne Giving conforms to the absolute highest set of security standards in the payment processing industry. As a FellowshipOne Giving customer, this means there are zero concerns regarding the security of you and your donors’ banking information.
- How much will it cost me?
There is a cost involved with every church online giving system. Those costs can vary from transaction fees to monthly fees. Every church is unique, so each will need to figure out what works best for them. With FellowshipOne Giving, you have online giving tools designed specifically for the church, and options to choose from, based on church size. Plans can start as little as $19/month, or you may find it beneficial to your church to investigate custom plans if you plan to process donations at a higher rate.
- Is it worth it?
By all accounts, yes, online giving will increase your overall donations. For example, how many people in your church might miss a Sunday morning and then give double the next time they attend? Some might, but few do. They have a heart to give, but after a week, they don’t think about giving extra. With online giving, you’ve provided a way for them to continue their regularly scheduled tithing whether they’re inside your church doors or streaming from home.
- Do I really need it?
In today’s world, even in more rural areas, cash is no longer king. Plastic rules the day and people are more likely to give if it is convenient. It’s not that they don’t want to give; they just don’t carry cash and checks as a common form of payment anymore. The question you need to ask is “who in your church is likely to give online”? If your church is mostly from the older generation, it may not fit your culture. But if your church has a strong portion of younger people, it is something you should consider. Either way, let’s face it, having multiple options for your members to tithe is always better than not having enough!
- How do I track my tithing?
Some services have excellent reporting options that can be exported into your financial software with the click of a button. Others, such as Paypal, do not. With FellowshipOne Giving, you have an entire reporting system to track giving from your members, better forecast giving trends throughout the year, and supply giving reports to your church admins and donors if they should request them.
Next Steps
Don’t have online giving yet? No problem! We offer a FREE FellowshipOne Giving Demo! If you have additional questions regarding FellowshipOne Giving, or want more information, contact a member of our team here. We’re always available to help!
