Churches have new opportunities to fund more ministry than ever before. Advancing technology opens doors to greater engagement and new streams of revenue. There’s just one catch—you have to be ready for it.
When the world continues to change faster than ever before, how can your church be set up for financial success? Here are three things church leaders need to know about digital giving.
- Giving Is Evolving.
The way people handle and spend money is changing. Years ago, your church probably adopted digital giving because people were no longer carrying cash or checks. Instead, they lived with a debit card in their hand.
Today, people are less likely to even carry a physical card. Digital wallets, like ApplePay and Google Wallet, have paved the way for widespread adoption of contactless payments. As millennials gradually become the largest giving demographic in your church, these will be the ways they do it.
But the evolution of currency isn’t stopping there. Although taking a fall in late 2022, cryptocurrency is believed by many to be positioned for a comeback this year. Unbeknownst to many church leaders, there are big tax benefits for donating crypto.
The next generation of givers are going to donate using the next generation of currency. Be ready for it.
- Giving Needs to Be Diverse.
People tend to do what is easiest and most convenient for them, and today we have a lot of choices. You can go to the grocery store or have your groceries delivered. You can pay cash for your cup of coffee or tap your phone. In the age of everything being easy for me, giving can’t be the exception. People are more likely to give when they can do it in the way that’s comfortable for them. That means your church needs to make giving diverse.
Your church likely has an age gap of 50 or 60 years between your youngest and oldest regular givers. What is easy for one age group will be different for the next. Some will use their computer to tithe, others will give in your app. Some will donate by text, others at a giving kiosk, and still others will write a check. Diverse digital giving opens the door to easy giving for everyone.
- Costs Aren’t Always Clear.
When it comes to digital giving, you need to know what you are really paying for when you use a service. Unfortunately, hidden costs and long-term contracts are often the name of the game. Words like “free” in a sales pitch can actually end up costing your church more.
Just because a product is built specifically for churches doesn’t mean the company is looking out for the church’s interests. Know what you’re paying and ensure your church isn’t losing money it could use to fund ministry.
Technology can feel like a moving target, and digital giving is no exception. Staying on top of the tech trends in giving will help your church to be in the best position to receive tithes.
Greg Manz is vice president of marketing for SecureGive.
