At lunch yesterday I saw this: Now even God takes credit cards! The article lists a number of new (or relatively new) places that have come to accept plastic for payment, and number 2 on the list was churches. Some churches now have debit- and credit-card kiosks for charging a donation. (Closely related to this is number 7: Salvation Army kettles.)
This could end up being a giant can of worms, but I'm young enough that it makes sense to at least think it through a little bit, since I may be placed in a position later where I'll have the option of doing this.
Organizations (commercial or otherwise) accept credit cards because they anticipate getting more money by accepting payment through them. This is for a number of reasons. First, it may make the difference between a sale or not. If the would-be customer doesn't have any cash, but has a credit card, they can still complete the transaction. Secondly, there's enough emotional distance for many people between credit and actual cash, so average purchase amounts tend to be higher.
What about for churches? Presumably a church would accept credit cards (or perhaps just debit cards) in order to bring in more donations or larger donations from the congregation (or perhaps one-time visitors).
But should they? That's a very complicated question! Here are a few thoughts:
- It could tempt congregants to shortchange God. Let's say God laid it on someone's heart that they were to give $100 per week for tithes and offerings. Each week they write a check for $100 and put it in the offering plate. Now add credit cards to the mix. Let's say it's a rebate card. The congregant now charges $100 per week, and gets a kickback of $1 in rebates from the credit card company. That part may be fine, but the church had to pay more than that — let's say $2 — to process that $100 charge! As a result, the church only saw $98 of what was a $100 offering before the credit cards came around, and the congregant might be tempted into thinking that they gave $100 for the price of $99.
- It could tempt congregants to live beyond their means. Checks bounce if the funds aren't there. One could say that debit cards are the same way. Charges to credit cards don't bounce, unless the charger is really close to his limit. I could see some faithful givers run on hard times and, fully wanting to put God first, charge a tithe because the option was there, even if it meant that they'd pay interest on that offering. Screening possible “problem” charger-tithers and not allowing them to use the card is against the merchant account rules, so it can't be done while maintaining the account.
- It could make the church an indirect accessory to usury. The church isn't charging the interest, of course, but if a donation comes in, the cardholder pays interest on that donation, and something happens that causes the cardholder's rate to go to the default rate (or even before that), this could be usury.
- It could rob regular givers of the joy of giving. If credit cards come online, then recurring credit card payments follow soon after. The action of putting a check in the offering plate each week is an act of worship, which is something that is lost with a recurring charge to the credit card.
Credit card payments for tithes are already here. This post wasn't about whether you can tithe on your credit card, but whether you should. I think credit card donations in church will become more widespread, but I don't like where it can lead.
Is there a flip side to all of this? I see the bad, but what about the good?
I do everything with my debit card, except tithe and pay rent. If church and landord both took debit, I woudn’t have to buy checks – ever. That’s one upside, among many downsides.
I work with more than 800 mainline protestant churches in Ohio. I say the credit card issue reflects larger issues in the church: The world is not the same that it was in the 50’s. Churches that do not recognize this will die.
This is seen in changes in music styles, less formal relationships with clergy, more short-term committee assignments and the way organizations of church women operate.
If we are to be relevant in our world and reach out to people, we have to be willing to do so on their terms and this includes finances. By allowing our “customers” to pay their pledges the same way they pay many other expenses, we are saying to them that we recognize we’re not in the 50’s anymore.
What is the good of churches allowing nontraditional giving methods?
1. Fewer people carry cash or check books with them at all times.
2. Regular on-line transfers help even out giving over the year. We know that if you don’t plop it in the pew you won’t put it in the plate, so giving traditionally dips in the summer time, during bad weather and on holiday weekends.
3. Electronic transfer allows greater privacy in giving. If I write a check and put it in the plate, volunteer counters and others may see what I give. But a concise electronic statement would only be seen by the Financial Secretary who would actually record my pledge.
4. Cash and checks have to be handled. They have to be counted, counted again, prepared for deposit and driven to the bank. In an era where volunteer time is harder to come by, let’s let our volunteers focus on doing the work of the kingdom and not tie them up counting money.
5. Cash is also a safety liability. Although this is quite rare, a pile of cash can be misapproriated, and with no cash register receipt to balance against, such a theft would go unnoticed.
I believe there are many positives to churches accepting credit cards, electronic funds transfers and other “modern” ways of conducting business.
Brian, very good points.
So good, in fact, I’d like to respond to them in another post. I’ll get it ready for next Sunday.
In discussing churches and credit cards I think it is helpful to point out that many churches are doing financial mangement workshops with their members. Good Sense ministries, Crown Financial Ministries and Financial Peace University are all very popular programs that provide a Biblical basis for a comprehensive plan for better financial management.
I’d love to be able to do this with my church! Would make it much easier for me not to forget – and track 🙂
Contrary to what you have written, I’ve been told by some charitable organizations that it is cheaper for them to process credit card transactions, rather than a check.
Not only do they get a discounted credit card rate, but they pay extra fees for checks.
I’d love to pay tithing using my credit card because I use a rewards (airline mileage )card and pay it off every month. Being able to pay tithing using that card would ensure that I would almost never pay for a plane ticket again.
I would not go into debt to give to God. No where in the scripture does it say take on debt to help fund Gods kingdom.