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Should a Church .....

Discussion in 'Money Talk$' started by wpe3bql, Jun 3, 2015.

  1. wpe3bql

    wpe3bql Member

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    ..... offer its attendees to its services the option of using a credit card instead of just "passing the plate"?

    I've heard that there are some churches that offer this option.

    Your views?
     
  2. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I wonder if about 150 years ago if there was a debate about churches accepting checks?
     
  3. wpe3bql

    wpe3bql Member

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    Why don't you check into it?
     
  4. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I have tried to google - but have found nothing. yet.
     
  5. wpe3bql

    wpe3bql Member

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    Your checking was returned due to insufficient finds.
     
  6. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    I rarely have more than a few bucks in my wallet.
    I don't use checks.

    FOR ME: It is an easy way not to forget to give - it's taken out automatically each month. I can always give more.

    FOR THE CHURCH: It gives them an idea of what they will receive each month and helps them budget expenses.

    Rob
     
  7. wpe3bql

    wpe3bql Member

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    Words of wisdom from a resident of SE PA!!

    Seriously, I don't carry ANY currency any more.

    OTOH, there have been a few times where I've been approached by an individual asking for financial help who I've had to turn down.

    Since I'm not a charter member of Salty's "Let the Good Times Roll" group, I don't have that much to spend anyway.

    ...... And that big whopping check that B. O. promised me apparently still hasn't made its way to my QTH. :smilewinkgrin:
     
  8. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    I'm in favor of it. Why not make it easy for people to give? At my church you can text your offering, use a check, give online with a credit card, or put cash in the offering plate.
     
  9. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    but if you do away with the offering plate, how will those do-gooders be able to boast thier good will by putting in a un-folded $50 bill?
     
  10. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    We don't use "plates". Instead we use a "bag". It's a velour bag about 10" deep that is connected to a circular brass ring about 10" in diameter. No one can see what's in the bag unless they stop passing it and actually peer down into it. Pretty slick.
     
  11. wpe3bql

    wpe3bql Member

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    They could put one (or more) of those tacky tracts that have the appearance of currency on the outside, but on the inside you'll find a Gospel message......And many times your restaurant server will NOT find anything but that (i.e., no real $$). :BangHead:
     
  12. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    Some churches accept Paypal/other credit cards. Some will do autodraft if you sign up for it. It's a new world.
     
  13. cross89

    cross89 New Member

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    There shouldn't be someone holding a credit card reader at the end of a pew. It get that the church is hurting for money but that's just to crass. It would be better if the church just gets a paypal account on their webpage and wifi in the church. Then people can just hit an app, make a donation during the passing of the plate. Though that might be overkill since most people who got to church routinely usually make up the next Sunday if they forget. I once went into a church and they had two ATM in the entry way and turned right around because a church isn't suppose to be a bank or a business.
     
  14. Kevin

    Kevin Active Member

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    I have been in a Church that does not even pass the plate. They just have a place where you can put your donation. I have also seen many on the web that have a place for their members to pay their offerings with a Credit Card, or PayPal.

    Having the card reader out during the offering time just doesn't seem right to me, but maybe it is just me showing my age.
     
  15. Rob_BW

    Rob_BW Well-Known Member
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    I use a regular check for my offering, but hardly ever have cash in my wallet if something else comes up.

    We did attend a church that had paypal, and it sure made things a lot easier.
     
  16. Sue-Ellen

    Sue-Ellen Active Member

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    I think churches so all over choices that make it easier for people to give to their church, whether it be by paypal or credit card. It doesn't matter how the money is give as long as it is. They can still have the offering plate for those who want to contribute that way but there should also be other alternatives.
     
  17. StFrancis

    StFrancis Member

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    Cards are still inclusive in most church transactions, if we don't talk about church days. Donations are still acceptable through bank accounts which at least every church has. If am planning to travel on a church day (Sunday) and I donate on a Friday through my bank check, will that count?
     
  18. jeremy81

    jeremy81 New Member

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    credit card readers at the end of the pew? - I think this is something else. I get the point that at this day and age, people want convenience, but I think having this kind of set up is much of an overkill to me (but that's probably because i'm old age, haha!).
    I've tried donating to churches thru their websites, though - NOT at the church itself. I know credit card use is credit card use regardless. In my mind, however, to have credit card readers at the end of the pew or at the church itself somehow encourages 'debt accumulation' not so much the 'heartily giving of what you have'. Credit is using money you don't have (in a sense).
     
  19. Hark

    Hark Well-Known Member

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    I suppose this teaching from Jesus is hard to do nowadays, let alone preached from the pulpit.

    Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. KJV

    If a man purposed in his heart what he is to give, then it is nobody's business, but between the giver and God.

    Better for a church to rely on God to raise up cheerful givers than to seek pledges and tithings from her flock, because if the church cannot apply faith in God to provide, then where is that faith in God's Providence for each church member when they go home for their household?

    Is that not what James was talking about in the 2nd chapter where a church fails to lead by example of their faith in God's Providence to the poor?

    I wonder how many church members even consider how they do not have faith in God to provide because the church doesn't when they rely on tithings and pledges rather than on God unspeakable gift of raising up cheerful givers to provide just what the church needs for the ministry?

    But I guess a credit card donation seen by men will do. It is not a sin to give in that way. It's just that Jesus taught a better way to give. Not sure how any one can give the way Jesus taught to give any more.
     
  20. FriendofSpurgeon

    FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known Member
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    We set up a wire transfer from our bank instead of a credit card. That way, the church does not incur any transaction fees. And we don't have to worry if we left the checkbook at home or trying to catch up if we are out of town. I have a visited a Baptist church in the area where they have a credit card machine in the lobby. Personally, I thought this was a bit tacky.
     
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