I attended a missions conference at a very large church in the Orlando area six years ago and was struck by a machine sitting in the lobby. At first, I thought it looked like an ATM. But it wasn’t. After a closer look, I discovered that this curious machine was a giving kiosk.
What are Giving Kiosks?
Giving kiosks are touch screen devices that allow people to make credit and debit card donations to their church. To use a giving kiosk, simply swipe your card and follow the instructions on the screen to complete your transaction.
The earliest ones – like the first one I saw – were big like ATMs. Today kiosks come in many shapes and sizes from flat panel computer screens sitting on a custom-made pedestals to iPads mounted onto stands.
Our church recently installed two giving kiosks – one in the atrium outside our worship center, the other at the opposite end of the building, in the lobby closest to the church offices. They’re flat panel displays mounted on a custom-made pedestal.
Giving kiosk use is on the rise – especially in larger churches like ours, but they’re not without controversy. Some people like them, and others don’t. Here are a few reasons why.
Why Some Don’t Like Church Giving Kiosks
1. Some churches don’t want to accept credit or debit cards because of the added cost and paperwork.
Accepting credit and debit cards is a big leap for some churches because of the added cost and paperwork. However, the reality is that credit and debit cards are here, and they’re here to stay. And many people prefer the convenience of using their cards instead of carrying cash or writing checks. In fact, I’m pretty sure that my children will rarely, if ever, write a check.
2. Accepting credit cards may encourage debt.
Yes, it is possible that credit card use may encourage someone to go into debt. However, in 14 years of ministry (including several years as a financial coach), I’ve yet to meet someone who got into debt trouble because of their charitable giving.
If churches are concerned about this, they should talk about it with their people from the pulpit and in written communication. And of course, many churches, like ours, regularly offer financial counseling to help people get out of debt and be a better steward of their finances.
3. Giving kiosks may commercialize the church.
Some churches just don’t want any kind of money to be transacted in the church building except for when the tithes and offerings are received. They feel that a giving kiosk would make it feel more like a bank and less like a house of worship and prayer.
Why Some Like Church Giving Kiosks
1. Convenience.
Fewer people carry cash and more prefer to use debit and/or credit cards for their financial transactions, including their giving. Everywhere I go, I use my debit card: at the doctor, stores, restaurants, gas station, etc. Why not the church?
2. More options.
People like having multiple, and easier, ways to give.
3. Kiosks increase overall giving.
Surveys of churches that have installed giving kiosks show that overall giving often increases within a few months of the kiosks being installed. They note that the kiosks provide a visual reminder to everyone – whether they use the kiosks or not – of the opportunity to give.
4. Kiosks increase the number of first-time givers.
Many churches report an uptick in first time new donors using the kiosks than they would have received before the kiosks. Kiosks provide an easy, non-threatening way for new people to make their first gift to the church.
5. Giving kiosks provide a secure way to give.
Kiosks are more secure to use for debit and credit card transactions because the donor doesn’t have to fill out a form with their card number on it, or give their card number to church staff over the phone.
Giving Kiosks: Passing Fad or Here to Stay?
I think giving kiosks are here to stay and that their use will continue to grow in the digital age and the increasingly cashless society we’re living in.
As the technology has advanced, giving kiosks are more simple and affordable than ever, allowing churches of just about any size to find an option that is right for them.
Are giving kiosks right for your church? Would you use a giving kiosk at your church? Why or why not?
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
i never have cash on me, so my church’s giving kiosk is so convenient. i only use my debit card so i know that the money is being taken directly out of the money i have earned that week from work. i think it’s a great idea and it has increased the amount of giving in our church.
I am a member of a large church that might be the type to embrace this technology. I wouldn’t use it, but I support it. For us online-giving provides a secure and convenient way to give. We have our own “account” where we can view our contributions, print receipts, etc. As I read the article I pictured a lineup of people waiting to access the kiosk … no thanks!
If our church had a machine I would give more. I use debit more than checks. I write a check for my church giving, and most time leave it at home. I don’t carry money and I don’t use credit. I use my debit same as cash.
Our church has several giving kiosks and also offers setting up online automatic payment plans on your credit cards (via their website). I currently have my tithe deducted from a credit card (that gives me points for my spending… we love to get chipolte gift cards with our cashback bonus’ from discover card!) and love not having to remember my checkbook when I go to church. The only thing that bothers me about these forms of giving is that my kids don’t see me give from week to week. I remember watching my parents put their weekly tithes in the plate as it was passed (often they would give me coins to throw in myself). I am a houseparent for six teenage foster girls and I often wonder if they aren’t missing out on seeing what my mom showed me – the blessing it is to give. I know that we aren’t to give so others can see us, but I wonder if the next generation of kids will ever even know that their parents are putting money in the virtual plate!
Very good point kids seeing you actually placing your giving in the plate. I have the same memory of my mom. Now that I’m a mom, I would continue that way.
For those who attend a church with the option of giving other than physically
placing your tithe in the plate, you can place a couple of bucks every now and then just as your (extra) offering…
Caree, my wife and I set up automatic giving to our church via our bank account several years ago, and were concerned, like you, about our kids not seeing us put our offering in the plate.
For a while, we would still drop our old tithing envelopes in the plate, but make a note on it that we were giving our tithe electronically. That way, our kids could see us putting something in the plate.
But after some time, we decided to not bother with that anymore, and all of our kids know that we give our tithe electronically twice a month (on paydays).
Incidentally, we sign up our kids for their own tithing envelopes when they starting earning an allowance from us (around age 3). It is such a blessing for my wife and me to see our five kids drop their envelopes in the plate.
But I suppose the day will come soon when we’ll start paying them their allowance via PayPal, and then I guess they’ll have to set up electronic giving too!
I feel sorry for you; you give to God with a credit card so you can get the financial perks. I’m crying!!!!!!!! But….. thank goodness God loves us even when we err in good judgement.
Kathy, I have several friends who do all their purchases and charitable giving with cash-back or reward-based credit cards (which they pay off every month). They see it as a matter of good stewardship to create this extra value. Why not?
Matthew 7:1 John 8:7
Julie, I was not judging anyone, I was merely giving my opinion. God knows what is in my heart, love, laughter AND opinions. When I step over the line He will bop me on the head and say ” No, Kathy!!” God loves you and your opinions too. I’m smiling, are you?
I pay my tithes usually when I pay bills, from my online bank bill pay. I feel funny when the collection plate is passed, so I usually put in a small check earmarked building fund or Sunday school. I have noticed that there very little checks in the offering plate anymore, so I imagine that most of the parishioners are paying that way too! We are a small church, so we still pass the plate, and no kiosks.
Rich, I think your idea of giving your children offering envelopes when they are little, is a great idea! Let them see you paying your bills, (which they should see anyway!), and explain to them that you are paying your tithes that way too.
I think we need to be careful where we put the kiosks so it doesn’t seem tacky. I would think a little side space, or room, easily accessible, would be best.
American Christians are possibly the laziest Christians in the world. They won’t either write a check or go by an ATM to get cash to give to the church. Do we really need to accommodate their laziness? American Christians need to get their priorities straight about what is important.
James, thanks for your comment. The times are changing fast and I think the checkbook’s days are numbered. With widespread use of debit and credit cards, and now the rapid expansion of mobile payments (using smart phones, iPods, and iPads), I’m pretty sure my children (ages 6-15) will rarely, if ever, need to write a check for anything in their lifetime.
Amen, Amen, Amen!!!!
My Amen!! should have been after James’ comment.
Rich,
Thanks for shedding light on this.
The main issue I see with giving Kiosks, is how visitors and guests will view the practice. People who are not of the Christian faith think the church is all about money–I can’t imagine what they’ll think with a “GIVE HERE” sign and giving kiosk.
Brent, thanks for your comment. I agree with you. And I hope no church puts up great big banners with arrows pointing to the kiosk.
Right now, many churches report that a good percentage of kiosk use has been by donors who gave for the first time – which presumably means they are fairly new to the church.
It’ll be interesting to see if those trends continue.
I’ve just begun researching giving kiosks for our church and came across this article. One thing that’s not mentioned is the cost to the church to take credit cards. Someone mentioned rewards cards – while it might be considered being a good steward of their personal financial situation, it is the “merchant” in this case, the church who pays the rewards in the form of higher fees for the rewards cards.
I personally struggle with the ethics of taking a tax deduction on the full amount when my church paid for the reward (points, cash back, etc.) I received when using my card. I didn’t realize this was how it worked until I started working with our financial team in looking at the various giving options and seeing how the bank and the processor breaks down those fees.
The other costs to the church are the costs of the hardware – either a purchase or monthly rental, as well as the monthly fees to use the service(s).
Hi Stephanie, thanks so much for reading, and for sharing your comment!
Yes, you are correct about the hardware and service charges. In my first point, I did mention that some churches don’t accept cards because of the costs, but I didn’t spell out the costs as you did – so thanks for doing that!
And you make a good point re: the increased costs for the merchant (in this case, the church) for accepting rewards cards. Every business or church that accepts cards will need to factor those fees in as a cost of doing business.
I think it is important for the church to compare their giving income “before” kiosks and “after” kiosks, to see if the kiosks prove to be worth the cost long-term.
I’d love to hear what your church decides to do. Perhaps you could give us an update here in the comments again. Thanks!
We have had online giving through our church website for quite some time and it has been very successful. However, in an effort to “reach people where they are” I have started looking at “kiosk giving” to better accomodate those who perhaps don’t want to go through all the steps in doing so online, or don’t carry a checkbook or cash. The “merchant” fees are something all companies face (including churches) and we consider it a cost of doing business. We are starting out with the “square reader” (www.squareup.com) as we can have a few key people in our church assist with this process using their own iPhone or iPads and therefore the church no incur costly setup fees (don’t worry, the individuals can not see any banking info for the church etc). We have only been doing it for a few weeks. We “advertised” it very casually and approached it from the standpoint of “convenience” as that’s exactly what it is. The fees using the square reader (have to download the app on the appropriate device) were cheaper than what the company we were using online and there is no per transaction fee. The great thing about square reader is that it is “mobile”. We are actually using it at a fall festival this week for our vendor booths for the crafts etc that are being sold! We are really excited about the ease of the square reader and the convenience it has provided to our congregation. They are just as excited to have a convenient way of giving. We aren’t twisting any arms to give, again just trying to meet people where they are!
Jennifer, thanks for sharing your comments and suggestion re: the Square reader. It is definitely an easy, low-cost way to get started with mobile or kiosk giving.
“Kiosk here to stay”… I think the next trend will be giving using one’s iPhone. Could possibly make kiosk giving obsolete.
Norman, you make a great point. Thanks for sharing your comment!
Our church offers giving via smart phone too. People can scan the QR code on the weekly church bulletin to get access to this week’s sermon notes on the smart phone. Along with the sermon notes, people can submit prayer requests electronically and make donations via their phone.
Hadn’t thought of using smart phones to submit prayer requests. Thanks a great idea.
How do you go about getting a QR code? Can you put the card in the offering basket that is passed around for people to scan?
Sherry, you can search online for “free QR code generator” and try out a couple of different options. The one I’m familiar with is: http://qrcode.kaywa.com/. I don’t know that I would recommend putting the QR code on a card in the offering basket or somewhere on the basket for a couple of reasons: 1. We want people to be in the habit of putting something in the basket, not taking it out.
2. Scanning the QR code can take longer than you’d expect it to, especially if your hand is shaky or if the lighting is low and the scanner can’t focus – so, it could slow up the offering process if several people took the time to scan the QR code at that time. We print the QR code on our bulletin, which each person receives as they walk in the door. That has worked really well for us.