I was recently asked by a member of our congregation via Facebook to comment on an article at ChristianityToday.com regarding automated giving in Church. The article entitled E-giving: Bring the Convenience of Electronic Payments to Church Tithes and Donationsthought this was a good idea principally because "many of your members have been eagerly waiting for the convenience of tithing or donating electronically" already and "giving a tithe or donation using online services is even easier than buying a value-meal."
The bottom line however is the bottom line as "the convenience of electronic giving could lead to increased giving and reduced costs associated with handling cash" and with the set up of automated electronic giving "donations continue to be made even if the congregant is not able to attend."
Here's how I replied:
Dear ......,
Our church board considered this a couple years ago. While I don't recall how the interaction went it's obvious we chose not to proceed with online giving at that time.
Just a couple personal thoughts: I think maintaining the action of giving in-church is an important aspect of the process. Though the article mentioned this was still possible by printing out a record of one's online gift to put in the plate, yet it was heavy on the practical and pragmatic benefits of online giving - increased ease for the giver and cash flow for the church.
Yet, there seems to be more to the in-service act of giving than just raising cash. In the midst of worship, sanctified by prayer, publicly and accompanied by music I bring an offering directly to the Lord. My sons witness this and it becomes a lesson for them. We see each other doing the same and we're mutually encouraged.
Doing this in the midst of the service is a reminder that God is a Great King and is worthy of these gifts. It's a reminder that He is Lord, not just of the spiritual world but also of the world of business, commerce, and bank accounts. It is a reminder that our sustenance comes from Him and not our cash flow.
Now, if all this can still be part of our experience by putting in a receipt of one's online giving - well, fine...
On the other hand, the article went on to advocate automatic withdrawal of funds. I would not favor this as it completely panders to the ease and comfort of the giver in this act while totally cutting him off from the experience of giving.
Call me a puritan but I think a love of ease and comfort is one of the besetting sins of American Christians and the less we do to reinforce this the better.
Worship in the Bible often involved sweat, inconvenience, work, deprivation of food and sleep, and the shedding of blood (sometimes the worshiper's own). Think of the three annual pilgrim feasts in the old testament (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles; Exo. 23) where every Israelite man was to appear in Jerusalem. This was no easy task for many and the man's ease and comfort in the process was not a concern. On the contrary, the greater the hardship in keeping the feasts very well may have made it a more pleasing offering in God's sight.
Grace to you,
Pastor Bob
