At Churchplanting.com, we know that churches come in all sizes and “flavors.” Knowing the average church size in America is 75 or less, I want to start sharing resources that will help this size church.
Having a church of fewer than 100 means, you have to monitor the budget a little closer. It means having to work on a shoestring. Do you want to make improvements in a specific ministry area? Creativity is your best solution.
Some things, however, don’t have to be created or original.
There are resources out there that serve the churches of any size. This is especially true when it comes to giving. I would have called this the new F word (for finances) but feared some readers might be offended. 🙂
Finances and giving have been a much-debated area within the local church. Some pass the plate, and this works. Praise God! Other churches have “Giving Boxes” located within the church building. If this works, another yes and amen!
Some churches give a mini-sermon on giving each week. Some churches never mention it other than on powerpoint slide and a quick statement at the end of the service. Context and effectiveness are always vital.
Online giving is the norm now and will continue to grow over the years to come. You can setup a PayPal button or use a service like Tithely https://get.tithe.ly/
This service provides everything you need to make it easier to give. Here are a few ways they can make online giving work for all churches but especially helpful for the average size church, under 100.
- Mobile giving w/ iOS / Android app
- Online giving and mobile kiosks
- Cash/check gift entry and recording
- Event registration and management
- Debit, Credit & ACH/Bank payments
How much does an online giving platform cost the church?
The Tithe.ly transaction fees are as follows:
- Credit / debit card transactions: 2.9% + 0.30 per transaction.
Example: $100 donation –> $96.80 deposited. - ACH / Bank account transactions: 1% + 0.30 per transaction.
Example: $100 donation –> $98.70 deposited.
If this seems like a lot of money, consider the fact that we live in a cashless society where cash and checkbooks are rarely seen. Imagine the ease of use for a family to text in their tithe or visit the website on their cell phone and give with a push of a button.
Please know – this is not the only company that provides this type of service. They are, however, one of just a few that don’t charge a monthly fee for the online giving platform.
I have seen our church’s online giving go from a single family to over 60% of the church now donating online. Like it or not, I believe this is not only the future, but it’s also the present day.
We are better together so please share your thoughts. What online giving platform do you use?
