Donations through websites

Our church recently decided to put a donation button on our website in case someone wants to donate to our ministry.

What do you all think? Is it ethical? I think it is OK, I just want to get your feelings.

 

Here is an article that got us thinking.

http://216.30.200.250/WV%20Baptist/My%20Webs/Current%20Issue/5.pdf

It is there because we have a lot of extended families that have moved away, and still support our church. This may make it easier for them.

I too agree that the church should be supported by the membership, but we would never turn anyone down if they want to give. I dont see it as a main avenue of funds, but it may help the members donate.

Read the article in the link... it explains a lot

 

The only way I knew how to do it was through PayPal... is there another way, that would be better?

 

For those of you that can't open the above link, here it is:

I want to share with​

you a recent e-mail I
received. “I hope the state
is working on a technology
to help churches take debit
cards and/or electronic
transfers for tithes. My
generation and below do not carry cash, but do carry plastic.
Credit would be wrong, but debit is ‘where it’s at.’ I am
certain it would help increase giving in churches that have
younger crowds. And it would increase efficiency if
automated.” (sic)
As you can probably tell from the writing style, this
e-mail is from a young adult who is active in church. This
person is making a case and an appeal for the church to look at
a new way to receive tithes and offerings.
150 years ago, America was an agricultural based
economy. The local pastor or circuit rider was given produce,
eggs, chickens, or grain as payment for services. As towns
were formed and gold became the standard currency, support
for ministry began to move from goods to bits of currency.
Two bits -- four bits -- six bits -- a dollar. As towns became
cities and agriculture gave way to manufacturing and
production, people began to work for “cash money.” Churches
began to see dollars instead of gold pieces in the offering
plates.
Then, our economy grew and we began to use checks.
Somewhere in our church history, we had to decide how we
were going to handle those signed pieces of paper the people
wanted to place in the offering plates instead of cash. The use
of checks grew to the point that for most churches, less than
10% of their giving is cash.
As our economy has moved from a cash based
economy to an electronic based one, the church is once again
faced with the challenge to change. As I watch the younger
generation in the restaurants and stores, I do not see them
using dollars or checks. They use their plastic -- it is their
currency of choice. They have spoken loudly in society -- the
businesses that accept this method of payment get their
business. In the past two years, every fast food place I know
has installed swipe machines and accepts plastic.​

Why would McDonalds

© go to all of the trouble and​

expense of adding these machines at every counter? Because​

if they do not, they will lose the entire young adult and youth

market to someone who will take their currency.

Those under the age of 30 rarely carry cash or write
checks. They use their debit/check cards everywhere they
need money and pay all of their bills online. If we really want
to facilitate giving among this generation, we need to look at
ways to accept gifts in their currency.
I often hear in the churches, “The younger generation
does not give.” Could it be that we have not been willing to
find ways to accept their currency?
If you would like to discuss practical ways your
church can accommodate this new currency, I would love to
visit with you to share my experiences and thoughts. We have
seen great results from our online registrations and donations.
Supporting the mission,​

​

The West Virginia Baptist/July-August 5​

​

 

thanks for the info. I knew they were not a bank..and we are watching it closely

 

One of these days tater, just one of these days...
Pow, right to the moon...:smilewinkgrin: