ATMs Go to Church! It's a Whole New Ballgame … or Is It?

Pastor Marty Baker, from the Stevens Creek Community Church in Augusta, GA, has developed an ATM for church giving. That's right, the Automatic Teller Machine has been morphed into an Automatic Tithing Machine.

"Giving Kiosks," as their creator prefers to call them, are already in place in six churches in Georgia, Ohio, Louisiana, Florida, and South Carolina, and will be in place soon in others.

How does it work?
You step up to the "Giving Kiosk" in the church lobby, which has a touch-screen and a virtual keyboard. Swipe your card and then using a simple menu, you can decide if you want:

• To receive a tax receipt
• To keep your donation anonymous
• To donate to: tithe, general offering, building fund or missions
• To set up a reoccurring donation (e.g., every Sunday, the first of the month)
• To receive a printed receipt, perhaps to put in the collection plate

Questions? I know I’ve got a few!
Of course, there are many questions that can be asked about these kiosks. Are they simply a convenience in these cashless times, when so many people prefer to pay with plastic? Or are they another temptation -- another way for people to get deeper in debt? (The kiosks can be programmed to accept only debit cards, but not all of them are.)

Are the "Giving Kiosks" too commercial and too worldly for religious institutions? (You can take a look at them here.) Or is the new technology simply an option many folks will appreciate?

Is it more important to keep up the traditions, such as passing the plate? Is it better to let ... or even encourage ... congregants take advantage of new opportunities this change presents? For example, donors who play their cards right can get bonus miles or cash back on their offerings.

Is this a good way to keep a religious institution on the cutting edge, in touch with today's culture? Or do these ATMs cross the line between faith and finance? Since people can already have church donations automatically withdrawn from their bank accounts, is there enough of a benefit to this new form of "e-tithing" to have everyone see the kiosks on their way to worship? Is it important … enough … to have a kiosk right there in church, for those who are moved to donate right then?

Is it "ok" for the pastor to be making money off church donations?
In addition to putting kiosks in his own church, Pastor Baker has gone into the business of supplying kiosks for churches. His SecureGive sets them up with a merchant account, a secure server, a host (lol!), and a card payment processing system.

The initial outlay for a kiosk is between $2,000 and $5,000, and then there are other fees as well. According to Richard Fausset, author of the excellent LA Times article, "At Church, an 'ATM for Jesus,'" there's a monthly fee of up to $49.95 for licensing and support. "And a card-processing company gets 1.9% of each transaction; a small cut of that fee goes to SecureGive."

It's Not a Test
Think about how you've answered these questions. Now consider this: Would you feel differently if you knew the kiosk would up donations to your house of worship?

Please let us know what you think about ATMs in church.

Comments

[Emma]

Hmm...where shall I start? This is an interesting topic. Being a "religious" person myself (geez, I really don't like that term, but most people would consider me one), this idea of ATMs at church will surely be controversial.

"Are they simply a convenience in these cashless times, when so many people prefer to pay with plastic? Or are they another temptation -- another way for people to get deeper in debt?"
Well, if they take debit cards, I don't really have an issue with that part. But, when it comes to credit cards, whoah buddy, do I have a problem with that! Nowhere in scripture did God use debt to build His kingdom. Church is not an exception.

"Are the “Giving Kiosks” too commercial and too worldly for religious institutions? Or is the new technology simply an option many folks will appreciate?"
I'm not sure that I would agree with the "wordly" term here. I mean, a worship service that uses "worldy" instruments like electric guitar would then be an issue. So, I don't have an issue with that.

"Is this a good way to keep a religious institution on the cutting edge, in touch with today’s culture? Or do these ATMs cross the line between faith and finance?"
Hmm, I have to be clear on this one. I think a church exists to help people come to know God. I go to a church that is at the leading edge of what's called a revolution within the church environment. It's not traditional by any means.

Does it cross the line between faith and finances? Well, simply, no. As a person of faith, my finances, or how I handle my finances are a reflection of that faith. Where and how I spend my money represent what is important in my life. If God is at the center, then my finances will reflect that. And vice versa.

"is there enough of a benefit to this new form of “e-tithing” to have everyone see the kiosks on their way to worship? Is it important … enough … to have a kiosk right there in church, for those who are moved to donate right then?"
I can see how they would be convenient for those without Internet access. But, we believe that tithing and giving is a private matter, between one and God, therefore, we tithe online.

It can get dangerous when it becomes that convenient though. People will be moved or guilted into giving more than they are capable, and that is something I have an issue with.

"Is it “ok” for the pastor to be making money off church donations?"
In all honesty, the donations are his income. So, in that regard yes. There is nowhere in scripture that says a pastor shouldn't make money. Remember, Baker is not Catholic. There is no vow of poverty in the Protestant church.

"Would you feel differently if you knew the kiosk would up donations to your house of worship?"
I haven't reached a decision yet as to whether it's right or wrong for these machines to be in the church setting. Still, I don't think I'd want one in my church today. I'll have to chew on this a bit.

[tithe and offering dude]

I wrote something similarly to this in my own blog. It's interesting topic. i have nothing against it. I think it could be in violation of deciding what you give before you come to church, but it might not. Obviously, the kiosks are not worldly. i think its very creative and useful

[Alaezi E.k.]

If people can pay for their luxuries at their convinience they should do make givings to God at even more convienience.That it'l increase debts? No,Givers are no debtors,they might start that way but the'll never end that way.It's kind of an unnatural explanation.My church already has some it.The idea though controversial will surely sell.

[Travis Gates]

Hey Church Media Group just launched a new line of giving kiosks that have been sweeping the faith based ministries! Self service is a way of life and it helps ministries by giving their people options outside of passing the plate.

Check out: http://www.ministrygive.com