Tithing at ATM kiosks offer nebulous rewards |
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As with an ATM, the machine produces a receipt slip for the donor. Actually, says Baker, a kiosk contributor gets three separate gift confirmations. In addition to the receipt at the time of the transaction, an e-mail is sent to the giver, thanking him or her for the gift and noting the specific amount donated.
Finally, the information is passed along to church management, says Baker, which then sends out a third official church receipt.
All this paperwork might seem a bit excessive, but
in light of newly enacted tax laws, it could come in handy. Previously,
the IRS required receipts when gifts exceeded $250. Beginning next
year, if a donor is questioned by a tax examiner, he or she must
produce a receipt for any gift, regardless of its size.
The kiosks also can be programmed for special church projects. Following Hurricane Katrina, Stevens Creek members could target their donations to a fund designated specifically to aid storm survivors. Another church is tracking kiosk gifts delegated to the church's Central American missionary to measure how electronic donations compare to money collected in more traditional ways.
Credit and debit
Although Oates uses her debit card, she and other Stevens Creek members could opt to charge their donations.
That doesn't sit well with some churches.
"A kiosk doesn't go in every congregation,"
says Baker. "Some will think this is like the money changers
(in the temple). But we see it as a way for our church members to
give in a very private way, as a part of their expression of worship."
Other congregations have a problem with credit card gifts.
"For some, credit card charging is a cringe factor,"
says Baker. "They have a problem with debt and (the credit
option) goes against their core values." In those cases, SecureGive
offers a unit that accepts debit cards only.
As for Stevens Creek, Baker says the church doesn't
encourage contributions that put members in personal debt. "We
view (the kiosk) as a way to make giving convenient."
That perspective is shared by ministers and members of Family Church in West Monroe, La. A kiosk has been in that church's foyer for about four months, and Baker says it has had the strongest start of any church that's adopted the system so far.
Still, the numbers are relatively small. Terry L. Taylor, executive pastor at Family Church, says the latest count is around 30 members giving by kiosk. However, that represents a steady growth curve, from 10 the first month, to 15 the next, 25 in the third month and now 30. Average church attendance is around 750.
"Our church has always been open to forward kind
of things," says Taylor. Church leadership approved the system
at the first meeting it was discussed, and Taylor says so far no
member has complained about the kiosk.
As for the amount of money given by Family Church members, Taylor says it's not a huge percentage.
"I would be shocked to see if it's 10 percent," says Taylor, referring to the amount of overall church contributions made at the kiosk. "We've learned to go into things slowly, so we haven't put a big push. But those who use it are enthusiastic."
Taylor says most of the people who give by kiosk were
already giving to Family Church the old-fashioned way. The first
to adopt the system, which accepts credit or debit cards, were members
with reward program cards.
"They're very conscious of travel miles. They're glad to have another way to contribute and increase their card's bonus rewards. They now get eternal rewards and credit card rewards, too," says Taylor, only partially joking.
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