The Giving Kiosk
- Posted on August 02, 2007
- Viewed 789 times
- (25) comments
So… what do you think?
We did a post on this a while back, but some churches are starting to use on-site 'giving kiosks'. I also have heard people say that the only check they write any more is to the local church. I've seen these units and they are very visually appealing; and they seem to be working according to this report. Would your church ever consider using a giving kiosk? Watch this report, and then give your input.
Comments
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Paul J. on Thu, August 02, 2007
Wow. Pretty cool.
I could see the possibility of using one. We’re pretty low-key on offerings anyway…we don’t take up an offering during a service. We just have boxes on the wall and people know where to put it. So this would probably go right along with our vibe…
Camey on Thu, August 02, 2007
Could definitely see the possibility of using one myself… There are others in our church though who will always want an “offering plate” to put their money in.
This is cool though.
Josh Young on Thu, August 02, 2007
I think it’s a great idea if it would fit well in your church. I especially like the fact that you can set them up to only accept debit cards, and not credit cards, if you want to. Honestly, I don’t think it would be a bad idea if they were all set up that way.
Ricky on Fri, August 03, 2007
Paul J. said:
“We just have boxes on the wall and people know where to put it.”
This is disgusting because it will make people who may want a bit of anonymity and who may usually and quickly pass by the boxes to drop in their dues, to now stand and wait for the process to finish and for everyone to view how “giving” a person is.
This ATM (i.e., Automatic Tithe Machine) is nothing more than another worldly idea embraced by the so-called “church.”
Peter Hamm on Fri, August 03, 2007
Ricky,
Passing a basket seems like a pretty “worldly” idea to me, too (and our “so called churches” are real churches you know). You bring up a valid point about the machines, but I don’ t know that anyone knows what you give when you walk up anyway.
Camey on Fri, August 03, 2007
Our offering is taken up by plates going down each row at the very end of each service. It could be said that the same individuals who take it up each week knows who gives and who doesn’t.
I would find it interesting to know if others see the following as pluses or minuses:
1) The money is automatically put into the church’s account. No more waiting until all the check amounts are counted, recorded, deposited, and clear the bank.
2) Less need for individuals to be involved in the money counting. Therefore, not handling the money directly.
3) Those who no longer use checks and/or cash might be more inclined to give.
Any takers on answering plus or minus?
Josh Young on Fri, August 03, 2007
Ricky: It doesn’t seem to me that anyone would know what you give at the kiosk any more than they would know what you give when you drop it in a box or pass the plate. It’s not like it’s on a movie screen on the wall or something. Do people know everything that you do at a conventional ATM? Not likely. I don’t see how it’s any different than this. And I’m not sure how using something like this is any more “worldly” than us using audio/video equipment, computers, websites, or even musical instruments.
“You don’t plow corn with a mule anymore.”
DanielR (a different Daniel) on Fri, August 03, 2007
Ricky, are you having a bad day? “disgusting”? “so called church”? Relax, go for a walk, take a pill or something. I don’t know what church you’re used to but I guarantee you that our church does not charge “dues”. We encourage giving, but we don’t have dues.
I don’t foresee churches replacing other methods for giving with these machines, just adding the machines so people can use them if they prefer to. I’m sure the box will still be there for you man. And anyone who wants anonymity should try giving online, no one ever has to know you’re giving at all.
Leonard on Fri, August 03, 2007
Can you get cash out and if so, is it only in 20.00’s?
Actually this is probably a bit before its time in the church so that means it is about 8 years too late. I would give one a whirl and see if it made a difference. I would not want one unless it was helpful in teaching and facilitating giving for people who do not give.
DanielR (a different Daniel) on Fri, August 03, 2007
Camey, I would see all three as pluses. These are also some of the reasons I like online giving.
I remember growing up, when the plate was passed you wanted to put something in so people wouldn’t think you weren’t giving but you can’t make that assumption any more. I think that’s a good thing.
The negatives would be perception; “Forgot your checkbook, no cash on you, no problem. We now have another way to get your money, er, I mean for you to give.”
And I think the machine should definitely be limited to debit cards, credit card debt is such a problem for so many these days I wouldn’t feel good letting people give to the church by adding to their debt balance.
And, Leonard, I was under the impression these were for electronic fund transfer only and would not dispense cash. I could be wrong. I don’t think I’d want something with that much cash inside in the church, too tempting for thieves.
Leonard on Fri, August 03, 2007
Daniel, I just don’t know how to make one of those smiley faces to punctuate my bad humor.
Shane Montgomery on Sun, August 05, 2007
I would not be opposed to this if the church is committed to EQUIPPING its people with a proven, compelling vision for finances under God’s Lordship. The danger is that to place this machine in the lobby it could create an environment where local Pastors relinquish their God given responsibility to disciple their congregation about the act of worship through giving.
Ricky on Tue, August 07, 2007
DanielR said:
“I don’t know what church you’re used to but I guarantee you that our church does not charge ‘dues.’. We encourage giving, but we don’t have dues.”
Riiiight.
If so, then ask the pastor if you can oversee a certain “ministry” within your organization and see what he says.
He’ll check to make sure you’ve been giving, attending all of the appropriate classes and that you jump through the remaining hoops before entrusting you with any type of leadership role.
He’ll call it being “faithful.”
The Western “church” most certainly charges dues, although most of the sheeple don’t or won’t acknowledge that fact.
Shane Montgomery on Tue, August 07, 2007
Ricky said, “If so, then ask the pastor if you can oversee a certain “ministry” within your organization and see what he says.”
As a Pastor I can definitely say that I have no access to and have never made decisions on who leads ministry areas based on giving.
This thread or post is really not about the viability of using technology to make it easier for members to give. It is not a discussion about motives and mistakes some Pastor’s make concerning people who support their local churches.
Ricky, please don’t make general statements about all of us.
Peter Hamm on Tue, August 07, 2007
Ricky,
Shame on you for making such a gross and false accusation. I have not served in one of these churches where the pastor looks up what you’ve been giving. In the church I served in now (and as far as I know all the churches I’ve attended in the past couple decades) the pastor has no access to giving records whatsoever.
Now… If someone volunteers to lead a ministry and is clearly unequipped in character or competence, then we might have a discussion with that person to really find out what’s up. I’d hate for a really grumpy person to lead our Welcome Team, for instance, or someone who is cruel to children lead our Nursery, for instance. Or someone who can’t sing lead Worship. But giving records? Sorry… We have five pastors on staff. None of us has access to that. Only our bookkeeper does, and she ain’t talkin’.
Ricky, I think you’ve been burned by at least one really greedy and really unbiblical (and possibly really abusive) church. While I’m sincerely sorry for that and hope that you have a positive experience sometime soon (as many of us have had and are having) when you lash out at all churches, you really don’t make a lot of sense. It is perceived as rude and insulting, two things that I think you’d agree are not the mark of a Christian.
And I’m pretty sure that your bitterness is really hurting nobody but Ricky.
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