Building a Digital Giving Culture: Tips for Church Leaders
We live in the Venmo era where generosity happens with a tap. Discover how church leaders can build a thriving digital giving culture that makes generosity simple, joyful, and mission-focused.
The way people handle money has changed. We live in the Venmo era. Far fewer people are carrying cash or writing checks. Most transactions are done with debit cards, online payments, and mobile apps.
This shift has also reshaped generosity habits. In fact, nearly half of all church donations now happen electronically. Churches that actively promote digital giving see as much as a 32% increase in overall giving.
Living in the Venmo era presents both challenges and opportunities for church leaders. You can’t create a strong digital giving culture just by providing sleek technology. You also need to cultivate a mindset where generosity flows easily, consistently, and joyfully.
In this article, we will explore how church leaders can cultivate a digital giving culture within their church.
Why Digital Giving Matters for Today’s Church
We’ve already touched on this, but it’s worth further discussion. We have reached a point where electronic giving has surpassed traditional methods. 49% of churchgoers give electronically compared to 40% via cash.
Recurring donations, which are often enabled best through digital platforms like Tithely, now account for 37% of all donations and 31% of total giving volume.
If your church isn’t utilizing digital giving, you’re seriously missing out. You’re not tapping into a vast source of funds that could drive missions, outreach, and growth.
It’s as if you’re still listening to music on CDs rather than using Apple Music or Spotify (I realize this comparison doesn’t work for purists who insist on buying physical media).
Start with Vision, Not Just Technology
Digital giving tools like Tithely have many fantastic features. However, here’s the thing: building a digital giving culture begins with a clear vision, not with tech features. Generosity is a spiritual discipline, not a transaction. You won't have much success with digital tools if generosity is not woven into your church’s DNA.
Before adopting digital giving tools, it’s essential to position giving (via sermons, announcements, etc.) as an act of worship that aligns with your church’s mission.
Give a sermon on verses like Psalm 112:5: “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”
Have small groups study verses like Acts 20:35, where Paul says: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
When giving is framed this way, the method becomes secondary to the heart posture behind it.
Make Digital Giving Easy and Accessible
Complexity makes generosity much harder. Digital giving must be seamless. Offer multiple options, such as:
- Web giving: 80% of donors use online forms.
- Mobile apps: about 20% give via an app.
- Cards (debit/credit): used in 80% of all donations.
- ACH/bank transfers: around 16%.
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay): approximately 4%.
By offering multiple touchpoints, like text-to-give, kiosks, or embedded QR codes, you minimize friction and encourage quick, heartfelt responses. People can give spontaneously rather than having to wait for a Sunday service.
For example, you may have a missionary talk about their work in a Wednesday night event. Ultimately, the missionary appeals to the audience to help further support their efforts.
With a platform like Tithely, people can give in the moment, when they feel inspired by God to be generous. If they had to wait for Sunday to give, they may not be as inclined to give.
Digital giving also allows those who can’t attend to give to the church. For example, a homebound person may be listening to your church’s sermon podcast and feel the impulse to give. Or someone might be traveling for work, yet still wants to continue faithfully giving to your church.
Online giving tools make it possible for both people to give generously to your church.
Teach, Model, and Normalize Digital Giving
When people are taught how to give and see it in action, it makes it much easier for your church members to embrace digital giving. Doing live demos, tutorial videos, and step-by-step guides can lower the learning curve.
Church leaders should model the behavior, both giving digitally and explaining how it helps them be faithful in their generosity. Consistently mention digital giving during announcements and on slides. Doing this will make it feel like a regular part of church membership.
Encourage Recurring Giving
Recurring giving benefits both the church and the giver. A steady source of funds allows your church to budget effectively for the future. And by adopting recurring giving, church members can make generosity almost automatic.
Whenever possible, highlight the blessings that accompany steady generosity. Remind your members of verses like 2 Corinthians 9:6, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
Also, celebrate milestones like “We have 50 families now giving monthly!” In the celebration, you can explain how recurring giving powers the church’s mission.
Communicate Impact Clearly
People give when they understand the impact. Share stories, updates, and testimonies on your website, social media, emails, and during services. When members see their gifts in action, they connect generosity to transformation. This reinforces their desire to contribute over time.
Whenever you can, connect members’ giving to real-life impact. For example, you could highlight how giving allows the youth group to serve in the community. Or talk about how your church is able to support a church plant through the faithful giving of members.
Leveraging Digital Giving for Engagement
Digital giving can become a powerful tool for building stronger connections with your congregation.
Instant Gratitude and Follow-Up
One of the most significant advantages of digital giving is that you can thank donors immediately. You can set up automatic confirmation emails or text messages that express gratitude within seconds of a gift being made.
This reassures donors that their contribution has been processed and helps them feel valued.
You can take it a step further by including a brief note of encouragement or a verse about generosity in the confirmation message.
Storytelling Through Technology
Digital giving platforms make it easy to weave storytelling throughout the giving journey. For example, a thank-you email can link to a video update from missionaries or a recent outreach project.
Social media posts can celebrate milestones in real time (“We just reached 75% of our goal to fund the youth mission trip!”). These touchpoints help members connect the dots between their gifts and real-world impact.
Data-Driven Ministry Insights
While giving is first and foremost a spiritual practice, digital platforms also provide valuable insights you can use to better care for your members.
Without being intrusive, you can observe trends like seasonal giving dips, which may signal opportunities to encourage faithfulness. You can also identify when a longtime giver suddenly stops giving, which may be a sign the family is going through hardship and could use pastoral care. When handled with proper wisdom and restraint, data can help you shepherd your people more effectively.
Building Long-Term Engagement
Finally, digital giving can help nurture long-term commitment. When donors receive regular updates, stories of impact, and personalized thank-you notes, they’re more likely to feel invested in the church's mission.
Over time, this engagement builds trust and strengthens community. It fosters a culture where giving is a connection to the life of the church.
Addressing Common Concerns
Some people may be hesitant to adopt digital giving. They may have specific concerns like:
Generational Tech Gaps
Older members may prefer checks. They should never be forced to switch to digital giving, but if they want to, offer personal support or buddy systems. Have a dedicated person or church employee who helps older members make the switch.
Security Concerns
Some people may distrust online giving. In fact, one out of every ten analog givers (those who pay with cash or check) believes that digital donations don’t even reach the intended recipient.
It’s important to reassure these people that their gifts are secure. If they really want to delve into the details, you can explain concepts such as encryption, PCI compliance, and data protection.
Spiritual Misgivings
Longtime members may also feel like putting something in the offering basket feels more spiritual than giving through an app. In these cases, you can talk about how digital giving is no less sacred than cash in an offering plate. Emphasize that God values the heart, not the manner in which the gift is delivered.
Fees and Stewardship
It’s common for donors to ask, “Do processing fees take away from my gift?” This is a genuine concern and an opportunity to demonstrate good stewardship.
Be upfront: yes, digital platforms charge small fees, just like credit card companies do. However, it also emphasizes how churches can offer an option for donors to “cover the fees” if they wish, ensuring their entire gift supports the ministry.
Privacy Concerns
Some members may worry about how their personal information is handled. Take time to explain that digital giving platforms do not sell or misuse donor information. Share your church’s own policies on data protection, and reassure people that their information is stored securely and only used for ministry purposes.
Celebrate Generosity
Cultivate an atmosphere that celebrates giving, not just budgets. Thank church members for helping the church meet giving goals. If giving was tied to a project or event, share photos of it! Show people being served or filled with joy as a result of the giving.
Also, highlight stories of transformation, and recognize both new and recurring givers in meaningful ways. Remember: Joy fuels generosity.
Conclusion
At its core, building a digital giving culture is about shaping how people see generosity. It’s not a one-time act. It’s an ongoing lifestyle of worship. When church leaders intentionally adopt digital tools, they create new pathways for discipleship and greater impact.
By meeting people where they are, churches remove barriers and invite members to participate more consistently in God’s work. The result isn’t just increased donations, but deeper alignment between faith and everyday practice.
The ultimate goal is to create an environment where generosity fuels ministry, transforms communities, and points people back to God.
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Stephen Altrogge lives in Tallahassee, Florida. He is a dad to three wonderful girls and has written for publications like The Gospel Coalition, Church Leaders, Crosswalk, and many more. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him reading or watching The Lord Of the Rings for the 10th time.
The way people handle money has changed. We live in the Venmo era. Far fewer people are carrying cash or writing checks. Most transactions are done with debit cards, online payments, and mobile apps.
This shift has also reshaped generosity habits. In fact, nearly half of all church donations now happen electronically. Churches that actively promote digital giving see as much as a 32% increase in overall giving.
Living in the Venmo era presents both challenges and opportunities for church leaders. You can’t create a strong digital giving culture just by providing sleek technology. You also need to cultivate a mindset where generosity flows easily, consistently, and joyfully.
In this article, we will explore how church leaders can cultivate a digital giving culture within their church.
Why Digital Giving Matters for Today’s Church
We’ve already touched on this, but it’s worth further discussion. We have reached a point where electronic giving has surpassed traditional methods. 49% of churchgoers give electronically compared to 40% via cash.
Recurring donations, which are often enabled best through digital platforms like Tithely, now account for 37% of all donations and 31% of total giving volume.
If your church isn’t utilizing digital giving, you’re seriously missing out. You’re not tapping into a vast source of funds that could drive missions, outreach, and growth.
It’s as if you’re still listening to music on CDs rather than using Apple Music or Spotify (I realize this comparison doesn’t work for purists who insist on buying physical media).
Start with Vision, Not Just Technology
Digital giving tools like Tithely have many fantastic features. However, here’s the thing: building a digital giving culture begins with a clear vision, not with tech features. Generosity is a spiritual discipline, not a transaction. You won't have much success with digital tools if generosity is not woven into your church’s DNA.
Before adopting digital giving tools, it’s essential to position giving (via sermons, announcements, etc.) as an act of worship that aligns with your church’s mission.
Give a sermon on verses like Psalm 112:5: “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”
Have small groups study verses like Acts 20:35, where Paul says: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
When giving is framed this way, the method becomes secondary to the heart posture behind it.
Make Digital Giving Easy and Accessible
Complexity makes generosity much harder. Digital giving must be seamless. Offer multiple options, such as:
- Web giving: 80% of donors use online forms.
- Mobile apps: about 20% give via an app.
- Cards (debit/credit): used in 80% of all donations.
- ACH/bank transfers: around 16%.
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay): approximately 4%.
By offering multiple touchpoints, like text-to-give, kiosks, or embedded QR codes, you minimize friction and encourage quick, heartfelt responses. People can give spontaneously rather than having to wait for a Sunday service.
For example, you may have a missionary talk about their work in a Wednesday night event. Ultimately, the missionary appeals to the audience to help further support their efforts.
With a platform like Tithely, people can give in the moment, when they feel inspired by God to be generous. If they had to wait for Sunday to give, they may not be as inclined to give.
Digital giving also allows those who can’t attend to give to the church. For example, a homebound person may be listening to your church’s sermon podcast and feel the impulse to give. Or someone might be traveling for work, yet still wants to continue faithfully giving to your church.
Online giving tools make it possible for both people to give generously to your church.
Teach, Model, and Normalize Digital Giving
When people are taught how to give and see it in action, it makes it much easier for your church members to embrace digital giving. Doing live demos, tutorial videos, and step-by-step guides can lower the learning curve.
Church leaders should model the behavior, both giving digitally and explaining how it helps them be faithful in their generosity. Consistently mention digital giving during announcements and on slides. Doing this will make it feel like a regular part of church membership.
Encourage Recurring Giving
Recurring giving benefits both the church and the giver. A steady source of funds allows your church to budget effectively for the future. And by adopting recurring giving, church members can make generosity almost automatic.
Whenever possible, highlight the blessings that accompany steady generosity. Remind your members of verses like 2 Corinthians 9:6, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
Also, celebrate milestones like “We have 50 families now giving monthly!” In the celebration, you can explain how recurring giving powers the church’s mission.
Communicate Impact Clearly
People give when they understand the impact. Share stories, updates, and testimonies on your website, social media, emails, and during services. When members see their gifts in action, they connect generosity to transformation. This reinforces their desire to contribute over time.
Whenever you can, connect members’ giving to real-life impact. For example, you could highlight how giving allows the youth group to serve in the community. Or talk about how your church is able to support a church plant through the faithful giving of members.
Leveraging Digital Giving for Engagement
Digital giving can become a powerful tool for building stronger connections with your congregation.
Instant Gratitude and Follow-Up
One of the most significant advantages of digital giving is that you can thank donors immediately. You can set up automatic confirmation emails or text messages that express gratitude within seconds of a gift being made.
This reassures donors that their contribution has been processed and helps them feel valued.
You can take it a step further by including a brief note of encouragement or a verse about generosity in the confirmation message.
Storytelling Through Technology
Digital giving platforms make it easy to weave storytelling throughout the giving journey. For example, a thank-you email can link to a video update from missionaries or a recent outreach project.
Social media posts can celebrate milestones in real time (“We just reached 75% of our goal to fund the youth mission trip!”). These touchpoints help members connect the dots between their gifts and real-world impact.
Data-Driven Ministry Insights
While giving is first and foremost a spiritual practice, digital platforms also provide valuable insights you can use to better care for your members.
Without being intrusive, you can observe trends like seasonal giving dips, which may signal opportunities to encourage faithfulness. You can also identify when a longtime giver suddenly stops giving, which may be a sign the family is going through hardship and could use pastoral care. When handled with proper wisdom and restraint, data can help you shepherd your people more effectively.
Building Long-Term Engagement
Finally, digital giving can help nurture long-term commitment. When donors receive regular updates, stories of impact, and personalized thank-you notes, they’re more likely to feel invested in the church's mission.
Over time, this engagement builds trust and strengthens community. It fosters a culture where giving is a connection to the life of the church.
Addressing Common Concerns
Some people may be hesitant to adopt digital giving. They may have specific concerns like:
Generational Tech Gaps
Older members may prefer checks. They should never be forced to switch to digital giving, but if they want to, offer personal support or buddy systems. Have a dedicated person or church employee who helps older members make the switch.
Security Concerns
Some people may distrust online giving. In fact, one out of every ten analog givers (those who pay with cash or check) believes that digital donations don’t even reach the intended recipient.
It’s important to reassure these people that their gifts are secure. If they really want to delve into the details, you can explain concepts such as encryption, PCI compliance, and data protection.
Spiritual Misgivings
Longtime members may also feel like putting something in the offering basket feels more spiritual than giving through an app. In these cases, you can talk about how digital giving is no less sacred than cash in an offering plate. Emphasize that God values the heart, not the manner in which the gift is delivered.
Fees and Stewardship
It’s common for donors to ask, “Do processing fees take away from my gift?” This is a genuine concern and an opportunity to demonstrate good stewardship.
Be upfront: yes, digital platforms charge small fees, just like credit card companies do. However, it also emphasizes how churches can offer an option for donors to “cover the fees” if they wish, ensuring their entire gift supports the ministry.
Privacy Concerns
Some members may worry about how their personal information is handled. Take time to explain that digital giving platforms do not sell or misuse donor information. Share your church’s own policies on data protection, and reassure people that their information is stored securely and only used for ministry purposes.
Celebrate Generosity
Cultivate an atmosphere that celebrates giving, not just budgets. Thank church members for helping the church meet giving goals. If giving was tied to a project or event, share photos of it! Show people being served or filled with joy as a result of the giving.
Also, highlight stories of transformation, and recognize both new and recurring givers in meaningful ways. Remember: Joy fuels generosity.
Conclusion
At its core, building a digital giving culture is about shaping how people see generosity. It’s not a one-time act. It’s an ongoing lifestyle of worship. When church leaders intentionally adopt digital tools, they create new pathways for discipleship and greater impact.
By meeting people where they are, churches remove barriers and invite members to participate more consistently in God’s work. The result isn’t just increased donations, but deeper alignment between faith and everyday practice.
The ultimate goal is to create an environment where generosity fuels ministry, transforms communities, and points people back to God.
podcast transcript
Stephen Altrogge lives in Tallahassee, Florida. He is a dad to three wonderful girls and has written for publications like The Gospel Coalition, Church Leaders, Crosswalk, and many more. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him reading or watching The Lord Of the Rings for the 10th time.
The way people handle money has changed. We live in the Venmo era. Far fewer people are carrying cash or writing checks. Most transactions are done with debit cards, online payments, and mobile apps.
This shift has also reshaped generosity habits. In fact, nearly half of all church donations now happen electronically. Churches that actively promote digital giving see as much as a 32% increase in overall giving.
Living in the Venmo era presents both challenges and opportunities for church leaders. You can’t create a strong digital giving culture just by providing sleek technology. You also need to cultivate a mindset where generosity flows easily, consistently, and joyfully.
In this article, we will explore how church leaders can cultivate a digital giving culture within their church.
Why Digital Giving Matters for Today’s Church
We’ve already touched on this, but it’s worth further discussion. We have reached a point where electronic giving has surpassed traditional methods. 49% of churchgoers give electronically compared to 40% via cash.
Recurring donations, which are often enabled best through digital platforms like Tithely, now account for 37% of all donations and 31% of total giving volume.
If your church isn’t utilizing digital giving, you’re seriously missing out. You’re not tapping into a vast source of funds that could drive missions, outreach, and growth.
It’s as if you’re still listening to music on CDs rather than using Apple Music or Spotify (I realize this comparison doesn’t work for purists who insist on buying physical media).
Start with Vision, Not Just Technology
Digital giving tools like Tithely have many fantastic features. However, here’s the thing: building a digital giving culture begins with a clear vision, not with tech features. Generosity is a spiritual discipline, not a transaction. You won't have much success with digital tools if generosity is not woven into your church’s DNA.
Before adopting digital giving tools, it’s essential to position giving (via sermons, announcements, etc.) as an act of worship that aligns with your church’s mission.
Give a sermon on verses like Psalm 112:5: “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”
Have small groups study verses like Acts 20:35, where Paul says: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
When giving is framed this way, the method becomes secondary to the heart posture behind it.
Make Digital Giving Easy and Accessible
Complexity makes generosity much harder. Digital giving must be seamless. Offer multiple options, such as:
- Web giving: 80% of donors use online forms.
- Mobile apps: about 20% give via an app.
- Cards (debit/credit): used in 80% of all donations.
- ACH/bank transfers: around 16%.
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay): approximately 4%.
By offering multiple touchpoints, like text-to-give, kiosks, or embedded QR codes, you minimize friction and encourage quick, heartfelt responses. People can give spontaneously rather than having to wait for a Sunday service.
For example, you may have a missionary talk about their work in a Wednesday night event. Ultimately, the missionary appeals to the audience to help further support their efforts.
With a platform like Tithely, people can give in the moment, when they feel inspired by God to be generous. If they had to wait for Sunday to give, they may not be as inclined to give.
Digital giving also allows those who can’t attend to give to the church. For example, a homebound person may be listening to your church’s sermon podcast and feel the impulse to give. Or someone might be traveling for work, yet still wants to continue faithfully giving to your church.
Online giving tools make it possible for both people to give generously to your church.
Teach, Model, and Normalize Digital Giving
When people are taught how to give and see it in action, it makes it much easier for your church members to embrace digital giving. Doing live demos, tutorial videos, and step-by-step guides can lower the learning curve.
Church leaders should model the behavior, both giving digitally and explaining how it helps them be faithful in their generosity. Consistently mention digital giving during announcements and on slides. Doing this will make it feel like a regular part of church membership.
Encourage Recurring Giving
Recurring giving benefits both the church and the giver. A steady source of funds allows your church to budget effectively for the future. And by adopting recurring giving, church members can make generosity almost automatic.
Whenever possible, highlight the blessings that accompany steady generosity. Remind your members of verses like 2 Corinthians 9:6, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
Also, celebrate milestones like “We have 50 families now giving monthly!” In the celebration, you can explain how recurring giving powers the church’s mission.
Communicate Impact Clearly
People give when they understand the impact. Share stories, updates, and testimonies on your website, social media, emails, and during services. When members see their gifts in action, they connect generosity to transformation. This reinforces their desire to contribute over time.
Whenever you can, connect members’ giving to real-life impact. For example, you could highlight how giving allows the youth group to serve in the community. Or talk about how your church is able to support a church plant through the faithful giving of members.
Leveraging Digital Giving for Engagement
Digital giving can become a powerful tool for building stronger connections with your congregation.
Instant Gratitude and Follow-Up
One of the most significant advantages of digital giving is that you can thank donors immediately. You can set up automatic confirmation emails or text messages that express gratitude within seconds of a gift being made.
This reassures donors that their contribution has been processed and helps them feel valued.
You can take it a step further by including a brief note of encouragement or a verse about generosity in the confirmation message.
Storytelling Through Technology
Digital giving platforms make it easy to weave storytelling throughout the giving journey. For example, a thank-you email can link to a video update from missionaries or a recent outreach project.
Social media posts can celebrate milestones in real time (“We just reached 75% of our goal to fund the youth mission trip!”). These touchpoints help members connect the dots between their gifts and real-world impact.
Data-Driven Ministry Insights
While giving is first and foremost a spiritual practice, digital platforms also provide valuable insights you can use to better care for your members.
Without being intrusive, you can observe trends like seasonal giving dips, which may signal opportunities to encourage faithfulness. You can also identify when a longtime giver suddenly stops giving, which may be a sign the family is going through hardship and could use pastoral care. When handled with proper wisdom and restraint, data can help you shepherd your people more effectively.
Building Long-Term Engagement
Finally, digital giving can help nurture long-term commitment. When donors receive regular updates, stories of impact, and personalized thank-you notes, they’re more likely to feel invested in the church's mission.
Over time, this engagement builds trust and strengthens community. It fosters a culture where giving is a connection to the life of the church.
Addressing Common Concerns
Some people may be hesitant to adopt digital giving. They may have specific concerns like:
Generational Tech Gaps
Older members may prefer checks. They should never be forced to switch to digital giving, but if they want to, offer personal support or buddy systems. Have a dedicated person or church employee who helps older members make the switch.
Security Concerns
Some people may distrust online giving. In fact, one out of every ten analog givers (those who pay with cash or check) believes that digital donations don’t even reach the intended recipient.
It’s important to reassure these people that their gifts are secure. If they really want to delve into the details, you can explain concepts such as encryption, PCI compliance, and data protection.
Spiritual Misgivings
Longtime members may also feel like putting something in the offering basket feels more spiritual than giving through an app. In these cases, you can talk about how digital giving is no less sacred than cash in an offering plate. Emphasize that God values the heart, not the manner in which the gift is delivered.
Fees and Stewardship
It’s common for donors to ask, “Do processing fees take away from my gift?” This is a genuine concern and an opportunity to demonstrate good stewardship.
Be upfront: yes, digital platforms charge small fees, just like credit card companies do. However, it also emphasizes how churches can offer an option for donors to “cover the fees” if they wish, ensuring their entire gift supports the ministry.
Privacy Concerns
Some members may worry about how their personal information is handled. Take time to explain that digital giving platforms do not sell or misuse donor information. Share your church’s own policies on data protection, and reassure people that their information is stored securely and only used for ministry purposes.
Celebrate Generosity
Cultivate an atmosphere that celebrates giving, not just budgets. Thank church members for helping the church meet giving goals. If giving was tied to a project or event, share photos of it! Show people being served or filled with joy as a result of the giving.
Also, highlight stories of transformation, and recognize both new and recurring givers in meaningful ways. Remember: Joy fuels generosity.
Conclusion
At its core, building a digital giving culture is about shaping how people see generosity. It’s not a one-time act. It’s an ongoing lifestyle of worship. When church leaders intentionally adopt digital tools, they create new pathways for discipleship and greater impact.
By meeting people where they are, churches remove barriers and invite members to participate more consistently in God’s work. The result isn’t just increased donations, but deeper alignment between faith and everyday practice.
The ultimate goal is to create an environment where generosity fuels ministry, transforms communities, and points people back to God.
VIDEO transcript
The way people handle money has changed. We live in the Venmo era. Far fewer people are carrying cash or writing checks. Most transactions are done with debit cards, online payments, and mobile apps.
This shift has also reshaped generosity habits. In fact, nearly half of all church donations now happen electronically. Churches that actively promote digital giving see as much as a 32% increase in overall giving.
Living in the Venmo era presents both challenges and opportunities for church leaders. You can’t create a strong digital giving culture just by providing sleek technology. You also need to cultivate a mindset where generosity flows easily, consistently, and joyfully.
In this article, we will explore how church leaders can cultivate a digital giving culture within their church.
Why Digital Giving Matters for Today’s Church
We’ve already touched on this, but it’s worth further discussion. We have reached a point where electronic giving has surpassed traditional methods. 49% of churchgoers give electronically compared to 40% via cash.
Recurring donations, which are often enabled best through digital platforms like Tithely, now account for 37% of all donations and 31% of total giving volume.
If your church isn’t utilizing digital giving, you’re seriously missing out. You’re not tapping into a vast source of funds that could drive missions, outreach, and growth.
It’s as if you’re still listening to music on CDs rather than using Apple Music or Spotify (I realize this comparison doesn’t work for purists who insist on buying physical media).
Start with Vision, Not Just Technology
Digital giving tools like Tithely have many fantastic features. However, here’s the thing: building a digital giving culture begins with a clear vision, not with tech features. Generosity is a spiritual discipline, not a transaction. You won't have much success with digital tools if generosity is not woven into your church’s DNA.
Before adopting digital giving tools, it’s essential to position giving (via sermons, announcements, etc.) as an act of worship that aligns with your church’s mission.
Give a sermon on verses like Psalm 112:5: “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”
Have small groups study verses like Acts 20:35, where Paul says: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
When giving is framed this way, the method becomes secondary to the heart posture behind it.
Make Digital Giving Easy and Accessible
Complexity makes generosity much harder. Digital giving must be seamless. Offer multiple options, such as:
- Web giving: 80% of donors use online forms.
- Mobile apps: about 20% give via an app.
- Cards (debit/credit): used in 80% of all donations.
- ACH/bank transfers: around 16%.
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay): approximately 4%.
By offering multiple touchpoints, like text-to-give, kiosks, or embedded QR codes, you minimize friction and encourage quick, heartfelt responses. People can give spontaneously rather than having to wait for a Sunday service.
For example, you may have a missionary talk about their work in a Wednesday night event. Ultimately, the missionary appeals to the audience to help further support their efforts.
With a platform like Tithely, people can give in the moment, when they feel inspired by God to be generous. If they had to wait for Sunday to give, they may not be as inclined to give.
Digital giving also allows those who can’t attend to give to the church. For example, a homebound person may be listening to your church’s sermon podcast and feel the impulse to give. Or someone might be traveling for work, yet still wants to continue faithfully giving to your church.
Online giving tools make it possible for both people to give generously to your church.
Teach, Model, and Normalize Digital Giving
When people are taught how to give and see it in action, it makes it much easier for your church members to embrace digital giving. Doing live demos, tutorial videos, and step-by-step guides can lower the learning curve.
Church leaders should model the behavior, both giving digitally and explaining how it helps them be faithful in their generosity. Consistently mention digital giving during announcements and on slides. Doing this will make it feel like a regular part of church membership.
Encourage Recurring Giving
Recurring giving benefits both the church and the giver. A steady source of funds allows your church to budget effectively for the future. And by adopting recurring giving, church members can make generosity almost automatic.
Whenever possible, highlight the blessings that accompany steady generosity. Remind your members of verses like 2 Corinthians 9:6, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
Also, celebrate milestones like “We have 50 families now giving monthly!” In the celebration, you can explain how recurring giving powers the church’s mission.
Communicate Impact Clearly
People give when they understand the impact. Share stories, updates, and testimonies on your website, social media, emails, and during services. When members see their gifts in action, they connect generosity to transformation. This reinforces their desire to contribute over time.
Whenever you can, connect members’ giving to real-life impact. For example, you could highlight how giving allows the youth group to serve in the community. Or talk about how your church is able to support a church plant through the faithful giving of members.
Leveraging Digital Giving for Engagement
Digital giving can become a powerful tool for building stronger connections with your congregation.
Instant Gratitude and Follow-Up
One of the most significant advantages of digital giving is that you can thank donors immediately. You can set up automatic confirmation emails or text messages that express gratitude within seconds of a gift being made.
This reassures donors that their contribution has been processed and helps them feel valued.
You can take it a step further by including a brief note of encouragement or a verse about generosity in the confirmation message.
Storytelling Through Technology
Digital giving platforms make it easy to weave storytelling throughout the giving journey. For example, a thank-you email can link to a video update from missionaries or a recent outreach project.
Social media posts can celebrate milestones in real time (“We just reached 75% of our goal to fund the youth mission trip!”). These touchpoints help members connect the dots between their gifts and real-world impact.
Data-Driven Ministry Insights
While giving is first and foremost a spiritual practice, digital platforms also provide valuable insights you can use to better care for your members.
Without being intrusive, you can observe trends like seasonal giving dips, which may signal opportunities to encourage faithfulness. You can also identify when a longtime giver suddenly stops giving, which may be a sign the family is going through hardship and could use pastoral care. When handled with proper wisdom and restraint, data can help you shepherd your people more effectively.
Building Long-Term Engagement
Finally, digital giving can help nurture long-term commitment. When donors receive regular updates, stories of impact, and personalized thank-you notes, they’re more likely to feel invested in the church's mission.
Over time, this engagement builds trust and strengthens community. It fosters a culture where giving is a connection to the life of the church.
Addressing Common Concerns
Some people may be hesitant to adopt digital giving. They may have specific concerns like:
Generational Tech Gaps
Older members may prefer checks. They should never be forced to switch to digital giving, but if they want to, offer personal support or buddy systems. Have a dedicated person or church employee who helps older members make the switch.
Security Concerns
Some people may distrust online giving. In fact, one out of every ten analog givers (those who pay with cash or check) believes that digital donations don’t even reach the intended recipient.
It’s important to reassure these people that their gifts are secure. If they really want to delve into the details, you can explain concepts such as encryption, PCI compliance, and data protection.
Spiritual Misgivings
Longtime members may also feel like putting something in the offering basket feels more spiritual than giving through an app. In these cases, you can talk about how digital giving is no less sacred than cash in an offering plate. Emphasize that God values the heart, not the manner in which the gift is delivered.
Fees and Stewardship
It’s common for donors to ask, “Do processing fees take away from my gift?” This is a genuine concern and an opportunity to demonstrate good stewardship.
Be upfront: yes, digital platforms charge small fees, just like credit card companies do. However, it also emphasizes how churches can offer an option for donors to “cover the fees” if they wish, ensuring their entire gift supports the ministry.
Privacy Concerns
Some members may worry about how their personal information is handled. Take time to explain that digital giving platforms do not sell or misuse donor information. Share your church’s own policies on data protection, and reassure people that their information is stored securely and only used for ministry purposes.
Celebrate Generosity
Cultivate an atmosphere that celebrates giving, not just budgets. Thank church members for helping the church meet giving goals. If giving was tied to a project or event, share photos of it! Show people being served or filled with joy as a result of the giving.
Also, highlight stories of transformation, and recognize both new and recurring givers in meaningful ways. Remember: Joy fuels generosity.
Conclusion
At its core, building a digital giving culture is about shaping how people see generosity. It’s not a one-time act. It’s an ongoing lifestyle of worship. When church leaders intentionally adopt digital tools, they create new pathways for discipleship and greater impact.
By meeting people where they are, churches remove barriers and invite members to participate more consistently in God’s work. The result isn’t just increased donations, but deeper alignment between faith and everyday practice.
The ultimate goal is to create an environment where generosity fuels ministry, transforms communities, and points people back to God.
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Stephen Altrogge lives in Tallahassee, Florida. He is a dad to three wonderful girls and has written for publications like The Gospel Coalition, Church Leaders, Crosswalk, and many more. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him reading or watching The Lord Of the Rings for the 10th time.
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