Can You Tithe with a Credit Card? Online Giving for Small Churches

For many years, tithes and offerings could only be accepted via cash or credit. This made it relatively easy for small churches to collect the tithes and offerings, as well as process them. The entire process could be handled by a relatively small number of people.

Things have changed dramatically in the past 20 years. With the advent of the internet and online payment systems, many churches have started to embrace new technology when it comes to tithing.

This has led some people to wonder: can you tithe with a credit card? And is online giving a viable option for small churches?

The Benefits of Online Giving For Small Churches

Online giving has numerous benefits for both the church and its members. It eliminates the need for handling large amounts of cash or checks - a time-consuming and risky process. It also allows for easier tracking and reporting of donations, making it more convenient for both the church and its members come tax season.

Additionally, online giving makes it possible for churchgoers to give even when they are not physically present at the church. This is especially beneficial for small churches with a limited number of members, as it allows them to reach out to potential donors outside of their immediate community.

The point is, online giving is a boon for small churches. It mostly eliminates time-consuming manual processes, reduces security risks, and makes the entire system run smoothly. Thousands of churches, including many small ones, have adopted online giving to their great benefit.

However, this doesn't directly answer the question of whether you can tithe with a credit card. 

Can You Tithe With A Credit Card? 

Yes, you can tithe with a credit card. Even if your church is small. To do so, you need to utilize a giving platform that accepts and processes credit card donations.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves a bit. Let's talk about the different ways small churches can accept tithes and offerings.

Credit Card

As we noted, you can accept tithes and offerings via credit card. How can you make this happen? You need to use a platform that accepts donations, either physically or online. Just as stores utilize credit card systems to accept payments, you can utilize similar systems in your small church to accept tithes with a credit card.

Debit Card

Debit cards are also widely accepted for tithing and offering donations. Just like credit cards, you need to use a platform that accepts debit card donations. Many people prefer using debit cards over credit cards because it allows them to give within their means without incurring debt.

ACH Transfers

ACH transfers, or Automated Clearing House transfers, allow for direct electronic payments from one bank account to another. This payment method is commonly used for recurring tithes and offerings. Some giving platforms offer the option of setting up recurring ACH transfers, making it easier for church members to consistently tithe each month.

Text-To-Give

Text-to-give is a newer method of giving that allows church members to donate directly from their phones by sending a text message. This is a convenient option for those who may not have cash or checks on hand but still want to give during the service.

Mobile Donation App

Similar to text-to-give, mobile donation apps make it easy for church members to give directly from their smartphones. These apps often offer additional features, such as setting up recurring donations and tracking giving history.

Cash and Checks

Lastly, traditional methods of giving using cash or checks are still widely used in churches. This may be a preferred option for older members who may not be comfortable with technology or prefer the physical act of placing their offering in the collection plate during the service.

As you can see, you CAN tithe with a credit card if your church has the right system in place. You can also give in a number of other ways, depending on the giving platform your small church selects.

What if there were an online giving platform for small churches that allowed you to accept tithes and offerings via ALL the methods mentioned above?

Thankfully, there is.

Free online giving tools for your church

Tithely provides the best online tools to help you increase generosity, manage your church, and engage your church members.

Sign Up Free

Tithely: The Online Giving Solution For Small Churches

Tithely is an all-in-one robust giving platform for churches, including small churches. It allows you to accept tithes and offerings in 6 different ways, including:

• Credit card/debit card
• Text giving
• Free church giving app
• Admin gift entry
• Kiosk giving
• Check scanning

Tithely makes it incredibly simple for your church members to give to the church, whether that's one-time gifts or recurring donations. There are a number of other features included with Tithely that make it the go-to online giving platform for small churches. Those features include:

• Tracking and reporting: Tithely allows you to easily track and report on all giving activity, making it easy for your church to stay organized and informed.
  
  
• Donor management: You can easily manage your donors' information and giving history, making it easier to thank them for their generosity.
  
  
• Recurring donations: With Tithely, you can set up recurring donations that occur automatically according to the donor's chosen frequency. This makes it easier for your church to budget and plan financially.
  
  
• Customizable donation forms: Tithely allows you to customize your online donation form with your church's branding and messaging, creating a seamless giving experience for your members.
  
  
• Security and privacy: Tithely uses industry-standard security measures to ensure that all donations and personal information remain safe and secure.
  
  
• Easy integration: Tithely integrates easily with popular church management systems, making it simple for your church to keep track of all giving activity in one place.

With Tithely, small churches can have access to the same online giving capabilities as larger churches without breaking the bank. The platform offers affordable pricing plans tailored specifically for smaller congregations. And with their exceptional customer support, you can rest assured that any questions or issues will be promptly addressed.

Simply put, Tithely is a game changer for small churches when it comes to accepting tithes and offerings online. 

It streamlines the giving process, makes financial planning easier, and allows for better donor management. Plus, with its user-friendly interface and customizable features, Tithely helps create a more engaging and personalized giving experience for your church members.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this answered the question of whether you can tithe with a credit card. Yes, you sure can. But as you've seen, there are so many other ways for small churches to accept tithes and offerings, such as online giving platforms like Tithely.

In addition to creating a more convenient giving experience for your members, utilizing technology for tithing can also help modernize and streamline other aspects of church management.

So don't be afraid to embrace technology in your church's operations. You can keep the old traditional ways of giving while implementing new, more efficient ones as well.

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