Why Digital Giving Is Essential for Church Growth
People want to give the moment generosity sparks, but without digital giving, that moment often disappears. Here’s why digital giving fuels church growth and how to make it work in your ministry.
It's Wednesday night. You just left small group where you heard about how your church is helping single moms in your community. You want to do something to support this ministry of your church. But by the time Sunday rolls around, you have unintentionally forgotten about your desire to give. It's not that you don't want to help. It has just slipped your mind.
That gap between intention and action is where churches lose countless gifts and opportunities for ministry.
Digital giving closes that gap.
The truth is that digital giving is a growth engine for your church. It lets people give the moment generosity comes to mind. It could be during a midweek prayer. Maybe after a mission update on Instagram. Or when a text reminder lands at lunch.
With simple options like app giving, text-to-give, QR codes, and a secure online page, your church makes generosity available 24/7, not just during a three-minute offering slot on Sunday. The result? More first-time gifts, more consistent recurring giving, and steadier resources to plan real ministry.
In this article, we talk about why digital giving is essential for church growth, how “give-when-it-comes-to-mind” moments fuel generosity, and the practical steps to bring it to your congregation.
Why Digital Giving Is Now Essential (Not Optional)
Digital giving is no longer a nice-to-have add-on. It's essential for the success of your church ministry.
People's habits have changed drastically over the past 15 years. Almost everything is done on mobile devices, from booking trips to signing up for events to giving to churches.
What's more, some people have adopted a somewhat hybrid approach to church attendance. When they can, they come in person. However, when they're unable to attend the Sunday gathering, they often watch the service online.
If you want your church to grow, you must remove as much friction from the giving process as possible. That means making it easy for people to give first-time gifts, as well as set up recurring donations as they become more integrated in the church.
The reality is that digital giving for churches helps people become better stewards of their finances. It doesn't replace spiritual formation, but enhances it.
The Psychology of “Give When It Comes to Mind” vs. Sunday-Only
Every person experiences sparks of generosity when they want to give to the church. It happens during small group meetings, when updates from missionaries come in, or even when they get a text about a local need.
The problem is that friction kills follow-through. Remembering to give when you’re not at church can be a barrier for many. People forget. The spark fades. The sense of urgency subsides.
To capture those sparks of generosity, an immediate giving solution is needed.
Enter digital giving tools for the win. Digital giving tools allow for quick and easy donations with just a few clicks on a smartphone or computer. They eliminate the need for physical checks or cash, making it simpler for people to give in the moment without any barriers.
So when a small group leader talks about the church's mission fund, people can give to it immediately. Or, when the church sends out a text about a local need, people can easily donate on the spot.
Core Benefits of Digital Giving for Church Growth
We've hinted at some of the key benefits of digital giving, but let's explore them more fully.
24/7, Multi-Channel Access Beyond the Plate
One of, if not the, biggest benefit of offering your church members digital giving options is that they can give anywhere at any time. This dramatically increases the convenience factor for your members and removes barriers to giving. People can give to your church the moment God puts it on their hearts.
On top of this, your church members are able to give in a way that is simplest for them. Some will give online. Some will give through an app. And some will choose to donate by text message.
The outcome is a surge of giving from your members. Giving is easier, the church is able to accept gifts at any time, and cash flow is much steadier.
Recurring Giving Stabilizes the Budget
Recurring giving provides churches with a consistent income stream, allowing for better budgeting and planning. It smooths out seasonal giving dips and supports long-term ministry planning.
With recurring giving, church leaders can be more confident in their financial decisions, knowing that the budget is stabilized. This also reduces the stress associated with last-minute fundraising efforts or unexpected financial shortfalls.
Additionally, recurring giving allows church members to plan their donations according to their own financial situation. They can choose the frequency and amount of their donations based on what they can afford.
Offering digital giving options provides a nice on-ramp from giving a first-time gift to making recurring gifts.
Reaching the Under-Reached
Every church has members who want to be part of the mission of the church but can't always be present. Think travelers, shift workers, online congregants, etc.
Offering digital giving options gives these members the opportunity to still contribute to the mission of the church, even if they can't physically attend services. This increases participation and involvement while also allowing the church to reach a wider audience and expand its impact.
Better Data Improves Discipleship and Communication
When you have unified member profiles that include things like giving, attendance, group participation, and serving, you can strengthen your discipleship efforts and your communication.
For example, if your data shows that you have a number of regular attenders who haven't given yet, you could do a "Why We Give" sermon series. Or, if a recurring donor has a soon-expiring payment method, you can provide them with a gentle reminder to update their payment method.
On top of this, you can determine which sermons, emails, texts, or events move the generosity needle. You can also segment your data to see if certain demographics or groups are more likely to give.
This allows you to tailor your communication and discipleship efforts specifically for those individuals, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Transparency and Trust
Using digital giving tools enables you to easily provide your members with year-end statements and giving receipts. You can also let church members give to specific funds, rather than just giving to a general church fund.
By providing financial transparency, you build trust with your members. In turn, this can encourage increased giving, as people are more likely to give when they know exactly where their money is going and how it is being used within the church.
Additionally, digital giving allows you to track and report donations, making it easier for the church and its members to have a clear understanding of the financial health of the organization.
How To Encourage Digital Giving In Your Church
If you want your members to adopt digital giving tools, there are a number of steps you can take.
- Embed giving options in the header and footer of your website, as well as the "Next Steps" page for those interested in becoming members.
- If you have a mobile app, include giving options on your home screen.
- Provide your members with a text-to-give code (e.g., "GIVE") so that they can easily give to the church via SMS.
- Put QR codes for digital giving in multiple places, like the pews, lobby, printed programs, slides, etc.
- Include links to your digital giving platforms in emails sent to attendees and members.
- Encourage your members to give during specific times in your Sunday service, like missions updates, benevolence, or student ministry updates.
Essentially, you want to give your members as many reminders as possible to embrace digital giving.
Theological Framing Of Digital Giving
The churches that have the most success with digital giving root the entire process in God's word.
It's essential to remind your church members that all giving, including digital giving, is an act of worship, trust, and participation in God's mission. Digital giving is an opportunity to teach and remind members that everything we have belongs to God, and giving is a way to show our gratitude for His provision.
It's also important to emphasize that digital giving is a servant of discipleship. It doesn't replace the spiritual discipline of giving; it removes barriers that hinder members from practicing that discipline.
It also allows your members to better steward the resources God has given them, making it easier for them to give consistently and support the church's needs.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
There are a number of common mistakes that churches make when trying to implement digital giving.
The first mistake is to launch digital giving without accompanying it with the theological framing we discussed above. When the theological aspect of digital giving is ignored, it makes the entire process feel like nothing more than a technology push. It's essential to remind members that giving digitally is simply another way to participate in the act of worship and stewardship.
Another common mistake is burying giving options in places that make it difficult for people to find. Your members should have zero trouble finding numerous places to give digitally to the church.
A third mistake churches often make when implementing digital giving is over-complicating the funds your members can give to. When people have too many giving options, it can lead to them feeling overwhelmed, and they may not end up giving at all. Give your members a few different giving options, but not too many.
Make Every Moment a Giving Moment
When generosity is easy and readily available, churches grow. Not just in dollars, but in participation, momentum, and mission impact. Digital giving turns Wednesday-night conviction, Saturday-morning gratitude, and midweek prayer prompts into real support. You can capture gifts that used to evaporate between intention and Sunday.
So start where you are. Keep the call to give personal, the pathways simple, and the vision clear: every day is an opportunity to resource God’s work through your church.
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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.
It's Wednesday night. You just left small group where you heard about how your church is helping single moms in your community. You want to do something to support this ministry of your church. But by the time Sunday rolls around, you have unintentionally forgotten about your desire to give. It's not that you don't want to help. It has just slipped your mind.
That gap between intention and action is where churches lose countless gifts and opportunities for ministry.
Digital giving closes that gap.
The truth is that digital giving is a growth engine for your church. It lets people give the moment generosity comes to mind. It could be during a midweek prayer. Maybe after a mission update on Instagram. Or when a text reminder lands at lunch.
With simple options like app giving, text-to-give, QR codes, and a secure online page, your church makes generosity available 24/7, not just during a three-minute offering slot on Sunday. The result? More first-time gifts, more consistent recurring giving, and steadier resources to plan real ministry.
In this article, we talk about why digital giving is essential for church growth, how “give-when-it-comes-to-mind” moments fuel generosity, and the practical steps to bring it to your congregation.
Why Digital Giving Is Now Essential (Not Optional)
Digital giving is no longer a nice-to-have add-on. It's essential for the success of your church ministry.
People's habits have changed drastically over the past 15 years. Almost everything is done on mobile devices, from booking trips to signing up for events to giving to churches.
What's more, some people have adopted a somewhat hybrid approach to church attendance. When they can, they come in person. However, when they're unable to attend the Sunday gathering, they often watch the service online.
If you want your church to grow, you must remove as much friction from the giving process as possible. That means making it easy for people to give first-time gifts, as well as set up recurring donations as they become more integrated in the church.
The reality is that digital giving for churches helps people become better stewards of their finances. It doesn't replace spiritual formation, but enhances it.
The Psychology of “Give When It Comes to Mind” vs. Sunday-Only
Every person experiences sparks of generosity when they want to give to the church. It happens during small group meetings, when updates from missionaries come in, or even when they get a text about a local need.
The problem is that friction kills follow-through. Remembering to give when you’re not at church can be a barrier for many. People forget. The spark fades. The sense of urgency subsides.
To capture those sparks of generosity, an immediate giving solution is needed.
Enter digital giving tools for the win. Digital giving tools allow for quick and easy donations with just a few clicks on a smartphone or computer. They eliminate the need for physical checks or cash, making it simpler for people to give in the moment without any barriers.
So when a small group leader talks about the church's mission fund, people can give to it immediately. Or, when the church sends out a text about a local need, people can easily donate on the spot.
Core Benefits of Digital Giving for Church Growth
We've hinted at some of the key benefits of digital giving, but let's explore them more fully.
24/7, Multi-Channel Access Beyond the Plate
One of, if not the, biggest benefit of offering your church members digital giving options is that they can give anywhere at any time. This dramatically increases the convenience factor for your members and removes barriers to giving. People can give to your church the moment God puts it on their hearts.
On top of this, your church members are able to give in a way that is simplest for them. Some will give online. Some will give through an app. And some will choose to donate by text message.
The outcome is a surge of giving from your members. Giving is easier, the church is able to accept gifts at any time, and cash flow is much steadier.
Recurring Giving Stabilizes the Budget
Recurring giving provides churches with a consistent income stream, allowing for better budgeting and planning. It smooths out seasonal giving dips and supports long-term ministry planning.
With recurring giving, church leaders can be more confident in their financial decisions, knowing that the budget is stabilized. This also reduces the stress associated with last-minute fundraising efforts or unexpected financial shortfalls.
Additionally, recurring giving allows church members to plan their donations according to their own financial situation. They can choose the frequency and amount of their donations based on what they can afford.
Offering digital giving options provides a nice on-ramp from giving a first-time gift to making recurring gifts.
Reaching the Under-Reached
Every church has members who want to be part of the mission of the church but can't always be present. Think travelers, shift workers, online congregants, etc.
Offering digital giving options gives these members the opportunity to still contribute to the mission of the church, even if they can't physically attend services. This increases participation and involvement while also allowing the church to reach a wider audience and expand its impact.
Better Data Improves Discipleship and Communication
When you have unified member profiles that include things like giving, attendance, group participation, and serving, you can strengthen your discipleship efforts and your communication.
For example, if your data shows that you have a number of regular attenders who haven't given yet, you could do a "Why We Give" sermon series. Or, if a recurring donor has a soon-expiring payment method, you can provide them with a gentle reminder to update their payment method.
On top of this, you can determine which sermons, emails, texts, or events move the generosity needle. You can also segment your data to see if certain demographics or groups are more likely to give.
This allows you to tailor your communication and discipleship efforts specifically for those individuals, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Transparency and Trust
Using digital giving tools enables you to easily provide your members with year-end statements and giving receipts. You can also let church members give to specific funds, rather than just giving to a general church fund.
By providing financial transparency, you build trust with your members. In turn, this can encourage increased giving, as people are more likely to give when they know exactly where their money is going and how it is being used within the church.
Additionally, digital giving allows you to track and report donations, making it easier for the church and its members to have a clear understanding of the financial health of the organization.
How To Encourage Digital Giving In Your Church
If you want your members to adopt digital giving tools, there are a number of steps you can take.
- Embed giving options in the header and footer of your website, as well as the "Next Steps" page for those interested in becoming members.
- If you have a mobile app, include giving options on your home screen.
- Provide your members with a text-to-give code (e.g., "GIVE") so that they can easily give to the church via SMS.
- Put QR codes for digital giving in multiple places, like the pews, lobby, printed programs, slides, etc.
- Include links to your digital giving platforms in emails sent to attendees and members.
- Encourage your members to give during specific times in your Sunday service, like missions updates, benevolence, or student ministry updates.
Essentially, you want to give your members as many reminders as possible to embrace digital giving.
Theological Framing Of Digital Giving
The churches that have the most success with digital giving root the entire process in God's word.
It's essential to remind your church members that all giving, including digital giving, is an act of worship, trust, and participation in God's mission. Digital giving is an opportunity to teach and remind members that everything we have belongs to God, and giving is a way to show our gratitude for His provision.
It's also important to emphasize that digital giving is a servant of discipleship. It doesn't replace the spiritual discipline of giving; it removes barriers that hinder members from practicing that discipline.
It also allows your members to better steward the resources God has given them, making it easier for them to give consistently and support the church's needs.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
There are a number of common mistakes that churches make when trying to implement digital giving.
The first mistake is to launch digital giving without accompanying it with the theological framing we discussed above. When the theological aspect of digital giving is ignored, it makes the entire process feel like nothing more than a technology push. It's essential to remind members that giving digitally is simply another way to participate in the act of worship and stewardship.
Another common mistake is burying giving options in places that make it difficult for people to find. Your members should have zero trouble finding numerous places to give digitally to the church.
A third mistake churches often make when implementing digital giving is over-complicating the funds your members can give to. When people have too many giving options, it can lead to them feeling overwhelmed, and they may not end up giving at all. Give your members a few different giving options, but not too many.
Make Every Moment a Giving Moment
When generosity is easy and readily available, churches grow. Not just in dollars, but in participation, momentum, and mission impact. Digital giving turns Wednesday-night conviction, Saturday-morning gratitude, and midweek prayer prompts into real support. You can capture gifts that used to evaporate between intention and Sunday.
So start where you are. Keep the call to give personal, the pathways simple, and the vision clear: every day is an opportunity to resource God’s work through your church.
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.
It's Wednesday night. You just left small group where you heard about how your church is helping single moms in your community. You want to do something to support this ministry of your church. But by the time Sunday rolls around, you have unintentionally forgotten about your desire to give. It's not that you don't want to help. It has just slipped your mind.
That gap between intention and action is where churches lose countless gifts and opportunities for ministry.
Digital giving closes that gap.
The truth is that digital giving is a growth engine for your church. It lets people give the moment generosity comes to mind. It could be during a midweek prayer. Maybe after a mission update on Instagram. Or when a text reminder lands at lunch.
With simple options like app giving, text-to-give, QR codes, and a secure online page, your church makes generosity available 24/7, not just during a three-minute offering slot on Sunday. The result? More first-time gifts, more consistent recurring giving, and steadier resources to plan real ministry.
In this article, we talk about why digital giving is essential for church growth, how “give-when-it-comes-to-mind” moments fuel generosity, and the practical steps to bring it to your congregation.
Why Digital Giving Is Now Essential (Not Optional)
Digital giving is no longer a nice-to-have add-on. It's essential for the success of your church ministry.
People's habits have changed drastically over the past 15 years. Almost everything is done on mobile devices, from booking trips to signing up for events to giving to churches.
What's more, some people have adopted a somewhat hybrid approach to church attendance. When they can, they come in person. However, when they're unable to attend the Sunday gathering, they often watch the service online.
If you want your church to grow, you must remove as much friction from the giving process as possible. That means making it easy for people to give first-time gifts, as well as set up recurring donations as they become more integrated in the church.
The reality is that digital giving for churches helps people become better stewards of their finances. It doesn't replace spiritual formation, but enhances it.
The Psychology of “Give When It Comes to Mind” vs. Sunday-Only
Every person experiences sparks of generosity when they want to give to the church. It happens during small group meetings, when updates from missionaries come in, or even when they get a text about a local need.
The problem is that friction kills follow-through. Remembering to give when you’re not at church can be a barrier for many. People forget. The spark fades. The sense of urgency subsides.
To capture those sparks of generosity, an immediate giving solution is needed.
Enter digital giving tools for the win. Digital giving tools allow for quick and easy donations with just a few clicks on a smartphone or computer. They eliminate the need for physical checks or cash, making it simpler for people to give in the moment without any barriers.
So when a small group leader talks about the church's mission fund, people can give to it immediately. Or, when the church sends out a text about a local need, people can easily donate on the spot.
Core Benefits of Digital Giving for Church Growth
We've hinted at some of the key benefits of digital giving, but let's explore them more fully.
24/7, Multi-Channel Access Beyond the Plate
One of, if not the, biggest benefit of offering your church members digital giving options is that they can give anywhere at any time. This dramatically increases the convenience factor for your members and removes barriers to giving. People can give to your church the moment God puts it on their hearts.
On top of this, your church members are able to give in a way that is simplest for them. Some will give online. Some will give through an app. And some will choose to donate by text message.
The outcome is a surge of giving from your members. Giving is easier, the church is able to accept gifts at any time, and cash flow is much steadier.
Recurring Giving Stabilizes the Budget
Recurring giving provides churches with a consistent income stream, allowing for better budgeting and planning. It smooths out seasonal giving dips and supports long-term ministry planning.
With recurring giving, church leaders can be more confident in their financial decisions, knowing that the budget is stabilized. This also reduces the stress associated with last-minute fundraising efforts or unexpected financial shortfalls.
Additionally, recurring giving allows church members to plan their donations according to their own financial situation. They can choose the frequency and amount of their donations based on what they can afford.
Offering digital giving options provides a nice on-ramp from giving a first-time gift to making recurring gifts.
Reaching the Under-Reached
Every church has members who want to be part of the mission of the church but can't always be present. Think travelers, shift workers, online congregants, etc.
Offering digital giving options gives these members the opportunity to still contribute to the mission of the church, even if they can't physically attend services. This increases participation and involvement while also allowing the church to reach a wider audience and expand its impact.
Better Data Improves Discipleship and Communication
When you have unified member profiles that include things like giving, attendance, group participation, and serving, you can strengthen your discipleship efforts and your communication.
For example, if your data shows that you have a number of regular attenders who haven't given yet, you could do a "Why We Give" sermon series. Or, if a recurring donor has a soon-expiring payment method, you can provide them with a gentle reminder to update their payment method.
On top of this, you can determine which sermons, emails, texts, or events move the generosity needle. You can also segment your data to see if certain demographics or groups are more likely to give.
This allows you to tailor your communication and discipleship efforts specifically for those individuals, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Transparency and Trust
Using digital giving tools enables you to easily provide your members with year-end statements and giving receipts. You can also let church members give to specific funds, rather than just giving to a general church fund.
By providing financial transparency, you build trust with your members. In turn, this can encourage increased giving, as people are more likely to give when they know exactly where their money is going and how it is being used within the church.
Additionally, digital giving allows you to track and report donations, making it easier for the church and its members to have a clear understanding of the financial health of the organization.
How To Encourage Digital Giving In Your Church
If you want your members to adopt digital giving tools, there are a number of steps you can take.
- Embed giving options in the header and footer of your website, as well as the "Next Steps" page for those interested in becoming members.
- If you have a mobile app, include giving options on your home screen.
- Provide your members with a text-to-give code (e.g., "GIVE") so that they can easily give to the church via SMS.
- Put QR codes for digital giving in multiple places, like the pews, lobby, printed programs, slides, etc.
- Include links to your digital giving platforms in emails sent to attendees and members.
- Encourage your members to give during specific times in your Sunday service, like missions updates, benevolence, or student ministry updates.
Essentially, you want to give your members as many reminders as possible to embrace digital giving.
Theological Framing Of Digital Giving
The churches that have the most success with digital giving root the entire process in God's word.
It's essential to remind your church members that all giving, including digital giving, is an act of worship, trust, and participation in God's mission. Digital giving is an opportunity to teach and remind members that everything we have belongs to God, and giving is a way to show our gratitude for His provision.
It's also important to emphasize that digital giving is a servant of discipleship. It doesn't replace the spiritual discipline of giving; it removes barriers that hinder members from practicing that discipline.
It also allows your members to better steward the resources God has given them, making it easier for them to give consistently and support the church's needs.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
There are a number of common mistakes that churches make when trying to implement digital giving.
The first mistake is to launch digital giving without accompanying it with the theological framing we discussed above. When the theological aspect of digital giving is ignored, it makes the entire process feel like nothing more than a technology push. It's essential to remind members that giving digitally is simply another way to participate in the act of worship and stewardship.
Another common mistake is burying giving options in places that make it difficult for people to find. Your members should have zero trouble finding numerous places to give digitally to the church.
A third mistake churches often make when implementing digital giving is over-complicating the funds your members can give to. When people have too many giving options, it can lead to them feeling overwhelmed, and they may not end up giving at all. Give your members a few different giving options, but not too many.
Make Every Moment a Giving Moment
When generosity is easy and readily available, churches grow. Not just in dollars, but in participation, momentum, and mission impact. Digital giving turns Wednesday-night conviction, Saturday-morning gratitude, and midweek prayer prompts into real support. You can capture gifts that used to evaporate between intention and Sunday.
So start where you are. Keep the call to give personal, the pathways simple, and the vision clear: every day is an opportunity to resource God’s work through your church.
VIDEO transcript
It's Wednesday night. You just left small group where you heard about how your church is helping single moms in your community. You want to do something to support this ministry of your church. But by the time Sunday rolls around, you have unintentionally forgotten about your desire to give. It's not that you don't want to help. It has just slipped your mind.
That gap between intention and action is where churches lose countless gifts and opportunities for ministry.
Digital giving closes that gap.
The truth is that digital giving is a growth engine for your church. It lets people give the moment generosity comes to mind. It could be during a midweek prayer. Maybe after a mission update on Instagram. Or when a text reminder lands at lunch.
With simple options like app giving, text-to-give, QR codes, and a secure online page, your church makes generosity available 24/7, not just during a three-minute offering slot on Sunday. The result? More first-time gifts, more consistent recurring giving, and steadier resources to plan real ministry.
In this article, we talk about why digital giving is essential for church growth, how “give-when-it-comes-to-mind” moments fuel generosity, and the practical steps to bring it to your congregation.
Why Digital Giving Is Now Essential (Not Optional)
Digital giving is no longer a nice-to-have add-on. It's essential for the success of your church ministry.
People's habits have changed drastically over the past 15 years. Almost everything is done on mobile devices, from booking trips to signing up for events to giving to churches.
What's more, some people have adopted a somewhat hybrid approach to church attendance. When they can, they come in person. However, when they're unable to attend the Sunday gathering, they often watch the service online.
If you want your church to grow, you must remove as much friction from the giving process as possible. That means making it easy for people to give first-time gifts, as well as set up recurring donations as they become more integrated in the church.
The reality is that digital giving for churches helps people become better stewards of their finances. It doesn't replace spiritual formation, but enhances it.
The Psychology of “Give When It Comes to Mind” vs. Sunday-Only
Every person experiences sparks of generosity when they want to give to the church. It happens during small group meetings, when updates from missionaries come in, or even when they get a text about a local need.
The problem is that friction kills follow-through. Remembering to give when you’re not at church can be a barrier for many. People forget. The spark fades. The sense of urgency subsides.
To capture those sparks of generosity, an immediate giving solution is needed.
Enter digital giving tools for the win. Digital giving tools allow for quick and easy donations with just a few clicks on a smartphone or computer. They eliminate the need for physical checks or cash, making it simpler for people to give in the moment without any barriers.
So when a small group leader talks about the church's mission fund, people can give to it immediately. Or, when the church sends out a text about a local need, people can easily donate on the spot.
Core Benefits of Digital Giving for Church Growth
We've hinted at some of the key benefits of digital giving, but let's explore them more fully.
24/7, Multi-Channel Access Beyond the Plate
One of, if not the, biggest benefit of offering your church members digital giving options is that they can give anywhere at any time. This dramatically increases the convenience factor for your members and removes barriers to giving. People can give to your church the moment God puts it on their hearts.
On top of this, your church members are able to give in a way that is simplest for them. Some will give online. Some will give through an app. And some will choose to donate by text message.
The outcome is a surge of giving from your members. Giving is easier, the church is able to accept gifts at any time, and cash flow is much steadier.
Recurring Giving Stabilizes the Budget
Recurring giving provides churches with a consistent income stream, allowing for better budgeting and planning. It smooths out seasonal giving dips and supports long-term ministry planning.
With recurring giving, church leaders can be more confident in their financial decisions, knowing that the budget is stabilized. This also reduces the stress associated with last-minute fundraising efforts or unexpected financial shortfalls.
Additionally, recurring giving allows church members to plan their donations according to their own financial situation. They can choose the frequency and amount of their donations based on what they can afford.
Offering digital giving options provides a nice on-ramp from giving a first-time gift to making recurring gifts.
Reaching the Under-Reached
Every church has members who want to be part of the mission of the church but can't always be present. Think travelers, shift workers, online congregants, etc.
Offering digital giving options gives these members the opportunity to still contribute to the mission of the church, even if they can't physically attend services. This increases participation and involvement while also allowing the church to reach a wider audience and expand its impact.
Better Data Improves Discipleship and Communication
When you have unified member profiles that include things like giving, attendance, group participation, and serving, you can strengthen your discipleship efforts and your communication.
For example, if your data shows that you have a number of regular attenders who haven't given yet, you could do a "Why We Give" sermon series. Or, if a recurring donor has a soon-expiring payment method, you can provide them with a gentle reminder to update their payment method.
On top of this, you can determine which sermons, emails, texts, or events move the generosity needle. You can also segment your data to see if certain demographics or groups are more likely to give.
This allows you to tailor your communication and discipleship efforts specifically for those individuals, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Transparency and Trust
Using digital giving tools enables you to easily provide your members with year-end statements and giving receipts. You can also let church members give to specific funds, rather than just giving to a general church fund.
By providing financial transparency, you build trust with your members. In turn, this can encourage increased giving, as people are more likely to give when they know exactly where their money is going and how it is being used within the church.
Additionally, digital giving allows you to track and report donations, making it easier for the church and its members to have a clear understanding of the financial health of the organization.
How To Encourage Digital Giving In Your Church
If you want your members to adopt digital giving tools, there are a number of steps you can take.
- Embed giving options in the header and footer of your website, as well as the "Next Steps" page for those interested in becoming members.
- If you have a mobile app, include giving options on your home screen.
- Provide your members with a text-to-give code (e.g., "GIVE") so that they can easily give to the church via SMS.
- Put QR codes for digital giving in multiple places, like the pews, lobby, printed programs, slides, etc.
- Include links to your digital giving platforms in emails sent to attendees and members.
- Encourage your members to give during specific times in your Sunday service, like missions updates, benevolence, or student ministry updates.
Essentially, you want to give your members as many reminders as possible to embrace digital giving.
Theological Framing Of Digital Giving
The churches that have the most success with digital giving root the entire process in God's word.
It's essential to remind your church members that all giving, including digital giving, is an act of worship, trust, and participation in God's mission. Digital giving is an opportunity to teach and remind members that everything we have belongs to God, and giving is a way to show our gratitude for His provision.
It's also important to emphasize that digital giving is a servant of discipleship. It doesn't replace the spiritual discipline of giving; it removes barriers that hinder members from practicing that discipline.
It also allows your members to better steward the resources God has given them, making it easier for them to give consistently and support the church's needs.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
There are a number of common mistakes that churches make when trying to implement digital giving.
The first mistake is to launch digital giving without accompanying it with the theological framing we discussed above. When the theological aspect of digital giving is ignored, it makes the entire process feel like nothing more than a technology push. It's essential to remind members that giving digitally is simply another way to participate in the act of worship and stewardship.
Another common mistake is burying giving options in places that make it difficult for people to find. Your members should have zero trouble finding numerous places to give digitally to the church.
A third mistake churches often make when implementing digital giving is over-complicating the funds your members can give to. When people have too many giving options, it can lead to them feeling overwhelmed, and they may not end up giving at all. Give your members a few different giving options, but not too many.
Make Every Moment a Giving Moment
When generosity is easy and readily available, churches grow. Not just in dollars, but in participation, momentum, and mission impact. Digital giving turns Wednesday-night conviction, Saturday-morning gratitude, and midweek prayer prompts into real support. You can capture gifts that used to evaporate between intention and Sunday.
So start where you are. Keep the call to give personal, the pathways simple, and the vision clear: every day is an opportunity to resource God’s work through your church.
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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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