Credit Card Debt Management

We’ve talked about charitable giving with the credit card. It is becoming much more popular for churches to jump on board the e-giving train as well. Congregation members see the value in collecting points while doing good. In some cases, they may simply have no cash or check on hand and will use their debit card as an alternative. Here’s hoping this doesn’t turn into a guilt-driven debt-enabling opportunity for irresponsible spenders. At any rate, church leaders are viewing the innovative payment options as a direct line to reach that group of consumers known as “Generation Plastic” - and they’re right.

Giving has increased at the many churches that have implemented the new technology. In the Dallas area, that amounts to 55 percent of 200 churches polled by the Dallas Morning News. Dr. Marty Baker, the Georgia pastor who is marketing the SecureGive electronic donation kiosk, said his church has seen a 20 percent increase in first-time givers after installing the machine in the church building.

MyChurchDonations.com, which some may consider archaic in its approach, offers churches Electronic Donation Payment Authorization forms to distribute to congregation members. The company’s web site enables church treasurers to withdraw the specified amount from parishioners’ bank accounts electronically. The site also offers this responsible advice:

“Make sure the treasurer pays attention to the credit card donations and watches for possible misuse by those who have trouble managing their finances. Responsible stewardship is not just about giving money, and a tactful educational intervention by the Pastor could be very helpful to the person.”

The church will need enough participation to make the fees worthwhile, but participation shouldn’t be a real problem. As church leadership is turned over to younger, more forward-thinking generations, you can probably expect to see these in about every church of considerable size within the next few years.