A progressive church is sometimes narrowly conceived of as the radically modernized and modernizing church. There is pressure to adopt new trends without question or deep theological reflection. Large congregations and mega-churches in cities and rural town centers have to grapple with this challenge everyday. But just how far should the church go in adopting new trends?
That is the question regarding the growing trend in the US of tithing with credit cards. This issue raises some moral questions that so far has not receiving the kind of attention it should. It would appear that supporters within the church, pastors included, are so enthralled with ‘convenience,’ they have forgotten about moral values in giving .
Keeping Up With The Plastic Generation
The pundits forecast that passing the offering bag or plate will soon be a thing of the past. Societal trends show this to be a fair statement. Most persons do not carry cash anymore. So it makes sense for churches to offer persons the facility to make donations via an electronic banking solution or with a check.
Some churches are already using an ATM-like machine called a Giving Kiosk. It is the brainchild of a pastor. Rev. Marty Baker designed and installed the first giving kiosk in his church’s lobby 3 years ago. He soon turned the idea into his own profit-making company called Secure Give. At the end of 2007, there are reports of over 40 giving centers in churches across the US.
These kiosks grace the lobby of churches such as the Lutherans, Baptists, Covenant Community. Obviously the idea is catching on, and not just among the ‘newer’ type of churches. This innovative breakthrough is an excellent idea. It offers an eBanking solution to church members where persons are able to donate their tithes and offerings from their debit or credit card.
The churches that use the giving kiosk have all reported an increase in their collection. That is a powerful drawing card. Every pastor should get one. But hold on! Before you run out to order one for your church, or pressure your Pastor or Stewardship committee to get one, answer this question.
When is it Ok to get a loan to pay your tithe?
Borrowing To Give
I won’t into the controversy surrounding tithing now. I’ll mention though, that one of the reasons persons give for not tithing is debt and too many bills to pay. I fail to see the real benefit then in offering members the option to tithe with a credit card. I must be dumb or something. But isn’t that racking up debt on top of debt?
A Debit Card which is linked to a savings or checking account, presupposes the existence of funds in a bank account. So a debit card I can understand. But a credit facility means money you do not have but have access to, as a loan. And its a loan on which you have to pay interest at that.
Should the church encourage their members to tithe money they do not have? And if we say no, then why do we accept that money?
Image courtesy of Freefoto
Reap Rewards When You Borrow To Give
Some who use credit cards do not do so because they have no money. They do so for the benefits. They do not want to give their money but prefer instead to take advantage of the credit facility and pay back later.
But this pastor takes the cake….
One pastor claimed that his members who use their credit card do so happily. They (his members) receive the benefits of earning rewards and they love that especially the travel rewards. Something tells me this pastor has never preached on the story of Ananias and Saphira to his congregation.
I do agree that this bit of innovation is brilliant for the convenience it offers Debit Card and Check paying members who do not carry cash around. The credit card option needs to be revisited and given more careful thought. This issue runs deep. It speaks to an American way of life constructed on living on debt. Is this what Rev. Baker means when he says the church is responding in a way that is ‘relevant to the culture’? That is like saying, accepting funds received on credit is relevant to the global culture of credit so just ‘get with it.’
What do you say?
Marvia
Credit card image courtesy of Free Foto
some people use a bank card for an account that is not accessible (for example, we get paid via paypal from overseas contracts- using our paypal card is extremely convenient)
using a tithing kiosk would have been convenient for us, not all credit card usage is actually ‘credit’- some is real money on a card. the kiosks are getting in touch with this modern generation.
although i think oyur points are very valid and i do enjoy your blog
Thanks for visiting Sarah Jane,
I’m glad that you enjoyed it
The convenience of the tithing kiosk is definitely a good idea for today. I just wonder how many persons’ debt has increased with their usage of a credit card for tithing.
Please share your insights anytime.
I really appreciated your thoughts. Our church is considering electronic giving, and I really object to offering short term loans for paying your tithes and offerings. I see this blog is from 2008. Any new thoughts on the topic, or are you changing your tune from what you wrote on this blog?
Hello Ruth,
Thank you for visiting.
I have not changed my position since I last wrote this article. I support electronic giving where a Debit card not a Credit card is used. A debit card links to your savings account where you need to have funds (although I’m aware that many US Debit cards also come with an overdraft facility).
The principle of tithing allows for us to be flexible and creative in giving the best we can. I am not yet convinced by any of the arguments I’ve seen/heard for ‘giving’ money you borrowed. If you have to take a loan/use credit to Tithe then something is wrong with your finances that needs to be sorted out. And I think that the church should be concerned about that, confront the issue and help our membership to manage debt – especially at a time like this. Not encourage members to take on more debt.
Thanks again, and I’ll look around to see if there is anything new that I’ve missed in the past couple months. [This is an ongoing discussion in my congregation as well]
Blessings!
Marvia
This is should not be an issue for the church (body of christ). If we would just follow the instructions of tithing. No matter how easy the comfort has become, no matter how innovated we become, no matter how we slice it. The bottom line is this. Its wrong, and we know it. We have adopted to many carnal minded things in our churches. The lastest this, this lastest that. Come on God has greater ways of receiving our gifts. He is not the author of confusion neither the malipulator of the town……. What I’m saying is this. Be careful how we use these new modern day techniques to secure finances in our churches. The word credit means: The ability to obtain goods or services before payment, based on the trust that payment will be made in the future…….now you figure out the rest…….