I am now working for a Mobile Phone company that offers specialty phones for companies.
One of thier options is a cel-phone that also acts as a credit card machine. It includes a card swiper that allows people to accept credit cards away from the office.
I thought one use of this technology would be to allow for credit cards to be taken during collection plate time. It could also be used for all fund raisers from the snack booth to the white elephant sale.
Do you good church people think announcing Credit Card options for the collection plate is tacky, or is it something that would bring in some needed extra cash to a church.
I am not suggesting an advertising blitz like "God doesn't take American Express, but NAME CHURCH HERE does." or "Eternal salvation--Priceless. For anything less, there's Master Card"
Posted by BelladonnaOrchid (Member # 188) on :
Hmmm...excellent question, Dan.
The answer: I have absolutely no idea what would be acceptable behavior for collections at a church. I suppose as a non-good-church-person I should not be attempting to answer this.
I'm very sorry-I wish I had a better answer for you. If it helps, Rick, William, and I split the costs for the supplies for each sabbat. However, generally that includes writing checks, not credit card transactions.
Hopefully someone else up posting late this evening will be able to better answer your question.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
[somewhat related tangent]
Does your company only do business in your state? What costs are involved?
If you prefer, email is fine.
[/tangent]
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Rivka, I'm falling asleep. I'll email you tomorrow.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Sounds good. No rush.
Sweet dreams! Posted by Paul Goldner (Member # 1910) on :
Seems to me a reasonable thing to do? I mean, the purpose of the collection plate is so people donate money to the church and its works. People, more and more, don't carry cash on them. If they are more comfortable paying with credit cards then trying to remember to bring cash to church, why not?
I guess, having attended a fairly modern temple as my only house of worship, I don't see whats wrong with using modern technology, as long as it doesn't interfere with the holy rites of the service.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
From a practical standpoint, likely it would be too slow for during collections. Plus the Church would lose 3% of each donation.
But, I don't think it's tacky. So feel free to use your salesman powers to work around the practical concerns. Convenience is good!
Dagonee
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
I think many if not most churches might be of the impression that there's more to the matter of the collection plate than simply satisfying the operating costs. Those same churches might question whether or not someone is truly giving of their "firstfruits" when they put donations on a credit card.
--Pop
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
I would love to have my tithes and offerings drawn directly out of my checking account so I wouldn't have to think about them any more.
But that, I think, spoils the purpose of tithes and offerings.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
I agree many churches might not want to do it. But I don't think it's so outrageous as to make it inappropriate for Dan to approach them with the idea.
Dagonee
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Um, I hope that doesn't spoil the point of tithes and offerings, 'cause that's how I do mine. Automatically out of my checking account every week, then I write checks for special offerings when I get my bonus or tax return or whatever. Or if there is a special need at church.
![[Dont Know]](graemlins/dontknow.gif)
However, generally that includes writing checks, not credit card transactions.![[Smile]](smile.gif)