This Article is printed in the March 2010 edition of the Adventist Messenger.
The internet is changing the way many people do their banking, shopping, pay bills, and yes even tithing and church donations.
We are going through another “church giving” transition
I recently read that back 75 years ago approximately 95% of church offerings were given in cash and only 5% were given by check. Today, however, we are going through another “church giving” transition as more people use the Internet for their finances.
“AdventistGiving”
In 2007, the North American Division (NAD) introduced a system called, “AdventistGiving” that would allow church members to return their tithe and offerings online by using their debit or credit cards.
A quote from the Adventist Giving website says, “AdventistGiving allows you to return your tithe and give your offerings online while you do your online banking, are on a long business trip, on vacation, or even if you are unable to attend church due to an illness.”
Until recently, this system was only available for churches in the United States where I am told currently has 643 churches registered. However, the Canadian version of the NAD online giving system is now available and ready to be used for 2010.
Aldergrove Adventist Church
During the months of November and December 2009, the Aldergrove Adventist Church in the BC Conference was setup with the AdventistGiving platform as a test location for Canada.
I recently spoke to Eileen McGill, the Aldergrove Adventist Church treasurer, and asked her what she thought about this new online giving system. She said, “From a treasurers point of view, it is the best way to go. It can save you some time because you don’t have to do a bank deposit or collect tithe envelopes. It’s just easy.”
Eileen told me that during the month of December, there were 44 people who used the online giving system totaling just over $124,000.00 received.
Connie Heitsman, a church member at the Aldergrove Adventist church had this to say, “Paying on line is fast and easy and by far my favorite way to take care of returning my tithes and offerings. I am so glad we now have this option.”
I recently went onto Aldergrove’s website, registered with the online giving platform and made a donation to their church. The entire process was very quick and easy to follow.
After I completed the donation transaction with my credit card, I was shown a thank-you page and given the option to print my own confirmation showing the donation. Also, an email was sent to my address with an attached copy of the confirmation.
For those who would like to use the online giving option but still want to put something into the offering bag on Saturday morning, you can print off the confirmation and put it in. For clarification, this is only confirmation of your donation, you will still receive your official tax receipt at the end of the year.
“We are not trying to get everyone to use this system but we recognize that many people don’t use checks. It is just one more way of giving.”
I contacted John Ramsay, the treasurer for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada, and asked him what is the process for churches to be able to offer this online giving as an option to their members.
John said, “The local church treasurer can put their church name on a list (done online at the Adventistgiving.ca website) to register. The NAD requires that the Conference treasurer give their approval before the church will be allowed to be registered.”
He continued to say, “We are not trying to get everyone to use this system but we recognize that many people don’t use checks. It is just one more way of giving.”
Currently, the service is only available in English but a French version may soon be in the works for the future.
Also, only credit cards are being accepted for now. The electronic debit from bank accounts may happen in the future but is not available at this time in Canada.
In Summary, electronic giving, provides church members with an easy and flexible option to return their tithes and offerings.
If you would like more information about the AdventistGiving service you can visit the website, https://www.adventistgiving.ca or call your local conference/church treasurer.
