If the Jetson’s went to church, I have a feeling it would look something like this.

Earlier this year, the United Methodist Church added an online social network to their official Web site, helping church members connect with other church members (and perhaps find romance…since it kind of looks like MySpace or Match.com). At the same time, many churches across the country have begun to upload their sermons to their church Web pages or even as podcasts on iTunes. Minus the flying cars and those vacuum-like transportation tubes, the Church is starting to look more and more like a church of the future.

Recently, the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life reported that many churches have started yet another high-tech, quick-and-easy service: electronic giving. That’s right. If you belong to a number of churches across America these days, you can give to the church via credit card. Be gone, you collection plates and clanking quarters! Today’s church allows you to swipe your card at the door and be done with that whole tithing thing.

Before I proceed, let me make it clear that this is not necessarily a brand new thing: Churches in the South began trying out the idea in 2005, purchasing “Giving Kiosks” for their sanctuaries, according to CreditCard.com. But the idea has picked up steam recently, as the IRS has started to demand receipts from churches. Of course, when you throw your donation into the collection plate as it passes, chances are you aren’t keeping track. But church-goers tend to report a specific number on their tax claims at the beginning of each year anyway. And rarely does this number match the number reported by the Church. Paper records, combined with that nifty “decline” feature (the church doesn’t have to wait for your check to bounce to find out if your account is empty), have made credit-card-giving a sound choice and a natural outgrowth for forward-thinking communities.

But now that some churches have had time to use e-giving machines and examine their advantages and disadvantages…is e-giving really a good idea? Seventh-day Adventists warn church-goers should be wary of becoming swipe-happy: they don’t want the ease of giving to lead to credit card debt for their members. Still others worry that the ease of swiping a card can cause Christians to ignore the “pain” of giving of what you have in favor of adding a tithe to their list of monthly bills. And others, like researchers at the empty tomb inc. in Champaign say most people still donate by writing a check – so is it really necessary?

Those who tout the idea note a likely increase in church budgets (as people will probably give more if it is easier for them to give). Some of the first churches to try the ATM-for-Jesus-machines claim 15 percent of the church’s total donations came from e-giving. Others say it is good to increase the options for church-goers, providing ways to move into the future. And isn’t it more important that you decided to give to the church in the first place?

What do you think?

I’m thinking church-goers ought to suggest a Netflix-type program: just drop your tithe in the mail and we’ll send you a videotape of our pastor preaching – right to your home! You’ll never have to leave the comfort of your living room or your pajamas. And you’ll never have to experience the “pain” of joining others to do some good. Hmm…

Filed under: Catholicism, Christianity, Protestantism, Religion and Ethics | No Comments »