Mobile apps for churches. What’s all the fuss about? Does your ministry really even need to adopt this technology? Surely there is some seedy underbelly to this whole concept. It sounds too good to be true.
Do People Really Use Mobile Apps for Churches?
Having flashy new technology is all well and good, but who actually uses it? Your church still passes the offering plate, and you still see people put cash into it every Sunday. You’re probably skeptical to use something that no one else has even tried.
Well, as it turns out, quite a few people actually do use mobile apps for churches, and more people get started every day. Church members who don’t carry cash are particularly likely to make use of a giving app.
These case studies demonstrate that people will give to church using this type of technology:
In 2013, Stevens Creek Church in Augusta, GA reported that 40%-50% of the church’s income came from mobile, online, and kiosk giving. This was an increase of 15% from 2012. (Worship Facilities)
The Rock Church in San Diego, CA saw exponential electronic giving growth after making mobile giving a priority. (Christian Media Magazine)
Pastor Raymond Walker from Greater Paradise Worship Center in Baltimore, Maryland reported that mobile giving is loved by his churchgoers, and that it has outpaced all other forms of giving. (Changes Can Happen Summit)
They Must Be Expensive, Right?
Modern technology is always expensive. If someone wants you to sign up to use something brand new to the scene, it probably costs hundreds of dollars. You don’t have that kind of extra money lying around, and neither does your church.
Fortunately, though, mobile apps for churches don’t cost much at all. In fact, they are often completely free to download and use. Generally, the only cost is a low transaction fee around 2.9 or 3% of each donation. Who knew?
Do They Really Increase Giving?
Will using mobile giving apps at your church actually have an impact? Will church giving increase, or will things pretty much remain the same?
The fact of the matter is that yes, they do increase tithes and offerings. Givelify member churches, for example, generally report at least a 20-30% increase in giving. Some have even reported increases as high as 50%.
Where Does The Ugly Truth Come In?
Mobile apps for churches don’t cost an arm and a leg, and people are actually making use of the technology. Fantastic. What’s so ugly about that?
If you roll out a church giving app at your church, and tell your members to use the new giving option, you will see real results in your bank account. The facts aren’t that ugly after all. The truth is: mobile apps for churches really do work.
