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Faith Leaders 3min read

The Ugly Truth About Mobile Apps for Churches

Mobile apps for churches. What’s all the fuss about? Does your ministry even need to adopt this technology? Indeed there is some seedy underbelly to this whole concept. It sounds too good to be true.

Do People Use Mobile Apps for Churches?

Flashy new technology is all well and good, but who uses it? Your church still passes the offering plate, and you still see people put cash into it every Sunday. You’re probably skeptical about using something that no one has tried.

Well, as it turns out, quite a few people use mobile apps for churches, and more people get started daily. Church members who don’t carry cash are particularly likely to use 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 his churchgoers love mobile giving 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, nor does your church.

Fortunately, though, mobile apps for churches don’t cost much at all. They are often completely free to download and use. Generally, the only cost is a low transaction fee of around 2.9 or 3% of each donation. Who knew?

Do They Increase Giving?

Will using mobile giving apps at your church have an impact? Will church giving increase, or will things pretty much remain the same?

The fact 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 using 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 actual results in your bank account. The facts aren’t that ugly after all. The truth is: mobile apps for churches do work.

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About the Author

Allison has a passion for charitable giving and believes that small acts of kindness can make the world a better place. She uses her web content and social media expertise to guide churches and nonprofits through the mobile fundraising process.

Allison Weaver