Time Magazine has an interesting article today on the increasing prevalence of ATMs in churches, allowing their non-cash-carrying congregations to offer from credit or debit cards:
"[I]n 2007, the IRS will demand documentation for charitable contributions under $250. Once, all one needed was a diary entry to vouch for such donations.... [A]s a result of the new IRS rule, credit card donations and tithing are likely to increase too because such electronic fund transfers leave a paper trail.
The ... kiosks were [created by] Dr. Marty Baker, pastor of Stevens Creek Community Church in Augusta, Georgia.... [He notes] that total income from contributions has increased 18% since the first kiosk was installed in 2005. Coins and paper money now account for less than 5% of that total."
It is--on one hand--reassuring that the church is moving to adapt to the modern macro-economic financial situation. Aside from this, questions remain: will this inspire Christians to give back to God and their community, or will a church kiosk only bring further cynicism by outsiders and parishioners alike towards the the concept of tithing?
While it is one of our most important duties to offer our given blessings back to God, the process really is two-fold. Historically, the church was the bulwark of community support--government has replaced much of this foundation. Perhaps due to an increasingly secularized world or simply the governmental intervention precedent set with the New Deal, the fact remains that the church has been supplanted.
Unfortunately for many, the idea of the church having a real hand in community affairs frightens many; it invokes the memories of church power after Roman decline (cemented until early modern society). Even more unfortunate is that we often forget that some decades ago the church in the USA usually was the epitome of community support.
Nonetheless, in order for the church to adapt, there must be re-focusing throughout, not simply on monetary intake methods. Not only could--or should--tithing meet the financial methods of today's society, but there must also be a renewed promotion of the church's given role via outreach/serving/evangelizing efforts. While tithing ease-of-use technology may bring about additional resources, the true proverbial fishing lesson will be taught in the outreach effort itself.
"[I]n 2007, the IRS will demand documentation for charitable contributions under $250. Once, all one needed was a diary entry to vouch for such donations.... [A]s a result of the new IRS rule, credit card donations and tithing are likely to increase too because such electronic fund transfers leave a paper trail.
The ... kiosks were [created by] Dr. Marty Baker, pastor of Stevens Creek Community Church in Augusta, Georgia.... [He notes] that total income from contributions has increased 18% since the first kiosk was installed in 2005. Coins and paper money now account for less than 5% of that total."
It is--on one hand--reassuring that the church is moving to adapt to the modern macro-economic financial situation. Aside from this, questions remain: will this inspire Christians to give back to God and their community, or will a church kiosk only bring further cynicism by outsiders and parishioners alike towards the the concept of tithing?
While it is one of our most important duties to offer our given blessings back to God, the process really is two-fold. Historically, the church was the bulwark of community support--government has replaced much of this foundation. Perhaps due to an increasingly secularized world or simply the governmental intervention precedent set with the New Deal, the fact remains that the church has been supplanted.
Unfortunately for many, the idea of the church having a real hand in community affairs frightens many; it invokes the memories of church power after Roman decline (cemented until early modern society). Even more unfortunate is that we often forget that some decades ago the church in the USA usually was the epitome of community support.
Nonetheless, in order for the church to adapt, there must be re-focusing throughout, not simply on monetary intake methods. Not only could--or should--tithing meet the financial methods of today's society, but there must also be a renewed promotion of the church's given role via outreach/serving/evangelizing efforts. While tithing ease-of-use technology may bring about additional resources, the true proverbial fishing lesson will be taught in the outreach effort itself.
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Source: Time Magazine [Rita Healy/Denver]
Source: Time Magazine [Rita Healy/Denver]
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