December 3,2006

• Bringing the Collection Plate Into the 21^st Century

  Further proving that we truly are becoming a cashless society, a large Georgia church has recently started taking credit cards as a form of donation.
  
  Stevens Creek Community Church is an evangelical congregation of some 1,100 based out of Augusta. In August, three "Giving Kiosks" consisting of a computer screen, card reader, and PIN pad atop a black pedestal were installed, giving cash-short worshippers a new way to give back. Those making donations can earmark the gift as a regular tithe, or set aside funds for building or missionary donations. They receive e-mail confirmation of their purchase.

  Pastor Marty Baker dreamed up the Giving Kiosks with the help of a computer designer in the congregation when he noticed that fewer and fewer churchgoers were carrying cash. He designed and licensed the pedestals, and now seven other Southern Protestant churches have them. As for the success of the Kiosks, the three at Stevens Creek are estimated to take in about $240,000 by the end of the year, or 15% of the church's total donations.
  
  
  
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