The ATM in the Church Lobby

[disneysteve]

As I see it, prepayment of pledges without having to actually attend church undermines why one would attend a church to begin with.

It is really no different than mailing in a check. Our temple sends out bills either monthly, quarterly or annually (whichever you select). Automatic drafts would just simplify the process, save the congregant the time and cost of writing a check and mailing it and save the temple the time and cost of printing and mailing bills. Plus it would improve cashflow for the temple. I don't see the downside.

[Gruntina]

This brings concerns to me because I can not tell if the influence is from the church thinking this is a good idea or if they feel they have to because of IRS regulations. Will the people of the general public understand that this is resulted from the IRS regulation or think that Churches are money grubbers?

I do think Churches do need to be in an ongoing process of protecting the church and images it may portray. If there was a clear sign or message on the machines that states why it was put there and keep the other options of payments, which might help? Not sure if I am feeling weirded out because it is a "new idea" or if "it feels really wrong". I am definitely against using credit cards to make tithe payments or pledge payments but not so much against bank cards that takes money out of your bank account. Using other people's money to pay pledge or tithe is clearly wrong. (Yes I do think credit card is a means of using someone else’s money until you pay them back)

[txex86]

It is really no different than mailing in a check. Our temple sends out bills either monthly, quarterly or annually (whichever you select). Automatic drafts would just simplify the process, save the congregant the time and cost of writing a check and mailing it and save the temple the time and cost of printing and mailing bills. Plus it would improve cashflow for the temple. I don't see the downside.

Perhaps there is something lost in translation regarding our perspectives. In the Christian churches I have attended and belonged to, there is an opportunity to present your offering after the sermon has been given. Since you reference a temple, I assume you are of the Jewish faith. I have never attended a temple service. So, perhaps your religion does not have an offertory custom, thus the need to bill monthy, etc.?

From my experiences with Christianity and the Episcopal faith in particular, the offertory is a special time to give your gifts to God. So, to me, having my gifts automatically drafted or charged to a credit/debit card diminishes the intended purpose of the gift and why I practice my faith at a church to begin with.

If your religion has a different set of parameters as far as gift collections go, that's great. I was merely expressing my impressions based on my own experiences with my church.

[disneysteve]

Perhaps there is something lost in translation regarding our perspectives. In the Christian churches I have attended and belonged to, there is an opportunity to present your offering after the sermon has been given. Since you reference a temple, I assume you are of the Jewish faith. I have never attended a temple service. So, perhaps your religion does not have an offertory custom, thus the need to bill monthy, etc.?

Yep, different points of view. Typically, synagogues charge dues. This can be a set amount that is the same for everyone in a similar category (singles, families, seniors) or could be based, in part, on your income. We do not collect money at our weekly services. In fact, carrying money or transacting any type of business is not permitted on the Sabbath if you are really observing things fully. Thus the need to collect pledges/dues/donations at other times.

I don't like the idea of having a machine near the sanctuary for just this reason, but I could see having one in the temple office for use during regular business hours - just not on Sabbath.