Do Your Members Even Know What a Church Giving App Is?

Mobile giving is becoming more and more popular, as are mobile payments and mobile banking. But do your members know that they can use a church giving app to make offerings to your place of worship? Are they even aware that this technology exists?

Announce Your Church Giving App

Having a church giving app can bring great benefits to your organization, but you will only realize these benefits if your members make use of the technology. As soon as you begin using the app, make it a point to announce the new option during service. Take a moment to quickly explain how the app works, and give a short demonstration of how to give. Emphasize how using the app will benefit your members, and that you are adding this option to better serve their needs.

As a reminder, continue to mention the app again in future services, particularly during offering time. Repetition is key. Drive the point home, and don’t let them forget it. Eventually, even the members who are more hesitant about using the app will give it a try.

Schedule a Demonstration

Telling your parishioners about your new church giving app is a great first step. But in order to ensure that they understand how to use the technology, you should give them some more in-depth education. This is particularly important for your older members. According to Pew Research Center:

77% of older adults own a mobile device

Only 18% of seniors feel comfortable learning how to use a smartphone or tablet on their own

77% need help from someone else to walk them through using new technology

Schedule a special meeting at your church, and let everyone know that you will be giving in-depth instruction on how to use your church giving app. Find some tech-savvy members who were able to quickly adapt to using the app, and have them help demonstrate how to make a donation.

One-on-one instruction will help your less technically advanced members get hands-on experience giving through the app, so they can continue to give without extra assistance moving forward.

Lead By Example

Your congregation looks to the church leadership for guidance. If they know a church giving app exists but do not see anyone on the staff or administrative team using it to make offerings, they will likely avoid using it themselves. But if you begin using the app regularly to give, and let your members know that your team is on board with the new option, they will begin using the church giving app, too.

When offering time comes around, pull out your phone and make a donation. The more they see you using the app, the more likely they will be to follow suit.