ATM FOR JESUS?, ATM In Church Options

[LovableGullible]

At Georgia Church, ATM Means "Automatic Tithing Machine"

Anyone who attends church knows the embarrassment of not having cash on hand when the collection plate is being passed. If you're one of those, Pastor Marty Baker of the Stevens Creek Community Church in Augusta, Georgia, feels your pain.

That's why he has installed "giving kiosks" that allow any of the congregation's 1,100 members to make an offering via credit or debit card. The kiosks allow members to donate to specific church funds, and print out a receipt as well as send a confirmation via e-mail.

Baker debuted what he calls his "ATMs for Jesus" in early 2005, and is now marketing them to churches across the country through a firm called SecureGive. With an eye toward future trends, Baker sees the kiosks as a solution for a "post-cash society," for members who are willing to give, yet who increasingly rely on credit or debit cards in place of cash.

Baker has run into some challenges in promoting the kiosks, such as resistance from older congregation members, congregations that discourage credit card use (the machines can be set to accept only debit cards), and those who feel that not passing the collection plate takes away from the worship experience.

My opinion: I personally think it's kinda tacky. I would not go to a church that has an ATM in it. It's kind of offensive to me. I think that it just shows religion is all about the money. Plus I wouldn't want the church to be able to track what I give.

[1angel3]

People have to realize that when you pay offering that pays for the lights, running water, all the bills to keep the church running. A ATM in a church isn't a bad idea.

[LovableGullible]

People have to realize that when you pay offering that pays for the lights, running water, all the bills to keep the church running. A ATM in a church isn't a bad idea.

it mostly goes to the poor. well that's what they say anyways.

[1angel3]

it mostly goes to the poor. well that's what they say anyways.

The money goes equally, they have programs for the poor to but it goes to the bills and the youth and the pastor too.

[LovableGullible]

The money is goes equally, they have programs for the poor to but it goes to the bills and the youth and the pastor too.

i don't know about the pastor (well at least at my church). our priest doesn't get the money that's given. what we do in my church is you put your money in an envelope and put what you want that money to go to.

and i agree with DarkImpressions I'm cool with the money to keep up the church but not to make the pastor/priest use it to pay his bills on his car and etc.