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]

Wow that's new

[Crash2]

It's a strange concept to me. It's hard for me to imagine an ATM in my church.

[RAWRstephishere]

I think that would be cool.

-"Oh I just happened to leave my money at home.."
-"Just use the ATM"
-"Damnit. Next week Ill have to leave my credit cards too."

[xKatt]

The money spent on the ATM probably will cost more than the money earned by the couple dollars churchgoers leave at home.

[jesusisthebestth...]

that sickens me...and i love Jesus...and i enjoy church. if my church ever put an atm inside of it, i'd have 2 find another church home

[*alovesopure*]

^ If you like the church you attend, why would you leave because of a silly ATM?

It isn't like they are trying to MAKE people give, they are just giving people more options if they want to tithe.

Anyway, It is still a little strange, I suppose, but I wouldn't leave my church because of it.

[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.

[DarkImpressions]

I love church and God, But I must say some of the most hypocritical people are the main ones who go to church, And Im not talking about everyone so please don't get offended. I mean I understand church bills need to be paid, And the church needs to be kept up.
But I dont think it should be used to pay the preachers damn car note.

[Peanups]

Good idea, but it sounds like an excuse to be lazy.

Tithes go to help keep the Church up. It pays the pastor, janitor, whatever, and to maintain the building and to help set up misionary trips and trips to shelters. Atleast that is what I would imagine.

[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.

[HakunaMatata]

It isn't like they are trying to MAKE people give, they are just giving people more options if they want to tithe.

'Sactly. I'm for it. Shooot, ATMs are the most convenient things ever. And I know some people who use the excuse that they never have cash with them to give at chruch. Well now....

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.

Well it's not really the priests's car, is it? I know with the Catholic Church, the priest lives in the church's house, uses the church's car, etc. And the car 99% of the time is used for church purposes.

[LovableGullible]

Well it's not really the priests's car, is it? I know with the Catholic Church, the priest lives in the church's house, uses the church's car, etc. And the car 99% of the time is used for church purposes.

I know that. I meant like a pastor

[*Michelle*]

I think that would be cool.

-"Oh I just happened to leave my money at home.."
-"Just use the ATM"
-"Damnit. Next week Ill have to leave my credit cards too."

Yuuuuup. That's what I'd do.

Good thing I don't go to church.

[Simba]

Sounds a little desperate for donations.

[EddieV]

You'd only be able to pull out $10's and $20's honestly imo, that's a lil too much. That's a way for the church getting bigger bills.

[jammylise]

That's bullshit. My dad used to be a pastor, and he became extremely CORRUPT. I hate when I see pastors driving around in Bentley's and stretch limos. WTF? Use that money to help the poor and help the church.

I remember church money being used to buy one of my pastors a car...and I was so disgusted. Messed up.

I have seen people bowing at pastors, and kneeling down in front of them and basically worshiping them. What is up with these people? Automatic Tithing Machine? What the hell is that crap. They just want more money.

I can't believe the church members went along with this...I would raise hell. Give what you can freaking give.

Word man.

[Simba]

The Pope's got money in the bank.

[*Steven*]

Something that hasn't been mentioned:

The fact that it records it, you can use that as a tax deduction. You can't go saying that I gave the church a 20 every week for an entire year. You can show a receipt.

I don't like the idea though. It's like, wtf we aren't happy with the amount you're giving us right now, so give us more, and here's an ATM you can give it through.

As Michelle said, good thing I don't go to church.

[HakunaMatata]

Something that hasn't been mentioned:

The fact that it records it, you can use that as a tax deduction. You can't go saying that I gave the church a 20 every week for an entire year. You can show a receipt.

I think for must churches [at least, most churches around here], if you're a regular parishoner the church does record every donation from you ever week through a special envelope they give you.

And honestly, I've never seen a priest in a Bentley. Every car my church has is donated, so they're like super old vans. The only way the priests are "rich" are when they visit families, because we push food in their face like craaaaaaaaaazy.

And I guess the ATM is only for churches that are still um....humble, I guess? But if it were installed at my church, people would feel more obligated to give, which would be nice, because you're supposed to give 10% of your income, but I see entire families give a couple bucks a week.

[AThorpedo]

Wow, what better way to guilt trip people into giving more money to the church than an ATM.

And what is this talk of embarassment of not having money on you when the collection plate is passed around? It seems like if you were that dedicated to giving to the church, you could remember to bring in the same dollar amount every week.

People are dependent on credit cards enough as it is. This just helps reinforce that.

Do not want.

[*Sandraaa*]

ROFL! The pastor is a crook!

[bat19]

Religion is not about religion anymore. True religion died off long ago. The only ones following real religion are the Amish, or the Mormons, or all those crazy fuckers bombing our buildings and hacking off heads in the name of their religion. It's a sick, cruel way of life, but that is what religion is. Religion is violence and brutality. Maybe once, now it's about money.