How Do We Handle Member Donations If the Church Is Closed for a Period (e.g., Pandemic or Renovations)?

 When a church temporarily closes its doors, whether due to external factors like a pandemic, renovations, or other circumstances, it can create significant challenges for maintaining the flow of donations that are essential for the church’s operations, ministries, and outreach. Members may still want to contribute their tithes, offerings, and donations, but the church may not be physically accessible for the collection of funds. In this scenario, it’s important for the church leadership to proactively implement strategies to continue receiving donations and maintain financial stability.

Here are several effective strategies and practices that churches can use to handle member donations during periods when the church is closed.

1. Offer Online Giving Options

In today's digital age, online giving has become a vital tool for churches, especially during periods of physical closure. Many congregants prefer the convenience of giving from the comfort of their homes, and online platforms can help the church continue receiving donations without the need for in-person contact.

How to Set Up Online Giving:

• Choose a Giving Platform: There are many online giving platforms designed for churches, such as Tithe.ly, Pushpay, or Givelify. These platforms allow congregants to donate securely via credit/debit card, ACH transfer, or even mobile payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

• Offer Recurring Giving Options: Encourage members to set up recurring donations for tithes and offerings. This ensures steady financial support for the church even during prolonged periods of closure.

• Integrate with Website and Social Media: Make the online giving platform easy to access by embedding donation links on the church website, social media pages, and even email newsletters. This will make it easier for members to find and contribute.

Having online giving set up as a long-term solution allows members to contribute regardless of whether the church building is open.

2. Use Text-to-Give Services

Text-to-give is another popular, convenient, and secure way for congregants to donate, especially during times when the church is not meeting physically. With text-to-give services, church members can donate by simply texting a keyword to a designated phone number.

Benefits of Text-to-Give:

• Easy and Accessible: Texting is simple and can be done from anywhere, even while on the go.

• Immediate Contribution: Donations are processed quickly and securely, and members can give in response to specific needs or campaigns (such as a building fund or disaster relief efforts).

• Low-Cost Solution: Text-to-give services usually have minimal fees, making it a cost-effective method for smaller churches to implement.

By promoting text-to-give as a primary option for donations, churches can ensure that members are still able to contribute, even during times of church closure.

3. Implement Mobile Apps for Giving

Many churches are adopting mobile apps designed to help members engage with the church digitally. These apps often include a feature for secure donations, which can be used while the church building is closed.

How a Mobile App Helps:

• Centralized Church Services: A mobile app can offer various services, such as sermon streaming, event calendars, prayer requests, and online giving in one easy-to-access platform.

• Notifications and Reminders: Push notifications on the app can remind members to tithe or give towards special needs, making it easier for them to stay consistent in their giving.

• Enhanced Member Engagement: A church mobile app can increase overall engagement, making members more likely to continue supporting the church financially.

For churches already utilizing mobile apps, this can be an excellent tool for continuing donations during periods of closure.

4. Direct Mail and Envelope Giving

While online platforms and digital options are crucial, it’s important to remember that some members may still prefer to give via traditional methods, especially those who are less tech-savvy. Churches should continue to offer the option of giving by mail, using pre-addressed envelopes for donations.

Tips for Direct Mail Donations:

• Pre-stamped Envelopes: During periods of closure, churches can mail pre-stamped envelopes to members, encouraging them to mail in their donations.

• Include Clear Instructions: Provide clear, simple instructions on how to send donations by check or money order, and offer different options for contributing (e.g., tithes, special offerings, or fundraisers).

• Offer a Giving Campaign: Periodically remind members of specific financial needs (such as during renovations or for outreach projects), using mail campaigns to drive donations.

By giving members the option to donate by mail, churches can continue to receive support from all members, regardless of their access to digital tools.

5. Promote Giving During Online Services

If the church is closed due to a pandemic or renovations but continues to offer virtual services, it’s crucial to incorporate opportunities for giving into the online worship experience.

How to Incorporate Giving into Virtual Services:

• Designated Giving Times: Just like during in-person services, dedicate a portion of the online service to reminding members of the importance of tithes and offerings, and provide clear instructions on how to give online.

• Offering Links in Service Descriptions: Provide links to the giving platform in the service descriptions on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or the church website.

• Special Appeals or Campaigns: During online services, churches can launch special appeals for specific needs (e.g., a building renovation fund or local outreach project). These can be integrated into the sermon or a specific campaign to encourage members to give.

6. Encourage One-Time Donations for Special Needs

While recurring donations are important for ongoing church expenses, a church closure can create special needs or emergencies, such as maintenance costs, emergency relief, or special projects. Encourage one-time donations for these purposes by clearly communicating the needs to the congregation.

How to Encourage One-Time Donations:

• Create Targeted Campaigns: Launch campaigns during online services or via email that specifically address the needs resulting from the church closure. For example, if the church needs to fund renovations, offer a one-time donation appeal for the project.

• Offer Clear Instructions: Make it easy for members to donate by providing simple and clear instructions on where and how to give, whether through online platforms, text-to-give, or mail.

• Incentivize Giving: If appropriate, consider offering incentives like matching gifts or highlighting major contributors in church communications to encourage larger donations.

7. Set Up a Giving Day or Event

Consider organizing a virtual giving day or event where church members can come together (digitally) to contribute to a specific cause. This can be especially effective for large-scale projects or to raise emergency funds.

Ideas for Virtual Giving Events:

• Live-streamed Fundraising Events: Host a live-streamed fundraising event, such as a virtual concert, auction, or prayer event, where the congregation can donate during the live stream.

• Donation Milestones: Set a goal or target for donations and celebrate milestones as the church reaches them.

• Video Testimonials: Share testimonies from members or leaders during the event, explaining the impact of donations on the church’s mission.

A dedicated giving day provides an opportunity for members to come together in support of a common goal, even when the church building is closed.

8. Communicate Consistently with Congregation Members

Effective communication is critical during times when the church is closed. Keeping members informed about the church’s needs, updates, and how they can contribute is essential for maintaining consistent financial support.

Tips for Consistent Communication:

• Email Updates: Regularly update members via email, sharing financial needs, donation updates, and reminders to contribute.

• Social Media: Use the church’s social media platforms to keep the congregation informed about how to give, as well as updates on the church’s closure and reopening.

• Personal Communication: Pastors or church leaders should personally reach out to key members or supporters to explain the importance of continued giving during the church’s closure.

Keeping the lines of communication open ensures that members don’t feel disconnected or unsure of how they can continue supporting the church.

9. Encourage Giving During Special Times of the Year

Even if the church is closed, special events like Christmas, Easter, or the church’s anniversary provide excellent opportunities for members to give. These times of the year are often when members are most willing to contribute.

Special Times to Encourage Giving:

• Holiday Appeals: During Christmas or Easter, encourage members to donate to a special cause (e.g., Christmas outreach or end-of-year giving).

• Annual Giving Campaigns: If the church has an annual giving campaign, continue to promote it online and through direct mail to keep the momentum going.

Conclusion

When a church is closed for a period, whether due to a pandemic, renovations, or other circumstances, it is crucial to implement flexible, accessible ways for members to continue supporting the church financially. By offering online giving, text-to-give services, and encouraging regular communication, churches can ensure that their financial needs are met even without in-person services. Transparency, convenience, and continued engagement will allow the church to remain financially stable and continue its mission until the doors open again.