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ADVERTISEMENT 2. Using the Congregation's Most Effective Giving Methods Many LCMS congregations are shifting away from the time and trouble of cash and check gifts. By giving electronically—by text, online, bank transfer, and more—members reduce overhead and make fi- nance work much, much easier for staff and volunteers. That's why we see the second milestone for many members as using the eGiving tools their congregations rely on. These tools ensure that all gifts have the maxi- mum possible impact on the church community. What's more, they make it possible for staff and volunteers to spend less time on accounting and more time making a difference. When you're ready to make weekly or occasional gifts to your congregation, be sure to inquire about what eGiving methods are available. You might be surprised to learn how much technology your church uses to make giving easy. If you discover your congregation is still reliant on paper giving, suggest that you'd be more likely to give if you could do it electronically. It's likely not to be the first time your leaders hear this, and your request can be a catalyst to reach more members in new ways. 3. Support the Congregation through Purchases and Fundraising Events This might seem like a small thing. But it's another important milestone for becoming a fully immersed member and supporter of your congregation. Whether you attend a bingo night, fall festival, holiday pageant, or another event, you can show your support by being there and making a purchase, no matter how small. Congregations hold events like these throughout the year. And if your congregation uses eGiving tools, you can easily make a purchase or contribution without the limitations of cash and checks. Many congregations use card readers like the Vanco Swipe, which plugs into any smartphone and uses a free app to process payments for all kinds of things. It feels as natural as checking out at the grocery store or coffee shop, and it provides for the congregation. The technology is incredibly easy to put into place and learn. On-site transactions are not the barrier they once were. If you help organize events, suggest using inexpensive and convenient card payments that can also work with your church man- agement software. It's an excellent idea to raise with leaders. 4. Make a Statement through Recurring Giving As we mentioned earlier, eGiving saves congregations precious time and money by simplifying financing and streamlining giving for members. But the benefit most congregations don't realize until they've adopted eGiv- ing is this: recurring giving. When congregations use eGiving tools, givers can set their gift to recur as often as you want. If you tithe ev- ery week, set it for weekly. Give every month? Schedule it as a monthly transfer. If you make an annual gift for a pledge drive, you can even preset it annually. With recurring giving, you can set your giving schedule as you need to. And even if you can't attend services because you're on vacation or unable to be there, you will take comfort in knowing that your regular gift will be made. And you don't have to do a thing. Recurring gifts also benefit the congregation in many ways. They can better forecast giving income to im- prove planning, and the staff knows that you're com- mitted, even if you couldn't make it to services. You can also support special causes if you aren't in attendance at events. Every member's giving journey is deeply personal and dependent on personal circumstances. But these mile- stones are the ones we see most often from members at congregations that use Vanco. Nobody expects a member to start using all giving tools and giving at ev- ery opportunity from the first day. We are all cognizant that it's a building process for each of us. Consider this to be a road map, not a mandate. And when you do, you and your congregation will benefit. To learn even more about how churchgoers are making use of eGiving tools, download our nationwide study on the trends featured in our Virtual Churchgoer Giving Survey here now. Get your free copy at www.vancopayments.com/virtual_survey. w Lutheran Life 23

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