5 reasons why the disappearance of the offering plate is so significant for churches
“Rather than analyzing the reasons for the disappearing offering plate, let’s take a look at some of the implications of this dramatic shift. There is more to it than a mere removal of a traditional element of worship service. Indeed, the change is very important.” - Thom Rainer
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Our church has seen no decline of giving
Like nearly all churches, we discontinued "passing the plate" when Covid began, and continued that practice for nearly three years. Giving did not decline. But after wrestling with the "pros" and "cons" for several months, we decided to resume passing the plate to make giving a more integral element in corporate worship. We've been doing this for about four months, and giving has increased. Is there a connection? Who knows? Our reason had nothing to do with offering totals, but everything to do with making giving a conspicuous part of worship along with praise, prayer, Bible reading and exposition. This issue forced us to think more carefully about what constitutes the elements of public worship. We also gave much thought to the "how," and our current practice adds no additional time to the length of the service.
G. N. Barkman
i know a deacon who watches who puts in and tries to deduce who is more or less 'spiritual'
I find his behavior repugnant
In a world where many people (myself included) rarely carry cash or a checkbook, the use of the offering plate seems to be something that could reasonably be discarded in a lot of areas. And as Craig notes, it reduces the likelihood that church officers or others could "monitor" giving and give people a guilt trip and such.
But that noted, the conspiratorially minded side of me wonders exactly how much I want to trust online giving. I guess if things really go south, it's all going to be shut down, but I do wonder precisely what "alternative means" we might want to have.
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.
I see both points Bert is making. I send my tithe every month using electronic pay from my bank (not automatic — I have to send this each month), and planned special gifts the same way, so except for special offerings that pop up that I didn’t know about (when my wife has to use her checkbook), I stopped using the offering plate, and when we switched to a box at the back, I didn’t use that either.
However, should online giving become a problem, due to what I am spending my money on (an “intolerant” organization), then I would be prepared to keep using cash, as long as we have that option.
Dave Barnhart
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