Technology is rapidly changing. People are using this advanced technology to make things easier and quicker. As an example, people are no longer using cash or check and instead are starting to make the majority of their purchases with debit or credit cards. Many religious organization patrons follow this same approach. People are more accustomed to making purchases or payments by using their ATM, debit and credit cards and they enjoy the rewards that using their cards brings.

A lot of people are also more likely to carry ATM, debit and credit cards more than a checkbook or large amounts of cash. A credit card is also more beneficial in special need or emergency situations compared to cash or checks. Many are also more comfortable making non-anticipated contributions on a credit or debit card than by cash or check. Purchasing with credit or debit cards also gives people the flexibility to pay for things they may not have the cash in their pocket for.

This occurs frequently at church and religious organizations. Many times people want to contribute but simply don't have the cash in their pocket to put into the collection plate. Or they may want to contribute more than what they have in cash. That's where accepting debit and credit card contributions comes in. You are making it easier for members to donate by giving them more flexible, and more access in letting them use their credit or debit card.

In churches that have started utilizing credit and debit card contributions, some experienced increased donations beyond what they had been receiving. They are also appreciating the accounting ease of credit cards. Instead of spending numerous hours opening envelopes, counting cash, and entering data, they can refocus many of those hours for volunteer work or other useful projects.

Another added benefit is that when people are signed up for donations through their debit or credit card, people commit to donating every week and are less susceptible to donating less on weeks they have less cash in their pockets. This is called 'Recurring Donations' or Automatic Donations'.

How does it work? It is a very simple process to start letting your members make donations with their debit or credit card. In order to use an "Automatic Tithing" option you will need to have an "Internet Gateway" processing option. The gateway of choice for this is DowCommerce. It has a built in credit card processing feature. There is not a setup charge for the Online Gateway, and the Credit Card processing option is included at no additional cost to churches and religious organizations.

If you have a website you can even allow your members to sign up on the internet or you can sign them up as well. When they sign up they can decide how much to contribute and how often. It will automatically come out of their credit card account.

You setup an automatic payment plan and the gateway will then generate the code that you can place on your website. From there, just direct your members to visit your site to sign up for the "Automatic Tithing" program. Their first contribution will be instant, and then it will be automatic based up on the plan they signed up for. Each week or month they will receive an automatic "receipt" email showing their transaction.

You could also have your members sign a "Recurring Donations" authorization form. You will then manually enter their information into the online system. Once they are in the system, everything will be totally automatic.

It's time to setup 'Recurring Donations'. Don't keep missing out on potential revenue when there are options that can help you.

This article was written by Todd Nelson, Marketing Director for Capital Merchant Solutions, Inc (www.holyprocessing.com). CMS has been in the merchant account business for nearly 10 years, and offers free merchant accounts to both online and retail businesses. This article may be republished as long as absolutely no changes are made, and the resource box is included. Copyright 2007 - Capital merchant Solutions, Inc. - All rights reserved.