On Sunday, January 24th, 2016 the Meadow Lake Alliance church introduced a new way for people to donate money. A debit machine is now available at the back of the church for patrons to pass on their tithes and offerings.
Issues of convenience and a desire to increase revenue were cited by Associate Pastor Jeremy Zacharias as motivations behind the novel idea.
One question put to Zacharias was in terms of the theological concerns that might be raised by this new way of giving.
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Zacharias concludes that theological concerns are unwarranted.
Another concern might be that by installing a debit machine in the Church the larger community might not be able to distinguish it from a traditional business.
Zacharias points to various steps have been taken to ensure the integrity of giving with this new medium.
Local church-goer Cori Mee reflected on how this might impact her own giving patterns.
Toronto Credit Card Processing does offer the following option:
Mee comments on how the community might respond to this giving medium.
Pastor Mike Ginter from the Compass Church doesn't think his Church will be installing a debit machine in the near future, but doesn't see too much of a problem with the model offered by the Alliance church.
Pastor Jeff Froese from NorthWest Community Church had mixed feelings about the idea of a debit machine being used in a church setting.
Some random Facebook responses were also given to the question "What if you found out a church had installed a debit machine at the back for donations"? (join the discussion)
While this option of giving is new in the Meadow Lake area, it is not the first time the broader Church has grappled with this technology.
Meadow Lake Alliance church continues to invest in local and international charity work while opening their doors to the general public for various religious and non-religious events.
Meadow Lake Alliance church meets every Sunday at 10:30am and no bank card is required.
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