• Computers
• Credit card terminals
• Kiosks
• Cell phones (although this cool technology should most likely be reserved for event registrations. I don’t care how cool and hip your church is I don’t think many people are ready to “Pass the iPhone” during service).

In most cases of electronic giving the proverbial offering basket is now a page on the churches website. Members can logon and give a one-time or even recurring gift.

Electronic giving is definitely increasing in popularity. With more and more people embracing online banking, online giving has become a requested feature at many churches. And with the younger generation choosing to carry their debit card rather than cash or checks, online giving may be the only way some churches can help this generation implement the biblical values of tithing.

The iPad is the bold leader in a new category of electronic device that is starting to emerge and it is poised to change the way we interact with the web and the world. Devices like the iPad, often called “tablets,” present a unique and interesting platform in the world of donations and credit card transactions. The iPad, and tablets in general, are known for their small form factor and streamlined user experience. In light of this, here are only a few ways that iPads can benefit non-profits and ministries in the collection of donations.

The iPad or tablet could be used to allow donations to be taken anywhere a wireless internet connection or WiFi connection is available. The devices could be used in an office or other public space. Keeping one of these devices at the office would give those who visit a great way to give privately using their own debit card.
The iPad and 3G-enabled devices have the extended ability to access the internet through cellular services. This extension enables ministries and non-profits to take donations instantly anywhere they have signal, allowing the donation-taking system to move freely outside the limitations of WiFi hotspots. The 3G-enabled iPad is a perfect tool for expos, tradeshows or any other remote presentation in which you are interested in accepting donations.
Giving kiosks are becoming more popular and the iPad, in particular, would be well suited for this. Attaching the device to a wall or sturdy stand would allow any donor to approach and give securely. These stand-alone giving kiosks would be an inexpensive way to allow donors to give privately and at their own convenience.
Bluetooth credit card swipers are a great tool that can be combined with tablets to enable donations and church offerings to be taken with the swipe of a debit card. The swiper would pair with the tablet to send the encrypted account number and complete the transaction in no time at all.
Tablets like the iPad are very light and would allow churches to substitute the iPad for the collection plate during times of offering. As debit cards become more prolific, many people don’t carry cash. It does not seem farfetched to think that our donation technology should keep up with the payment technology we use every other day of the week.
As new tablet technologies like the iPad begin to surface, many innovative uses will continue to surface. Inevitably our lives are touched by technology, but it is up to us to use it in a way that is beneficial. What better use of current technology than to simplify and speed up the collection of donations? Let yourself and your non-profit spend more time putting your monetary gifts to use and less time figuring out how to collect them in the first place.

BlueFire is a company that specializes in donation services for ministries and non-profits. BlueFire can help your non-profit receive donations online, whether through the iPad or some other tablet device.

Eric Bigoness, an experienced website designer, works with many different organizations and companies and their diverse online payment needs. He has a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Masters of Divinity, giving him a unique perspective to both technology and faith.

Article Source

I always like opportunities to meet new people who seek to serve churches with technology solutions. I also had the privilege this year to travel and speak at more ChMS user groups than ever! While attending the national user group for Church Community Builder, I ran across Jax Carroll, President of Halo Merchant Services. Several of us in a group began talking about mobile computing, online giving and how these technologies are beginning to fit together. I liked Jax’s enthusiasm for providing technology solutions for ministry, specifically, in his case, when it impacted merchant accounts. The following is a recent interview I conducted with Jax, not only about the services he provides, but about why a church would want or need to get a merchant account and how he sees his mission in helping churches make the right decisions in this area!

Who is Halo Merchant Services?
Well first, Steve, I have to thank you for having me here. I’ve got great respect for you and what you are doing and the impact you are having on the Kingdom. To answer your question, the simple answer is that Halo Merchant Services provides merchant services to the Christian community. However, we are really much more than that. We are a service oriented company. At Halo we serve organizations through credit card processing solutions that are specifically geared to their needs.

Read Full Story Here

What most do not realize is that there are a lot of challenges in using SQUARE for online giving. For example, Square transaction devices are simply portable payment terminals that do not record any personal information or payment history for the costumer or organization. It simply takes the transaction as is. The problem with this is that the donor or customer does not have any way to track payment history.

Halo has developed a system that will allow transactions to be recorded so that the donor, customer and organization will be able to track payments and donations.

Though SQUARE is a great device for making sales transactions, it is not designed and suitable for online donations because this is a case of trying to find a use for technology rather than a technology solution to fit a need.

Halo Merchant Services now has the ability to swipe transactions on an iPhone, iPod or iPad. SQUARE is only available in the US for iOS and Android devices.

Though SQUARE is useful for taking payments at an event, it is not suitable for online giving or tracking payment and donation history. USB swipers on Netbooks, Android tablets, iPads or kiosks provided by Halo give you a much better solution.