Offerings of plastic could be the next big thing for churchgoers, if local churches follow trends developing in our neighbouring province.

Some churches in Edmonton and Calgary have installed debit or ATM machines in church lobbies, helping donations by giving parishioners a cash source or direct deposit options.

Some local churches do receive donations via electronic banking, but none of them appear to have embraced the AMT approach as of yet.

Major Don Law of The Salvation Army said some members like to make online direct deposits to the church when they are away, and a few have arranged regular pre-authorized payments.

Law said he isn’t against the idea of on site electronic deposits, but it isn’t something the church has looked at.

“(What’s) important as part of your giving is you making sure that the Lord is honoured in that,” Law said.

“When it just comes out (of your account) . . .  you don’t have the pain of seeing it go.”

First Free Methodist Church associate pastor Chad Vankoughnett said electronic banking at churches would be a natural progression of automated banking and charitable giving - but not for his church.

“It just seems a little beyond us,” he said. “The machines are relatively expensive and I don’t think it would make that much of a difference in our weekly offering.”

That being said, he didn’t object to the idea.

Rev. Denise Doerksen at St. Aidan Anglican Church said ATMs have a place in corner stores, not churches, which should be a refuge from the business world.

She added that an ATM could deter newcomers who would think the church is more interested in their money.

By Suzanne Boyer
Reprinted with permission from The Times Herald, Moose Jaw