If you want to maximize participation in electronic giving, a seat back (or pew pocket) card is an essential tool for your church. These laminated cards should be double-sided and fit in the small pocket in the back of each seat or pew. The idea is for people who participate in electronic giving to place the cards in the offering plate during the offering, then the cards can be pulled out and placed back in the pocket for services the next weekend. Here are seven reasons why the use of these cards is essential:

1. Provides a way for people to participate in worship through the offering when they aren’t using cash or check to make their gift. This is no less important than participation in the music, prayers, reading of Scripture, taking sermon notes or receiving Communion.

2. Helps parents be intentional in the discipleship of their children as they participate in the offering. If you’re going to teach your children the importance and blessing of tithing, you should plan to model it for them!

3. Is there any worse way to end a great worship service than with empty offering plates or buckets? In churches where I am a guest, mostly I’m wondering why they even bother passing them.

4. Great visual aid for the pastor as they refer to giving options before the offering and then place theirs in the plate or bucket as it begins to be passed.

5. Great visual aid for a family who is sharing a stewardship testimony that includes how electronic giving has helped their family prioritize this area of discipleship by having the tithe drafted from their checking account each week or month.

6. Using the QR code on the back is an easy way for someone to participate with a spontaneous gift when the Holy Spirit prompts them.

7. The QR code is also a great tool to assist an individual in setting up recurring gifts, which are a foundational strength of your electronic giving initiative.

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This post was first published on the Horizons Stewardship blog.