TL;DR
In a world of mobile wallets and tap-to-pay, you might be surprised to learn that most churchgoers still prefer to give with cash or checks. But that’s not a problem—it’s a powerful opportunity. Lifeway Research shows that while digital giving is growing, traditional methods remain strong. To grow generosity, churches should offer a hybrid giving experience that meets people where they are—physically and digitally.
Blending Tradition and Tech: How Churches Can Thrive with Hybrid Giving
An astounding ¾ of American Protestant churches collect physical offerings at their worship services, according to Lifeway Research (2024). The study found that 64% of churches pass a plate or basket during services, with another 10% doing so at the end. The second most common method is a collection box, used by 40% of churches as people exit. 1.
Clearly, physical giving is alive and well.
But digital giving is gaining ground. A 2022 Lifeway study found that:
- 53% of churchgoers give cash
- 39% give by check
- 23% give through the church website
- Smaller percentages use apps, text, or automation 2.
The message? People want options. Traditional giving still dominates, but digital tools are growing—and churches need to be ready for both.
Why Hybrid Matters - From Check Scanning to NFC
To grow giving in 2025 and beyond, churches should embrace a hybrid giving strategy—one that blends the comfort of tradition with the convenience of modern technology.
At OnlineGiving.org, we support churches that want to offer the best of both worlds. That’s why we provide more than a dozen ways to give—from True Text Giving, and Tap to Give (NFC), and even Stock Giving. But we also make traditional giving easier to manage with one of the industry’s most user-friendly check scanning applications.
Our Check Scanning solution helps churches save time, reduce manual data entry, and get faster access to funds. One of our partners recently shared:
“OnlineGiving.org’s remote deposit system helped us save time and gain quicker access to our funds.”
Check it out here: Check Scanning: A Modern Solution for Traditional Giving
So whether your members give with envelopes, smartphones, or anything in between, our platform is built to help you serve everyone—and grow generosity with confidence.
What This Means for Your Church
Whether you lean traditional, digital, or somewhere in between, your giving strategy should meet your people where they are. That’s what a hybrid approach does—it honors preferences while preparing for the future.
One of our church partners recently shared:
“Every time I visit the OnlineGiving Admin site and look over the dashboard, I see new things. I see improvements, new features, better reporting, etc.”
Can you say the same about your current giving platform?
Next Steps
Don’t let outdated tools limit your mission. Whether you’re passing the plate, scanning checks, or tapping phones, we’re here to help you build a strategy that grows generosity.
Call us at (615) 206-4000
Email us at support@onlinegiving.org
Let’s help your church thrive—traditionally, digitally, and everywhere in between.
Checks. Tap to Give. Text Giving.
— Online Giving (@onlinegivingorg) July 24, 2025
Church giving isn’t one-size-fits-all — and it doesn’t have to be.
Hybrid giving is here to stay. Here’s how to blend tradition + tech to grow generosity:https://t.co/AXHDIMO7hR pic.twitter.com/lwlSwYd7Zs
1 https://research.lifeway.com/2023/04/25/churchgoers-are-still-tithing-more-comfortable-doing-so-outside-of-church/
2. https://research.lifeway.com/