Tap to Give: NFC in Action at Church

NFC “Tap Technology” is one of the hottest trends in church communications and giving today. NFC, or Near Field Communication, is the same wireless technology behind Apple Pay or contactless credit cards. A quick tap of a phone on an NFC tag instantly opens a webpage—no special app required—and works on nearly all modern smartphones.

While many providers market NFC as a proprietary feature, it’s actually open and flexible. That’s exactly how Carolina Forest Community Church (CFCC) in Myrtle Beach used it—with help from OnlineGiving.org.

About Carolina Forest Community Church

Founded in 1997, Carolina Forest Community Church is a vibrant non-denominational church located on a 25-acre campus in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. With 1,100 weekly attendees and a thriving Sports Ministry, it’s known for its warm hospitality, grace-centered messaging, dynamic worship, and deep community engagement.

The Communication Challenge

“We don’t know what’s going on.” That was a common refrain at CFCC as they wrestled with how to keep their congregation informed without printed bulletins.

Without a traditional bulletin, it became difficult to dynamically promote giving, events, sermon notes, or weekly content. The staff needed a simple, tech-forward solution that didn’t require additional effort from members or volunteers.

“I’ve been on staff here at CFCC for over 20 years... Adding the NFC tap tags has honestly been one of the easiest and most helpful things we’ve done.”
— Kerry Lembcke, Executive Director

Discovering NFC Through OnlineGiving.org

At first, CFCC assumed NFC was only available through proprietary systems. But with guidance from OnlineGiving.org, they learned NFC was an open, flexible standard—and could be used alongside their existing platform without being locked into a vendor.

OnlineGiving.org helped the team identify the right type of high-quality tags and supported them through the planning and launch process. From tag design and material selection to technical setup and content strategy, the process was streamlined and fully customized to the church’s needs.

Deployment & Launch

In June 2025, CFCC launched their tap-to-engage initiative by mounting NFC tags on every other chair in their 700-seat auditorium. One week before launch, they announced it during a family service (~300 attendees), and on launch Sunday they played a short explainer video featuring their Community Pastor showing how the tap feature worked.

“It’s super easy—just a quick tap with your phone and everything you need is there. It’s been a huge help.”
— Haley Critelli, Media Coordinator

The tags were programmed to a redirectable URL: carolinaforest.org/tap. At launch, it pointed to a Linktree page with quick access to the weekly bulletin, connection card, giving page, capital campaign (“For the Kingdom”), and other resources.

To ensure long-term durability, CFCC opted to mount the tags with screws through pre-added holes—critical since their chairs are frequently stacked. Adhesive wouldn’t hold up in their environment, and the screw-mounted solution looks clean and has held up well to regular use.

Pro tip: Some Android users may need to manually enable NFC in their phone settings. iPhones typically have it enabled by default.

Results & Future Vision

“Having NFC tags lets you promote anything—from events to campaigns—so simply even those allergic to tech can use it.”
— Tyler Edwards, Teaching Pastor

The team is already planning future upgrades, including NFC-enabled bracelets for capital campaign donors. Members would be able to tap their bracelet to open a live pledge form, contribute, or check campaign updates. They’re also considering deep-linking the tags to specific pages within the OnlineGiving.org mobile app for more advanced user flows.

“Now it’s just tap and give. It’s helped our members who don’t feel tech-savvy take the leap.”
— Kerry Lembcke

“It’s encouraging to see people take next steps in their faith—this little tag helps make that happen.”
— John Ferreira, Community Pastor

QR Code vs NFC: Meeting Every Generation Where They Are

NFC is powerful, but it’s not the only “tap‑or‑scan” tool in your toolbox. QR codes have become second nature for nearly every age group—from ordering at restaurants to checking in at airports—because modern phone cameras automatically detect them. That means a quick point‑and‑shoot delivers the same instant access to giving pages, event sign‑ups, or sermon notes.

In fact, recent studies show virtually 100 % of smartphone owners know how to scan a QR code. For guests who may have NFC turned off—or for older devices that lack NFC—QR codes provide a friction‑free fallback.

When to Lean on QR Codes

• Printed Materials & Signage — Bulletin boards, lobby posters, or mailed postcards can’t embed NFC, but a QR code bridges the gap from paper to mobile.
• Outdoor Environments — Sunlight glare or distance can make tapping tricky, while a large QR code is easy to scan from a few feet away.
• First‑Time Guests — Scanning feels familiar and requires no explanation, making it a safe on‑ramp for visitors.

Bottom line: QR codes are every bit as effective as NFC—sometimes even more so—because the habit is already baked into daily phone use.

The Best of Both Worlds: Dual-Mode Tags

Many forward-thinking churches now order NFC tags with a QR code printed on the front. That way, people can either tap or scan—whichever feels more natural in the moment. It’s a small upgrade that dramatically widens accessibility and future‑proofs your engagement strategy.

Not sure which tag style or size fits your context? We’ll guide you through design options, dual‑mode setups, and best installation practices—so you get it right the first time.

Ready to explore NFC, QR, or dual-mode tags for your ministry?