Churches seem to be getting with the times when it comes to collecting tithes. Some have modernized by accepting tithes through Google Pay and Apple Pay, using card readers replacing the traditional passing of the collection plate.
Platforms like Tithely and Online Giving provide church members with convenient, secure options to contribute using their Apple devices — whether they’re donating online or giving in person during services.
A recent clip going viral, as of April 5, shows an undisclosed church implementing the mobile tithes program.
Although the church featured in the video appeared to be predominantly white, the clip sparked strong reactions from Black Twitter. Many users took issue with the public nature of the card reader being passed around, arguing that there should still be discreet options for giving without putting congregants on the spot.
Some may argue that transitioning to a cashless system could present difficulties for churches, given that about 34 percent of Americans report always carrying cash, according to Deposit Accounts.
However, this figure varies by gender: 39 percent of men carry cash, while only 29 percent of women do the same.
On the other hand, about 30 percent of Americans say they don’t carry any cash at all, according to Clover.
For those who do carry cash, 73 percent typically have $50 or less, with fewer than 8 percent carrying $100 or more.
Mashable reported in March 2018 that the Church of England, a Protestant church in the U.K., has already made the jump to contactless tithe donations.
The tech publication reported at the time that about 16,000 churches, cathedrals, and religious sites in the U.K. accept contactless donations like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
America might have been late to the digital trend but may soon be the leader in contactless tithing, with Ministry Brands’ 2025 State of Church Giving Report stating between 20 percent and 33 percent of churches in the U.S. have adopted digital wallet options for donations.
