Hello technology! Just before we were all told to “shelter at home” recently, I had been accumulating some assessment tools to help churches evaluate their ministry effectiveness. One of the questions I ran into was, “What year is it in your church?” As it turns out, that was a very pertinent question. Many churches are learning that technologically speaking, there was some ground to cover to make their practices and needs intersect in a healthy way.

During this time one of our very sharp deacons/treasurers in a growing country church contacted me to ask, “What are the best approaches to online giving?” I posted that question on FB and I wanted to take a few minutes to synthesize the answers I received and the very good input.

Use online Bill Pay. Sara said, “As a millennial (I hate to even call myself that), I use online bill pay so much that it seems to be the easiest option for me. Now is a great time for churches to push that as their first choice for tithes. There's no charge to either party in most cases and you can set it up to pay on a set schedule. I think a lot of the time members just forget more than are greedy and don't want to tithe. It takes that part away. Wouldn't it be great to get your whole congregation set up on a tithe schedule?! Here's an opportunity! The easiest way would be a social media post with the churches name and address. You could also send an email. My second choice would be PayPal because I already use it so much. An app or third party web site is great but kind of a pain. It's an added step I don't think of doing to go to the church web site, look for a link, sign up, sign in, go find my debit card ... That's a lot for generations with no attention span. A PayPal link is super easy and all my info is there already. Bam. Done.”

Here is a lot of the feedback I got about various platforms for online giving (in no certain order):

1. Lifeway Generosity - Even though Lifeway is currently offering free use for their digital giving service I have repeatedly been told that people are “getting nowhere with them” in terms of responding to inquiries:( 2. Givelify – Max Rodgers, pastor at Northern Heights Baptist Church in Cordele, GA said, “We have started using www.givelify.com. It's free and simple, three steps or less once you have initially entered your church and info. The rates are competitive 2.9% per transaction and a flat $.30 transaction fee. Since providing this option our gifts have increased. The only downfall is that you can't give a ‘check' electronically.” 3. PayPal/Square up – George Pabst (pastor/Crossroads Church/Guyton) said, “We use PayPal for online and in person electronic giving. We used square up (www.squareup.com) for in person and liked it but [they do] not [have] online website option. [It is the] same price for non-profits. I think 2.7% [with] no per item charge or monthly fee. The newest card reader can swipe or read chips.” Stripe/Church Trac - Michelle Finch, Ministry Assistant at Oak Hill Baptist Church in Millen said, “We are using Stripe (www.Stripe.com) through Church Trac. We are pleased so far. We started using Church Trac in January. It is very user friendly. 4. Securegive.com – Our friend Pastor Tim Tatum at Linden Church of God is Webster, FL is using this service. “Securegive uses four platforms: online, mobile, text and Kiosks. We are using the Online and Mobile options.” 5. EasyTithe.com – Marcus Burchfield, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Ripley, TN said, “I followed and went with Easytithe. User friendly programming in my opinion.” 6. Giving.faithlife.com – Our friend Kevin Farmer, pastor of Highlands Baptist Church in Brooksville, Florida said, “Faithlife Giving … works well with our website.” Holly Jenkins, treasurer at the Baptist Church at Ebenezer (Rincon, GA) concurred, “I analyzed several options. PayPal, EasyTithe, PushPay, [and] Faithlife. Faithlife offered everything we needed at the lowest

cost to our church. Our church size is the 100-150 range.” 7. Anedot.com – Tonya Shellnut, State Government Relations Director at Alliance Defending Freedom expressed caution about the way some platforms use information sharing and recommended Anedot specifically because they do not.

Finally in a general sense … now is a great time to embrace useful technology. Sustaining healthy stewardship practices during these times is just one aspect of this. Many churches are finding that using video meeting technology, like Zoom to sustain small group connections is vital. With the additional time that many are likely to experience during the month of April it may be helpful to examine the overall technological effectiveness of your church system at this time. I’m finding that there are some great and timely webinars available, many of them are being hosted by the Georgia Baptist Mission Board (gabaptist.org).

Coming in May...National Day of Prayer

Tuesday Pastor Video Conferencing

Info about Children’s Camp

Info about Mission Trip

COVID Updates...rescheduling, postponements, etc...

Event Trailer request form is on our website for our member churches.

First come, first serve basis. (912)564-2884 for calendar check!

On Mission Demographics: Knowing the Community and Knowing what to do about it.

Missional community info using MissionInsite and ACR data for your church, shared at your location. Find out how this can benefit your church. To schedule call Bro. Bobby @ (912)564-2884.

SUPPORT MISSIONS WITH EMPTY INKJET CARTRIDGES. THERE’S A COLLECTION BOX &

POSTPAID MAILERS AT MISSION CTR. PROCEEDS SUPPORT MISSIONS. RECYCLE!

Happy Birthday to:

Lillian Ray –4- retired

Ralph Dixon-8-Jackson

Tiffany Speir-8-North Newington

Frankie Braswell –9- MBA

David Buie –13- retired

Paul Curry-16-Green Fork

Pat Lanier –17- retired

Terry J. Joyner - 27- Retired(Mrs)

Happy Pastor Anniversary to:

Rev. Paul Moore-06-Elam Egypt

Rev. Slade Speir-13-N. Newington

Missionary’s Musings by Bobby Braswell, Jr.

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

North American Mission Board

www.anniearmstrong.com/resources/

MBA Events (i.e. Spring Strengthening, Deacon training, etc...) are to be rescheduled after this COVID-19 crisis is over.

• We urge you to BE SAFE!

• Take advantage of TECHNOLOGY! Church online!

• AVOID unnecessary gatherings/travel/shopping.

• STAY HOME whenever possible

• CHECK on FOLKS by phone, mail, computer…

• If possible, continue to TITHE by mail/draft!

• Read your BIBLE & STUDY Sunday School lessons

• PRAY CONTINUALLY! It is a mighty weapon!

The Lighthouse April 2020 MBA Monthly Newsletter

1471 Frontage Road—P.O. Box 160 Sylvania, Georgia 30467

Email: middleba@windstream.net Web: www.middlebaptistassociation.org

FB: Middle Baptist Association

Bobby Braswell, Jr., Associational Missionary Cell: (912)657-5889 — Office: (912)564-2884

Like us on

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e-mail to view/receive

the Lighthouse online!

Check online Resource Center:

Consider volunteering as an advocate. You will be trained to help ensure the essential needs and best

interests are met for a child in Georgia's foster care and child welfare system.

Visit: www.casaogeechee.org

Church News and More… Check out FaceBook on Sunday mornings. You will be able to find churches throughout the association having church services online. Click in on a service or catch several after the fact. Great way to use technology and hear the WORD!!!

Memorial Baptist Church Pastor Bill Kent is putting songs and sermons on FaceBook Live several times a week during this time of isolation. Jordan Zeigler is staying in touch with all the children and teens and giving them activities to use at home to strengthen them in the Christian Faith.

The 2020 Behold the Lamb at the Wall farm has been cancelled for this year.

Extended Truckloading for the

Children's Home April Truckloading (the

Children’s Home is closed to visitors). Items requested:

Mayonnaise, Ketchup, Canned Tuna, Canned Green Peas, Sweet & Dill Relish, Gift

Cards (Harvey's, Walmart, Dollar General, Family Dollar) Deliver to Mission Center: TBA

In the meantime, the Children’s Home could use monetary contributions: GBCH, 9420 Blackshear Hwy, Baxley, GA 31513

Or online: georgiachildren.org click on “Donate Now”

If you collected for the Emma Osteen Project for Girls...bring them along with your

truckloading items...Dates TBA

Coronavirus Resources

Webinars, Articles, Groups, Resources gabaptist.org/ Georgia Baptist Women Resources, Ideas, Links, Encouragement....during these troubled times. georgiabaptistwomen.org Stimulus Package...links to learn more…

myc3global.com/news covid.church/cares Guidestone.org

National Day of Prayer will be held on schedule! May 7th: National Observance will be broadcast! Find it @ www.nationaldayofprayer.org

on God TV & FaceBook Live (planned) You are urged to PRAY!!! Be creative within recommended guidelines. Pray for the USA!

www.middlebaptistassociation.org

Pastors invited to Tuesday Video Conference...

Every week until.... at 10:30am using Zoom. Check your email for info and password! Live sharing of ideas and concerns, what works, what doesn't, how-to, help me, more!!!