One of the most frequently cited and widely used reasons for the rapid growth of digital giving over the past decade is the proportionate decline in checks during that time.
And the trend continues! In fact, according to one report, we are on pace to write our final check sometime in the year 2021. A mere six years away!
Nowhere is this “check-less” trend more prevalent than with Millennials, 20% of whom have never written a check in their life. There are piles and piles of statistics to back this up (like these), but – for today – I thought we’d forego stats and focus on some good, old-fashioned anecdotal evidence. (It is election season after all.)
When I was home over Christmas, the conversation shifted on several occasions to my job and to digital giving in general. Each time I did, I wished I’d had a recorder handy. So many perfect sound bites!
From my 25 year-old brother: “Bro, I think the last check I wrote was for textbooks during my last semester at Azusa [Pacific University]. I honestly haven’t even seen my checkbook since I graduated.”
From my recently married 22 year-old cousin: “We haven’t given anything [to their church] in like two months. I feel bad about it every week, but I don’t know what else to do. We never use checks, and there’s no other way for us to give!”
From my 18 year-old cousin: “A check? Nah. Why wouldn’t I just use PayPal or Venmo?”
These words came un-prompted and un-coached from the mouths of real, live, church-going Millennials! Just like the ones I’m sure you have in your congregation!
And what does that mean for your church? It means if you’re counting on cash and checks to fund 100% of your ministry, you’re in big trouble! After 2021, you might even be flat broke!
Got a few minutes? I’d love to tell you a bit more about the ways in which Mogiv is helping churches across the country transform disengaged Millennials into lifelong giving partners. Here’s me: sales@mogiv.com. Let’s find some time to talk this week!