As Director of Stewardship and Generosity for Discipleship Ministries since 2011, one of my top priorities was to help churches transition from counting on cash and checks in the offering plate to embracing digital giving as part of the new landscape of stewardship. At times, it has felt like pushing a rock uphill, but every year, I’m more convinced it’s worth the effort.
A new report from Vanco Payments, based on giving data from 25,000 churches that use Vanco’s platform for online donations, confirms what many of us have sensed: recurring electronic giving (eGiving) is one of the most important ways churches can stabilize giving, deepen discipleship, and fuel ministry. Here’s why it’s worth leaning in now more than ever.
1. Recurring givers give more—and more consistently.
Vanco’s data shows that donors who set up recurring gifts give more than twice as much per year as those who give only occasionally. For churches with fewer than one thousand attendees, recurring donors contribute 133% more than non-recurring donors. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about creating sustainable generosity that keeps ministry strong even when attendance fluctuates.
2. Consistency is a spiritual discipline.
Faithful generosity is not measured by spontaneity but by commitment. Just as prayer and worship become habits that shape our spiritual lives, recurring giving becomes a rhythm of discipleship—a regular expression of gratitude and trust in God’s provision. When members automate their giving, they’re not delegating their faith to technology; they’re anchoring it in intention and faithfulness.
3. Online giving has become the norm.
The Vanco Index shows that average online giving volume has increased more than 20% since 2019, and that preference has held steady even after the pandemic. Most people now pay bills, shop, and even tithe digitally. Churches that continue to rely on in-person giving are missing opportunities to connect with a generation that may never have written a check and expects to give with the same ease as they live.
4. Mid-sized churches are leading the way.
Interestingly, it’s not the largest congregations that see the highest per-donor giving; it’s medium-sized churches (average weekly attendance of 200–499). Even churches with fewer than one hundred members reported recurring gift totals were more than 125% higher than those not using recurring giving. These churches combine personal relationships with digital convenience, showing that technology doesn’t have to make giving impersonal. It can, in fact, strengthen the connection between people and the mission they love.
5. Recurring eGiving helps prevent “summer slumps.”
Every finance chair is familiar with the dip that occurs when families travel in June, July, and August. Recurring eGiving helps bridge those gaps, keeping ministry fully funded year-round. Churches that actively promote recurring giving see fewer budget shortfalls and spend less time chasing pledges. That means more time for ministry and less for maintenance.
6. Encouraging recurring eGiving is pastoral work.
Helping your congregation establish recurring giving isn’t a tech initiative; it’s a pastoral one. It invites members to view giving as an integral part of their discipleship journey, rather than just a weekly transaction. As GivingUSA noted in its 2025 report, “Donors who connect their giving to purpose and mission are more likely to give regularly and joyfully.” Pastors who teach about recurring giving aren’t talking about money; they’re teaching faithfulness in action.
Recurring eGiving isn’t just about keeping up with technology; it’s about keeping faith with the mission God has entrusted to us. The church’s calling has always been to help people form habits that align their hearts with God’s purposes. When we help people give regularly—faithfully, prayerfully, and digitally—we’re helping them grow as disciples.
So, take the step. Talk about it. Teach it. Make recurring eGiving part of your stewardship culture this year. It’s worth the effort—because when giving becomes a rhythm of faith, generosity becomes a way of life.
This content was created by our staff with the support of AI tools.
United Methodist Church Giving is about people working together to accomplish something bigger than themselves. In so doing, we effect change around the world, all in the name of Jesus Christ.
