Tithe Online
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 11:09 pm
I don't know if this has been suggested before and discussed. I tried searching, but didn't come up with anything.
I'm sure that tithe is probably a very complex process behind the scenes, after I hand my little envelope to the bishopric. That said, I can see how making the option available online through lds.org could simplify some parts of the process.
For me, on my end, it saves me a trip to make a money order (I don't have a bank account), and the return trip after I realize I sealed my envelope without putting said money order in with my statement. Being able to pay online would make tithe paying easier as I could pay before life nickles and dimes away my best intentions.
On the church's end, the transaction is already digital, and with some scripting, already added to the correct records, and ledgers to reduce some load on the ward clerk. Tithe payments could be linked to user's web accounts so they could keep better track of tithe paid, so at the end of the year, when the bishop asks if you're a full-tithe payer, you don't have to wonder whether you might have missed a month or 2.
There is probably a lot of work involved in creating something like this, and to be honest, I have no idea how much. But if I were to have just one wish for lds.org, being able to pay my tithe (and fast offering!) online would be it.
I'm sure that tithe is probably a very complex process behind the scenes, after I hand my little envelope to the bishopric. That said, I can see how making the option available online through lds.org could simplify some parts of the process.
For me, on my end, it saves me a trip to make a money order (I don't have a bank account), and the return trip after I realize I sealed my envelope without putting said money order in with my statement. Being able to pay online would make tithe paying easier as I could pay before life nickles and dimes away my best intentions.
On the church's end, the transaction is already digital, and with some scripting, already added to the correct records, and ledgers to reduce some load on the ward clerk. Tithe payments could be linked to user's web accounts so they could keep better track of tithe paid, so at the end of the year, when the bishop asks if you're a full-tithe payer, you don't have to wonder whether you might have missed a month or 2.
There is probably a lot of work involved in creating something like this, and to be honest, I have no idea how much. But if I were to have just one wish for lds.org, being able to pay my tithe (and fast offering!) online would be it.