FRequently Asked Questions
What is online giving?
Online giving is the ability to make a contribution or schedule a series of contributions using your bank account, debit or credit card at www.clcga.com.
Why would I want to give online?
Security and convenience make online transactions an increasingly popular means of contributing to the Christ Lutheran Church ministry. Plus, we enjoy administrative savings in time and accuracy. You also can take advantage of the discipline that recurring donations can provide for your giving.
Convenience comes from not worrying about forgetting to write a check or leaving it laying on the kitchen counter.
How do I get started giving online?
Select Online Giving at our church website: www.clcga.org
• Select Secure Online Giving. In this area you can:
• Make a new donation
• Setup a recurring contribution (and manage existing recurring donations)
• Set up your Account (Email Address) and Password
• View your Giving History
What is a recurring contribution schedule?
This is similar to a subscription. You can choose how often you would like an automatic contribution to be made—weekly or monthly—and the start date.
Why do I have to set up an account and password?
Setting up an account and password allows you to enter a highly secure environment for your transaction. Once your account and password are established, all your personal information is safe and protected. (None of your info is stored at CLC).
Are there any hidden charges or fees to give online?
Nope. You select the dollar amount for your gift. That is the dollar amount that will be recognized as your contribution. No costs or fees.
Can I use my debit card or credit card for my contribution?
Yes, we accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express.
Can I use an e-check check for my contribution?
Yes! In fact it’s the best way to give so that the church can avoid paying a 2.5% transaction fee that credit and debit cards charge. Many of our online givers have the deduction taken from their checking account.
Is online giving Safe?
Yes! In many ways giving online is safer and more secure than giving via cash or check. By the time we identify your gift by the counter, enter the amount under your name, make the bank deposit and then retype the information into our Donation System, Online Donations makes much more sense.
Can I designate my gift to a particular ministry or fund?
Yes. Every dollar given to the Christ Lutheran Church goes to the ministry fund you specify. When you set up your donation, you select the amount for each specific fund. Examples include the General Fund, Building Fund, Mortgage Reduction, Food Pantry, Adult Forum, Pastor’s Discretionary, Nurture, Youth, VBS, Staff Gifts, etc.
How do I know when my contribution gets processed?
Each donation is confirmed to you by email and also to the church office so it will be credited to your account.
How can I keep a record of the amount I have contributed?
You can view your online giving record from our Secure Online Giving website at any time. You can view your contribution history by date and print your report. We also send year-end statements directly to your home address for all donations.
Can I post a recurring contribution to the general fund as well as the building campaign?
Yes. The Donation Screen allows you to specify the amount for the General Fund and every other fund. For example, you could select $65 for the General Fund and $10 for the Building Fund each week.
When will the transaction go on my account?
You set the date when you want your bank account to pay or your card charged. For recurring donations, that same day or date is used in the future. As a donation is processed, you receive a reminder email. The actual date is based upon the start date you select:
• For weekly givers, the day of the week is used. If your start date is a Wednesday, all future donations will be done on a Wednesday.
• For monthly givers, the date is used. If your start date is December 3rd, future donations will be made each month on the 3rd, etc.
Can I give as little or as much as I want?
Donations should be a minimum of $5.00 and there are no limitations on the maximum amount. Your donation can be one-time or recurring.
What if I make a mistake and need to have a completed transaction reversed?
Any contribution scheduled can be canceled or modified up to two days before the scheduled date. Contact the church office immediately so your situation can be handled appropriately if you need our help.
What if I want to change my online giving or stop it?
From the online giving window, use EDIT to change your donation or DELETE to stop it.
Are other churches offering online giving?
Yes, this is offered by all but the smallest churches. Our system is particularly useful because we can specify which fund receives our donation, while some churches only support their general fund.
Who do I talk to if I have more questions?
Cathy Freeman processes Online Donations and is a great help. You can also contact Dawn at the church office (770-535-9938).
Should I tithe from gross earnings or the net amount of my paycheck?
Scripture doesn’t use the literal terms “net” or “gross”. It’s more important to note that the spirit in which we give is of greatest value to God. He tells us in II Corinthians 9 that “each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give; not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
If we want to help people get out of debt, why does Christ Lutheran Church accept credit card contributions?
Used within the parameters, debit and credit cards can be an efficient tool for payments and purchases. Many people utilize them in place of checks or cash throughout the month, and then pay off the balance in full. For these people, we offer the option of using a debit or credit card to give. We strongly discourage those who have ongoing credit card debt from exercising this option.
Go back to the Online Giving page.
