Frequently Asked Questions About Electronic Contributions
Q. What is electronic contribution?
A. Electronic contribution is an automatic transfer program which allows you to make contributions without writing checks.
Q. How is my electronic contribution automatically deducted from my account?
A. Once you authorize the transfer, your specified contribution is electronically transferred directly from your checking or savings account to the church’s account.
Q. What is the advantage of electronic contribution?
A. It saves time! It saves work! It simplifies your life! You also help the church stabilize its budget.
Q. How can I participate in the Sunday offering during the worship service if I give online?
A. We will have "I Give Electronically" cards in the pews. If you give electronically, just put one of these cards in the offering plate as a symbol of your gift. The cards will contain information about electronic giving and will include a QR code which can be scanned with a smartphone to direct visitors to our mobile giving page.
Q. I already use electronic bill pay for my offering, why should I change to electronic funds transfer?
A. When you use electronic bill pay, your bank cuts a check to Asbury and mails the check to Asbury. Asbury stores the check in the safe until Sunday when the counters record it and deposit it to Asbury’s bank account. When you use electronic funds transfer, funds are transferred directly from your bank to Asbury’s bank account. Vanco sends a file to Asbury that is imported into Servant Keeper to record your offering. No paper check and no required entry or deposit by the counters.
Q. When will my contribution be deducted from my account?
A. On its due date. You never have to worry about forgetting a payment or mailing it on time.
Q. If I do not write checks, how do I keep my checkbook balance straight?
A. Since your contribution is made at a pre-established time, you simply record it in your check register on the appropriate date.
Q. Without a canceled check, how can I prove I made my contribution?
A. Your bank statement gives you an itemized list of electronic transfers. (Your bank statement will show an entry with a description like WITHDRAW / ASBURY UMC CONTRIBUTN. It is your proof of contribution. Electronic contributions will also be included in your regular quarterly giving statement.
Q. Is electronic contribution risky?
A. Electronic contribution is less risky than check contribution. It cannot be lost, stolen or destroyed in the mail.
Q. Who administers the program?
A. The United Methodist Electronic Funds Transfer program is administered by Vanco Services, a payment processor that has been endorsed by General Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church since 2002. Vanco provides online giving, mobile giving and other convenient services to more than 15,000 churches, schools and nonprofit organizations.
Q. How much does electronic contribution cost me?
A. It costs you nothing.
Q. How do I sign up for electronic contribution?
A. Go to the online site by clicking the Donate button on the Donate tab of the Asbury web site. Create a profile and schedule a recurring donation.
Q. What if I change bank accounts?
A. Sign on to the online site and make the change online yourself.
Q. What if I try electronic contribution and don’t like it?
A. You can cancel your authorization at any time through the online site. But, once you’ve enjoyed the convenience, time and money savings of electronic contribution, we doubt you will want to go back to making contributions the way you did before.
