Sow with blessings: other ways to give regularly
If the PGS isn’t possible or doesn’t work for you there’s other tools for the task of growing generous giving.
We reap what we sow. Paul says much the same in 2 Cor 9:6. Thing is, Paul’s words are like an iceberg. We see a bit; there’s a lot more below the surface. What Paul literally says is this: the one who sows sparingly, sparingly will reap; the one who sows with blessings, with blessings will reap.
Now that’s a thought. Generosity means sowing blessings. We’ll have some of that. But this isn’t cheap grace. For Paul this sowing with blessings can’t be casual or forever caught up in the white-water of our emotions. It can’t be last minute gifts; grudgingly given. The giving that blesses needs preparation and action. So Paul sends his people - in advance - to prepare - in advance - the gift they knew about - in advance! (2 Cor 9:5). Today we call it planned giving. It’s the good soil which grows good giving; generous discipleship. See our blog Fruitful Soil.
The best planned giving tool on the market is the free to use, safe, simple and secure Parish Giving Scheme (PGS). But not every parish takes advantage of it and there’s often some (unfounded) worries about Direct Debits. So, if we’re stuck, what other tools can do the job?
I’ve had this one for years
First off, Standing Orders; used for church giving for years. In 2012 Giving Insight found 40% of givers in 5 denominations used standing orders - and associated with more giving and more church involvement. The robust Anglican Giving Surveys show less givers using Standing Orders: 30% in 2020; 22% in 2025 (unpublished data) and recalling being asked to give by Standing Order.
If the PGS isn’t available Standing Orders are the simplest way to go. They’re familiar. We trust them for our personal finances, they’re easy to set up in a branch (if you can find one!) or online and of course Gift Aid is claimed on eligible giving. Importantly, Standing Orders are way more effective than weekly envelopes; too vulnerable to shifting patterns of church attendance and a more cashless society. Age isn’t a barrier. Among people of retirement age 83% make contactless payments at least monthly and 78% use remote banking (source).
Other tools in the tool shed
Charitable giving accounts from the Christian charity Stewardship and Charities Aid Foundation are creative, flexible tools for giving to church and charity with built in Gift Aid claiming. A small deduction is made to cover operating costs. Church administration software like Church Suite enables regular and one off gifts, integrating with other admin records. A monthly fee applies. Online giving platforms are another tool. For example, Give a Little, a partner of Parish Buying and familiar to many churches enables regular gifts by Direct Debit (Stripe accounts) and by recurring card payments. A transaction fee applies and Gift Aid can be claimed by the church or by the platform on payment of an additional (and entirely fair) fee. Contactless donations can also be recurring with a Stripe account. Mobile payment services Google Pay and Apple Pay can be used for make regular gifts if the church sets up its online platform to receive them. In each case there will be a transaction fee.
Payroll giving is a gift from our pay packet. It’s especially helpful for higher rate tax payers as a ‘single step’ tax efficient giving. It’s powerful; 30million people could use it and some employers match employee gifts. But payroll giving is less well known and numbers are declining. Employers must have a scheme with one of a number of Payroll Giving Agencies and workers can request employers to set one up. See how one payroll agency explains how it all works.
If you’ve only got a hammer
Everything looks like a nail! It’s helpful to have a range of giving options but don’t fall offer so many ways to give that people can’t choose! Find a simple giving proposition: Parish Giving Scheme (or Standing Orders) for regular giving; online for occasional; contactless in church. You’ll have other tools to offer if people need them.
Giving and worship
As with the Parish Giving Scheme we must connect our worship and our giving. When we say, ‘all things come from you and of your own do we give you’ we want our giving to be reflected in our prayer and represented on the plate.
Check out our Canva templates for home or professional printing at Preparing for a Response. You’ll find generic and customisable giving cards and Standing Order information leaflets which can be customised to your chosen method of regular planned giving.
Seed to sow
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed … You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Cor 9:10-11)