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Offerings should be collected in secure receptacles near entrances and exits. We advise continued encouragement of electronic offering. A safe method for counting the offering must be implemented including the use of disposable gloves. (BWC Guidelines for Re-entering Well, p. 4)

Why?

As churches take steps to ensure people’s safety and wellbeing, managing expectations will be a vital part of reopening buildings and gathering well. The giving of tithes and offering is an important spiritual discipline. Even when people are not physically together, or when physical distancing adds complications, the act of giving nurtures disciples and churches should enable generosity.

When?

Church leaders should encourage the practice of online giving. Tithing from a distance is a practice that may continue even after the pandemic. In order to care for the most vulnerable, the pastor and church finance leaders should create flexible procedures for collecting tithes and offerings when in-person worship resumes.

Implementation Checklist

• Until passing the offering plate is safe for all participants, the Re-entering Well Task Force and church financial leaders should select a location or two in the sanctuary where financial gifts may be deposited. The location and the receptacle should be secure. 
• Recruit and train trusted volunteers to ensure that offering receptacles are not moved and that money is removed only by authorized personnel. 
• Training of these volunteers should include:
• Clear information about how the virus that causes COVID-19 is transmitted and  why it is important for everyone to adopt the following protocols:

• Stay home if you or someone you are in contact with feels sick or has a  fever (to prevent the spread of the virus);
• Maintain six-feet of separation from people not in your immediate family or pod (to prevent the airborne spread of the virus among those who are symptom free);
• Wear a facemask at all times when away from home (to protect others);
• Do not touch your face, mouth, or eyes (to prevent the virus from entering your body); and
• Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after using the toilet and use hand-sanitizer to clean hands after exiting the restroom or after touching other common surfaces (to kill the virus).

• Teach offering/collection stewards how to wear masks properly: cover both nose and mouth and secure a close fit around the face. 
• If unvaccinated, put masks on before leaving vehicles. 
• Learn about Wellbeing Guides and how they will be partnering with volunteers. (See “Enforcing Necessary Health Policies Tip Sheet” for details.)
• Time during worship may be set apart to announce the location of offering receptacles, to encourage people to give, and to thank God for the many blessings we have received. If your church is able to receive offerings or second-mile giving via text or mobile device, create a script with the information and share that information as well.
• Select a room for counting the offering that is large enough for counters to spread out and allow more than six feet between each person present. 
• Select and train counters; see training instructions above. In addition, counters should adhere to the following: 
• At least two counters should collect the money immediately following the service. 
• All counters, and anyone else who comes in contact with the money, should wear disposable gloves before touching the money. 
• Masks should continue to be worn and physical distancing maintained.
• Counters should practice safe glove removal and avoid touching anything with the gloves after counting the money. 
• Counters should wipe down door handles as they leave the counting room and then wash their hands.
• The person opening any mailed-in checks to the church should follow the same procedures as the counters. 

Additional Resources

Collecting Tithes from a Distance, a BWC collection of resources