Plant QR codes around your church during Lent for a beautiful Easter bloom

March 7, 2024 by

Katie Clark

This Lent, intentionally scatter those QR codes to inspire a fruitful response to online giving during the most attended Mass of the year!

QR codes - we see them, we know them, we use them; but oftentimes, we forget that they are a powerful tech tool that helps us leverage better engagement and hospitality at church! QR codes can help move members across the bridge from the land of information gathering and "I'll do that later..." towards immediate action-taking territory. 

So, as Easter approaches, you’re no doubt preparing for your most-attended Masses of the year. Providing a simple and convenient way for members and visitors alike to participate in online giving is a great way to provide those sitting in the pews with a direct pathway into the very heart and mission of your church. 
 

The importance of making online giving easy for members

There is so much to prepare for before Easter arrives and online giving opportunities may be the very last thing on your mind. But a little effort and love put into action can be tremendously helpful for new members and regular church-goers alike.

Beyond greeters at the sanctuary doors, another way to make people feel welcomed is to make sure it’s easy to participate in the life of your parish, and that includes your offertory. People are generous, and if they are not asked to give, you may be missing an opportunity for others to share their blessings with your church.

And while we trust those faithful weekly attendees will continue to share their support, the holidays can still bring irregular schedules and disrupted routines for even the most dedicated followers. Family visits, Easter basket blessings…so much can get misplaced and members can accidentally forget items from their regular routine of life at this time of year! If that trusty envelope is forgotten on the kitchen counter, the option to give online can be a welcome relief for those who like to get things done ASAP whether it’s in the pew or from the front seat on the car ride to Grandma’s house.

Online donation options are clearly made for giving, but this technology also helps our visitors and parishioners be a little more forgiving to themselves when away from home or a little flustered during this busy season.
 

Cultivate the power of the humble QR code

Okay, so if online giving is important to share about, what is the best method to spread the word? Our vote: the humble QR code. Because of their common place in the world today, anyone with a smartphone (iPhone or Android) can scan them. And because QR codes can link to any digital asset or a specific webpage, it’s a prime medium to help you direct people to an exact location to take an action (like making a gift online!).
 

And remember, you don’t have to use any third-party QR code generator. All eCatholic-powered websites have high-quality QR codes built into every single page on your website. All you need to do is download the QR code from your online giving website page, and ta-da! You’ve got a QR code ready to be scanned for a seamless experience and quick transactions.

Where should QR codes be included?

So, if you find yourself wanting to plant those QR codes in and around your parish grounds this Lenten season, what next? Here are a few ways we’ve seen other parishes successfully use QR codes for better engagement and increased giving.

• Seasonal Mailers - Sending out postcards with your Easter Mass times? Include a small section and corresponding QR code about giving online before the liturgy arrives! Now, members can come to Mass and not worry about forgetting their envelope or carrying cash.
• In the Pew - Consider posting a QR code to the back of your pew with a message or instructions for giving a “cashless donation” this year. That way, when the basket comes around, though they might pass the basket, they won’t pass up the opportunity to give. Additionally, consider redesigning your guest envelopes to add a QR code. Guest envelopes are smaller than a bulletin so visitors can take one on the road if they don’t want to pull out their phone during Mass.
• Worship Aides and Live Stream (for Easter or Ordinary time!) - Most worship aides follow the order of Mass. Right before the offertory hymn, slip in a QR code and quick note of gratitude from the Pastor or parish office. And, if you’re live streaming, include a dedicated announcement on your stream feed to remind those watching from home that they can still participate.
• Signage, signage, signage! - Don’t forget about the real estate you have on all your printed materials! If there’s a sign about your upcoming holy days, include a quick nod for how memebers can give online before the day arrives. Plus, if you've got any supplementary loacations for where you signs go (near the offertory collection, in the bathroom, on every single bulletin board), people will expect to find QR codes, so they're not out of place in any way.
• Bulletin - This one is tried and true. Consider including a QR code next to the weekly offertory report or next to a message from Father about the weekly tithe or special fundraiser.
• Welcome Table - If you have a welcome or hospitality table, this is the place to make sure visitors know about their options. Consider creating a business card with instructions and a QR code to set up online giving. Or, simply create a table tent announcement that can be scanned before they walk out the door. Any flyers or welcome packets you have on this table are great resources to look and consider “Can we simplify our new member journey with a QR code?” The answer is usually, "yes!" :)
• Screens - If you have announcements playing on a screen in a vestibule or welcome area, don’t discount the opportunity to include a slide about online giving. Remember, QR codes can be scanned whether they are printed or displayed on a digital screen. Just make sure that slide is visible long enough for viewers to pull out their phone.

Ready to start cultivating? Grab that shovel and your overalls, it's crunch time, and those QR codes won't plant themselves. We're excited to see what the beautiful blooms your church will have as a result of thes QR code efforts.

Have these ideas inspired any other locations for you to "plant" those QR codes? We'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and let us know what seeds you are planting this Lent.