Connected Baskets—France
The North France Conference provides an alternative contactless giving method that allows church members to worship God with their offerings using the “Panier Connecté,” translated as “Connected Basket.” During the offering collection, a basket with a phone opened to a giving app circulates the pew, and church members choose the amount they have purposed in their hearts to give and validate their offerings. Find out about other giving methods/options around the world: https://www.adventist.org/giving/.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The “Connected Basket,” what is it?
The opportunity to give your offering to the local church via “contactless” digital means, namely by credit card, telephone, and connected watch, but also in cash. It is produced in France by the ACTOLL company specializing in ticketing devices.
Where can we find these connected baskets?
Since October 2, 2022, they have been installed in the local churches of the North France Conference and are, therefore, available during the Sabbath in the local church.
Is my contactless donation with the connected shopping cart anonymous?
Yes, completely anonymous. There is no credit card identification on the statements or on the terminal display.
With the connected basket, can I choose where I want to allocate my offering?
As when you put cash in the usual offering plates, the connected basket does not allow you to assign the offering yourself. However, the church board has or will have established a breakdown to best meet the needs of the local church and the global work.
How much do connected baskets cost, and who pays for them?
The cart has a rental cost and a commission. The cost of renting the basket is 12 euros per month. It is supported by the conference during the 2021-2025 mandate. The commission corresponding to bank and administrative charges is 5%. It is supported for 6 months by the Conference (from October to March 2023 inclusive) so that each entity can test the device. Then it will automatically be deducted from the local church offerings.
Is there a follow-up of the donations made by the connected baskets?
Yes, anonymous statistics will be sent monthly to the leaders of the local church who will be able to present the evolution during a general administrative meeting of the church.
Can I receive a receipt following my "contactless" donation?
There is no receipt via the terminal. However, you can check on your online bank account and/or via your receipts by phone or connected watch.
How do I make my offering through the connected basket?
With just two steps. Two steps are enough. When presented to you: tap one of the preset amounts to make your offering. Present your "contactless" means of payment on the basket terminal (credit card, telephone, or connected watch), and it's done!
Making a monthly direct debit for my offerings is easier, so why use the connected basket?
We always encourage everyone to consider the offering a God-inspired impulse from the heart. The automatic collection of offerings is commendable for what you have purposed in your heart. Still, it should not replace your voluntary and involved intention to make the gesture of preparing – spiritually and physically by card or in cash – and give this offering to God.
Will churches ditch the regular offering plates and only have the connected basket?
Churches can keep both systems. The local church treasurer will then do the breakdown when counting the funds.
How does the connected basket work?
It is a terminal that charges like a mobile phone and whose secure network is managed by ACTOLL.
Questions and answers taken from the North France Conference website, https://adventisteffn.org/ufaqs/le-panier-connecte-quest-ce-que-cest/, and translated into English.
