Supported Payment Platforms
Why Have a Specific List of Tools?
As a Finance team, we strive to provide you with the most accurate and timely financial data possible, and the software tools we use for ministry execution are often the entry way to that data. With the catalytic nature of our organization, our teams have needed a wide variety of tools to accomplish their goals. While there is not "one software tool to rule them all", because of the hard work of so many within our organization, we have narrowed down our software tools to a few "best-in-breed" tools for just about every need.
Because we now have these excellent tools, the finance team is going to centralize our support specifically around these tools. This will not only provide you with tools to maintain high levels of ministry excellence, but also allow the Ministry Operation teams to build processes around these tools, providing you the accurate and timely data we desire.
We also recognize that the software world is constantly changing and new tools are frequently emerging. Because of this, the tools we use could change in the future, but for now the church will centralize on the tools listed below, therefore these are the tools supported by the finance team. If you have a need for a solution not addressed below, or think there is a better solution, please let Bryce Neal know! We are always looking for the best tool available!
Supported Revenue Platforms:
Charitable Contributions: Pushpay
Point of Contact: Bryce Neal
Pushpay is our one-stop-shop platform for all charitable contributions. All five of the church's funds (General, For The Nations, Local Mission, Building, and Mercy) are hosted through Pushpay and all gifts are recorded in Pushpay. Every gift recorded in this system is considered a tax deductible charitable contribution. If you need access to or information from this system, please contact Bryce Neal. We can give you custom links to each fund, allowing you to set default views and tag gifts.
Payment Forms Accepted: ACH, Credit, Debt, Cash, Check, Stock, Bonds
Church Registrations: CCB
Point of Contact: Your Department Leader & Leslie Terrell
While CCB is a Church Management System and serves as the system of record for our entire church body, it also accepts payments in a form. The church has centralized all church registrations payments in CCB because the data will be integrated with congregant profiles. Use CCB for your retreats, classes, events, etc. If your form accepts payment, you will have to select a "COA" or Chart of Account. This is a fancy way of asking "Where does the money go?". CCB has options for almost all ministry needs, and any payment will be recorded as "Registration Revenue" unless specified on the COA. In some circumstances you might want to add the option to purchase merchandise as part of a registration form. (Examples: Women's Retreat T-Shirt, Beach Camp hat) CCB supports this, however you will need a "merchandise" COA added to the system. If you are accepting payment for something other than a registration or are missing a COA, please reach out to Bryce Neal.
Payment Forms Accepted: Credit, Debit
Physical Sales of non Austin Stone Resources In Person: Square
Point of Contact: Leslie Terrell
Whether you need to sell resources on a Sunday, SWAG at beach camp, or vinyl records at an album launch, Square is your one-stop-shop for selling any physical item in person. Ministry departments are set up in Square as separate "locations" so that sales are easily distinguished. The finance team manages all the items in Square, so if you ever need to add an additional item to sell, please send your request to accountsreceivable@austinstone.org. Your Department Leader should know if you already have an account, but if not, please reach out to accountsreceivable@austinstone.org to request a new login.
Payment Forms Accepted: Credit, Debit, Cash
Physical Sales of Austin Stone Resources Online or in Person: Shopify
Point of Contact: Leslie Terrell
Shopify is an online e-commerce platform that allows the online sale of physical goods created by our ministries. Shopify creates "Buy-Buttons" that are embedded in our website, allowing a user to purchase items on Austin Stone web pages. The tool is specific to the sale of Austin Stone Institute resources and Austin Stone Worship albums, but if you believe this would be helpful for your ministry, please have your Department Leader contact Bryce Neal for further discussion. Shopify also allows for outsourced shipping and inventory management for an additional fee. If you would like to add a new item to Shopify, please reach out to Elizabeth Stewart.
Payment Forms Accepted: Credit, Debit
All Other Sales/Payments: Electronic Invoicing
Point of Contact: accountsreceivable@austinstone.org
The church's financial software has the capability to create and email invoices to any individual or organization that owes money to the church. This platform is used for one-off payments that do not justify their own software. It also is a backstop for regular payments that should not be processed through the tools above. Examples: facility rentals, seminary tuition, professional services, work for outside organizations, equipment rentals, reimbursements owed to the church, etc. If you are needing to collect payment for any of the previous examples, see this Helpscout article on next steps. In addition, if none of the tools supported by our church make sense for your ministry, then please have your Department Leader contact Bryce Neal for further discussion.
Payment Forms Accepted: Credit, Debit, ACH, Cash, Check