You’ve probably already used NFC technology today. Maybe you tapped your phone to pay for coffee. Or waved your watch over a terminal to board a flight. NFC (short for Near Field Communication) is everywhere now, making everyday interactions smoother and faster.
So what if your church could use that same simplicity to remove friction from giving, registrations, or communications?
NFC tags help reduce barriers for guests and create a smooth experience for your staff and volunteers—by using tools people are already familiar with in everyday life. They provide instant access to giving, registrations, and connection forms without extra steps or complicated instructions.
In this post, we’ll walk through:
- What Are NFC Tags & Why They Matter for Churches
- Can You Use NFC Tags With TouchPoint?
- Important Security Tips
- NFC Tags Can Increase Generosity
- Practical Ways Churches Are Using NFC Tags for Engagement
- A Unique Idea From Our Partner Church
- General Instructions To Set Up NFC Tags
- Can NFC Tags Be Reused?
- Questions to Help Your Team Decide if NFC Is the Right Fit
What Are NFC Tags & Why They Matter for Churches
NFC tags use the same technology that you’re probably familiar with using in everyday life: tap-to-pay credit cards and Apple/Google Pay. With an NFC tag, you can store a link (like a giving page or registration URL) and let someone access it just by tapping their phone.
It’s simple. It’s fast. And it reduces friction for everyone—from guests to your most faithful members.
Can You Use NFC Tags with TouchPoint?
YES!
If your church uses TouchPoint or TouchPoint Giving, you’re already NFC-ready.
You can link a NFC tag directly to:
- Your main giving page
- A specific fund or campaign
- An event registration form
- A volunteer or baptism sign-up
- A digital connection card
Each of these pages can be linked to your church’s website. No third-party URLs. No extra friction. Only a clear next step—delivered with a tap.
Important Security Tips
While NFC tags are easy and convenient, they also need to be used with caution. James Kurtz, Director of Technology at Tenth Presbyterian Church, emphasizes that, as with any tech tool, there is always the possibility of misuse. Churches should take this seriously by planning ahead, testing regularly, and securing tags both physically and digitally to safeguard their ministry.
Here are a few simple steps to make sure your tags stay secure:
- Store securely when not in use. If your church only uses NFC tags during specific events or services, keep them out of sight and locked away when not needed. This reduces the risk of tampering or confusion.
- Use the “lock” feature after programming your tag. This prevents anyone from rewriting or replacing your link later on.
- Choose NFC tags from reputable suppliers with good reviews and clear specifications. Higher-quality tags tend to be more reliable and have better memory protection.
- Select NTAG213 or NTAG215 chips if possible, as these are widely supported and have dependable security features.
- Place tags in low-risk, monitored locations like lobbies, kiosks, or tables that staff can easily observe.
- Avoid placing NFC tags in unsupervised public areas (like parking lots or outdoor signage), where they’re more likely to be tampered with.
- Test periodically to make sure the tag is still pointing to the correct URL and hasn’t been replaced by a malicious look-alike.
Just like any tool in ministry, using it wisely ensures it continues to build trust and support the mission.
NFC Tags Can Increase Generosity
One of the biggest advantages of NFC tags is how they make giving simple and immediate. A quick scan can turn intention into action without extra steps or friction. And when giving is easy in the moment, people are more likely to respond.
While there isn’t yet large-scale, peer-reviewed research specific to NFC tags in churches, early reports and broader giving studies point to a compelling trend:
- A church using TAPiTAG reported a 300% increase in donations after placing NFC tags in high-traffic areas like the lobby and coffee bar.
Note: These statistics are vendor-reported and results may vary by church size, communication strategy, and placement.
Beyond NFC-specific insights, broader research supports the value of digital simplicity:
- 44% of U.S. adults prefer digital giving options, and 75% of Christians believe their church would benefit from them (Barna)
- Churches that accept online giving see, on average, 3–5% more donation growth than those that do not (Outreach Magazine)
But the technology is only half the story. The real impact comes when generosity is connected to a bigger picture. As Morgan Mudge, VP at TouchPoint, explains:
“When we don’t tell the story of what God is doing through our ministries, generosity feels transactional instead of transformational.”
That’s why pairing an NFC tag with a story of impact is so effective. Instead of linking only to a form, point people to a giving page with a video from a mission trip, photos from a local outreach, or even a simple note about how their gift is being used this week. A tap becomes more than a transaction—it becomes an invitation to join in God’s work.
Practical Ways Churches Are Using NFC Tags for Engagement
Churches across the country are finding creative ways to use NFC tags beyond giving. These are a few common applications you can try right away:
- Giving stations: Stick NFC tags on signs, tables, or mounted plaques. “Tap to give” becomes a natural part of your lobby or worship center.
- Connection cards: Use NFC tags to launch a digital connection form for guests. Place them on welcome center counters or in first-time visitor bags.
- Compose a text message: Make it easier to text a reply word to your church phone number by configuring your NFC tag to draft a text with a pre-typed message to your team.
- Volunteer or baptism sign-ups: Stick a tag near your serve wall, info center, or signage promoting next steps.
- Event registration: Place tags on printed materials, posters, or table tents to drive sign-ups for retreats, camps, or workshops.
- Logan George, Cyber Security Professional, suggested using NFC tags to support a tool check-in and check-out system for ministry inventory management—helping maintain accountability and streamline resource tracking.
The best part? You don’t have to choose just one. These tags are flexible and can support multiple ministries across your church.
A Unique Idea From Our Partner Churches
One of our partner churches has taken NFC implementation a step further with creative, ministry-specific applications:
- Matt Keathley, Technology Director at Highland Park United Methodist Church, shared his ideas for the possible implementation of custom NFC-enabled keychains for volunteers in the kids’ ministry. These not only served as a tool for quick access to Check-In stations and needed systems but also cultivated a sense of appreciation and teamwork among the volunteer team.
These examples highlight the flexibility of NFC tags to support a wide range of ministry goals—from operational efficiency to volunteer care and appreciation.
General Instructions to Set Up NFC Tags
You don’t need a developer or tech team to get started. Here’s the process:
- Buy NFC Tags
Purchase from a reputable source that clearly lists compatibility (NTAG213 or NTAG215 recommended). Avoid unbranded bulk tags with no specifications. - Use an App to Program Them
Download a free app like NFC Tools (available on iOS and Android). Use it to:- Write your custom TouchPoint URL
- Set a redirect to your giving or event page
- Lock the tag if you don’t want it edited
- Test It
Tap your tag with both iPhone and Android to make sure the page loads instantly. - Place It
Stick it on the back of a pew or seat, in the lobby, on a classroom door, or even on a printed card in a welcome bag.
Can NFC Tags Be Reused?
Yes—most NFC tags are completely rewritable, especially if you use NTAG215 or NTAG213 chips.
Using a free app like NFC Tools, you can:
- Erase the current data on a tag
- Reprogram it to point to a new URL or function
- Lock it (optional) to prevent further changes
This means you can reuse tags for seasonal events, rotate them between ministries, or repurpose them as your needs evolve.
Questions to Help Your Team Decide if NFC Is the Right Fit
Here are a few questions to help your team decide if this is a safe, manageable, and strategic next step:
- Do we want to make giving and sign-ups easier for guests and regulars alike?
- Would our congregation respond well to tap-based technology?
- Are our current next steps clearly visible and accessible on Sundays?
- Do we already use or plan to use branded giving pages through TouchPoint?
- Do we have team capacity to monitor, test, and maintain NFC tag locations?
- Are we confident in our ability to secure and manage technology in public spaces?
- Do we have someone on staff or in a volunteer role who’s comfortable handling the tech setup?
If most of these resonate with your team, NFC tags could be a practical and low-cost way to streamline next steps and make engagement more accessible for everyone.
Bringing It All Together
NFC Tags for churches are about removing barriers so people can step more fully into generosity, connection, and discipleship. By combining simple technology with meaningful stories, your church can make next steps clear and accessible—whether that’s giving, signing up, or getting involved. In the end, NFC tags are one more tool to help your ministry invite people into the bigger story of what God is doing through your church.
