Common Questions
Quick answers for pastors and boards. If you don’t see what you need, book a walkthrough.
Getting Started
Q: How do people actually use PewTap? Do they need an app?
No app required. People tap their phone on the seat tag and a simple mobile page opens with clear next steps: Give, Serve, Join a Group, New Here. It feels native and fast.
Q: Do we need to tag every seat, or can we start with a section?
Start with what you use weekly. Many churches tag the main floor first, then add balcony or overflow later. You only pay for installed tags, so you can phase it in without guessing at attendance.
Q: What if our attendance goes up and down? Do we report numbers monthly?
No reporting. Pricing is by installed tags, not attendance. Add tags when you add usable seating. Remove or reassign tags if you close sections.
Q: What does it cost to add more seats later?
Exactly the same as day one: $5 per added tag (one-time) and $2 per tag per month.
Q: What happens if someone doesn’t have a compatible phone or doesn’t want to use technology?
Keep your existing pathways. PewTap augments your current practice. Ushers, connect tables, paper cards, and the offering moment still work as usual. PewTap is there for everyone who prefers a quick tap.
Q: How long does installation take?
Most sanctuaries are tagged in a single day. Larger rooms or multi-site installs can take longer. We schedule around your calendar so Sundays are uninterrupted.
Q: What happens if a tag gets damaged or goes missing?
We provide replacements at a small cost. Your flows keep working for all other seats.
Volunteers & Groups
Q: Will this actually help us get more volunteers, or just collect names faster?
You’ll get both more sign-ups and better follow-through. People can respond in the moment they are willing to serve. Their info routes to the right ministry leader so next-day contact happens. Churches report that the friction drop changes outcomes, not only speed.
Q: How does PewTap help connect people to small groups?
“Join a Group” lets people indicate interest by night of week, life stage, or campus. Those responses go to your groups point person with enough detail to place them well. Simpler steps lead to more people in community.
Q: What does follow-up look like for my team? Do I have to learn a new system?
We keep it simple. You receive clear lists routed to the right leader so shepherding can happen quickly. If you prefer, you can export responses into your church software.
Q: We’ve tried clipboards and online forms and still miss people. What changes with PewTap?
Access and timing. People do not have to find the lobby table or remember a link later. They can respond from their seat in less than 2 seconds while the desire to take a step is fresh. That moment is the difference.
Q: Will older members use it?
My 81 year-old father does and many others will too. For those who prefer not to, keep an usher or connect table option. PewTap adds an easy door without forcing you to remove your old ones.
Giving & Stewardship
Q: Does PewTap replace our giving provider, or work alongside it?
Alongside. PewTap points givers to your secure giving flow. We do not process or store card numbers. Your existing provider handles the transaction as usual.
Q: Does this actually increase giving, or just move it from elsewhere?
Churches typically see a 10% lift or more because you capture moments that were previously lost. Many times people intend to give, but get distracted after the service and simply forget. Now we make giving immediate and simple which increases participation and consistency.
Q: How much of a giving boost is realistic?
We set expectations at a conservative 10 percent. Your results may be higher or lower depending on communication, culture, and follow-up. We guarantee that you’ll get at least $2 of extra giving for every $1 you spend on us or we’ll refund your subscription.
Q: What is your guarantee in plain language?
“For every dollar your church spends on PewTap, you will see at least two dollars back in additional offerings. If after six months your offering income has not increased by at least double your PewTap subscription cost, cancel and we will refund your subscription. No questions asked.”
Q: How do we measure that fairly?
We look at your giving six months after launch, if it isn’t up by double the amount of your PewTap subscription then we give you the option of cancelling your subscription and getting your money back.
Tech, Privacy & Security
Q: Do we need special Wi-Fi or networking?
Nope. As long as you have cell service you don’t need Wi-Fi at all. Sure, reliable church Wi-Fi is helpful, but it’s not required.
Q: What phones does it work with?
Modern iPhone and Android devices with NFC enabled. That covers the vast majority of active devices in Canada and the U.S.
Q: Is our people’s information secure?
Yes. PewTap follows Canadian privacy principles. We collect only what is needed for the next step and never sell data. Giving is handled by your existing secure provider. You can export or request deletion at any time.
Q: Where does our data live and who owns it?
Your church owns your data. We store it securely and provide exports on request. If you choose to leave, we help you take your data with you.
Q: Does PewTap integrate with our church software?
Today we route responses to the right leader and provide simple exports. If you need direct API integrations, let’s talk so we can confirm current options and roadmap.
Leadership & Culture
Q: How do I explain this to my board?
Keep it simple. “It helps us collect offerings, recruit volunteers, place people in small groups, and follow-up with newcomers much faster and more reliably than before. It costs one dollar per seat per month and we expect a conservative ten percent increase in offerings. We have a six-month guarantee that promises at that we’ll gain least two dollars in the offering for every dollar we invest in the system.”
Q: What is the missional case for using PewTap?
PewTap removes friction so people can respond to God and to one another. Serving, joining a group, and giving are discipleship steps. When those steps are clear and easy, more people take them.
Q: Will people think church is becoming transactional?
PewTap supports your pastoral moment. You still lead the invitation. We simply make the response simple and discreet from the seat. This is about shepherding, not sales.
Q: How does this affect the offering moment?
Use your normal practice. Many pastors keep the offering in-service and add a short instruction: “If you prefer, you can tap the seat in front of you to give or to let us know how we can serve you.”
Q: Is this a fad?
NFC tap technology has been standard on modern phones for many years. Seat-level next steps are becoming normal in public spaces. What lasts is not the tech but the discipline of making next steps easy.
Q: Does this work for multi-site churches and multiple services?
Yes. Pricing is by installed seats, not attendance or service count, so there is no penalty for growth or added services.
Q: How much staff time will this take every week?
Very little. PewTap is designed to save you time – not cost you time. People respond in service. Leaders receive clear lists and follow up. Most churches fold it into their normal Monday follow-up rhythm.
Q: How do we communicate this change to the church?
Keep it short and pastoral for three to four Sundays: what it is, why it serves people, and how to use it. A one-minute explanation in the service plus a line in your weekly email is usually enough.