QR codes for churches and places of worship
Fewer people carry cash, and a collection plate passed down the row doesn't help them. A QR code in the pew or on the bulletin that opens your giving page lets every member give in the way that suits them.
Weekly bulletins, rotas and event notices change every week. A permanent code in the pews that opens this week's bulletin saves printing, and a code at the door can open the recording of last week's sermon.
QR code ideas for churches and places of worship
Giving
A code in pews, on the bulletin and by the door that opens your online giving page.
This week's bulletin
One printed code that opens the current bulletin, updated each week from the office.
Sermons and music
Recordings of last week's sermon or the choir, linked from the bulletin or newsletter.
Prayer requests and volunteering
A private form for prayer requests, and sign-ups for rotas, groups and events.
Which QR code to use
Static codes are free and need no account, but can't be changed after printing. Dynamic codes and hosted pages can be edited at any time, count every scan, and keep working on every plan, even if you cancel.
PDF page
An uploaded PDF people can read in the browser or download.
Upload each week's bulletin; the pew card always opens the latest one.
Build it in the dashboardAudio page
An audio player with cover art and a playlist.
Sermon recordings in an audio player with a playlist of recent weeks.
Build it in the dashboardFeedback and forms page
Star ratings, NPS and questions, with responses collected in your dashboard.
Prayer requests and volunteer sign-ups with text and choice fields, visible to the team in the dashboard.
Build it in the dashboardEvent page
Date, time, venue, organiser and add-to-calendar links, plus an .ics file for any calendar app.
Services, festivals and community events with calendar buttons for the newsletter.
Build it in the dashboardHow big to print it
| Where people scan | Distance | Minimum code width |
|---|---|---|
| Pew card or bulletin | 40 cm (16 in) | 4.6 cm (1.8 in) |
| Noticeboard | 1.2 m (4 ft) | 13.9 cm (5.5 in) |
| Banner outside | 5 m (16 ft) | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) |
For a dynamic short link such as https://qrdx.dev/q/aB3dE5f at error correction Q, without the blank margin. Static Wi-Fi, vCard or long URL codes hold more data and need to be larger. Check yours with the print size calculator and the scan checker.
Placement tips
- Churches are often dim. Print pew cards in black on white and test them in your darkest corner.
- Place giving codes where people pause: the pew back, the entrance table and the bulletin cover.
- Keep the giving page fast; a slow page loses people between the pew and the payment.
- Offer an alternative for members without smartphones, such as envelopes or a card reader.
Call-to-action copy
A code with a reason to scan beside it gets more scans than a bare code. Lines to print next to yours:
- Scan to give
- This week's bulletin
- Listen to Sunday's sermon
- Share a prayer request
QR codes for churches and places of worship: FAQ
Can we use one QR code for every week's bulletin?
Yes. Print a dynamic code that opens a PDF page, then upload the new bulletin each week. The code in the pews never changes.
Is online giving through a QR code safe?
The code only opens a web page; the payment runs through your giving provider. Use your provider's official page, check the code hasn't been covered with a sticker, and print your domain under it.
Can we see how many people use the codes?
Yes. Dynamic codes count scans over time, so you can compare the pew cards with the bulletin and see which services or events draw interest.