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THE PROJECT
Q1. I know the congregation voted in favor of a building renovation, but how did we get to that point?
Q2. What is the total expansion cost? A. $ 920.000.00 and this will include updating the sanctuary to include increased seating capacity, creating a larger more inviting entry with an expanded café, increasing the parking capacity, relocating the nursery and creating enough office space for the staff to be located together. Q3. Is it wise for us to renovate the building when there are so many other needs in the fellowship? A. Caring for people is the heart of our ministry. We need to network, train, and equip caregivers while utilizing accountability systems. While some will be focusing on building a facility, others will be focusing on building stronger care networks. This is not a matter of either/or but a need for both. Let's keep the doors open to touch lives while we keep our hearts open to minister to all people. THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Q4. Why is our church involved in a capital campaign? A. This capital campaign provides us with an opportunity to challenge one another to prayerfully consider our individual involvement in the campaign and our personal commitments to the Lord. While finances committed will enable us to build our new facility, our ultimate vision is to become fully committed disciples in all areas of life. Q5. Isn't the capital campaign just a front to get money for the new building? A. While it is our prayer that the Lord will use this emphasis to provide resources for the new facility, the capital campaign is a time of teaching that God owns everything - our time, talents, treasures. We are simply managers. When we understand that, the rest takes care of itself. Our goal is that, through stewardship teaching, each of us will surrender everything to Jesus Christ. THE FINANCES Q6. How much money are we trusting the Lord to supply in this campaign? A. We have set a faith goal of $ 920.000.00 of increased giving over the next three years. Q7. How will the proposed expansion be funded? A. There are four sources available to fund our expansion project. They are: 1. Cash currently in our Building Fund. 2. Immediate cash and non-cash gifts. 3. Regular weekly or monthly gifts given over three years. 4. Borrowed funds. Q8. Just how much will we need to borrow? A. The amount we borrow will depend upon what God provides through His people. We may need to borrow to complete the project, but that depends on our response to the campaign. The more we raise in our Capital Campaign, the less we will need to borrow. There will be a realistic plan to pay back our obligations and this plan will be presented to the congregation for final approval. THE COMMITMENTS Q9. Will my commitment constitute a permanent investment? A. Definitely. That which we keep for ourselves can be lost, but that which we willingly give away can never be lost. The gifts you give for the purpose of expanding God's Kingdom here will flourish and bear fruit as God adds His blessing to your faithfulness. Q10. Is there a certain amount of money that I will be expected to commit to our Capital Campaign? A. No. After asking God for guidance in the decision, each person will decide his/her individual commitment. The goal is not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice. Q11. What is expected of my family in making a financial commitment? A. Every family is being asked to pray about its commitment. No one will be pressured. No commitments will be published. We want everyone to pray about what they believe God would want to do through them. If God owns everything and we are simply managers, then we believe that God will provide everything we need to effectively do His work as we are obedient to Him. Q12. Can we make one commitment for our entire family? A. Yes, you may. We strongly urge that you involve your children in some way, either by individual commitment or by their participation in the family giving. Q13. I already tithe to the General Budget and feel like that is all I can do. Am I wrong? A. Only you and the Lord can decide how much you can give. This program has been designed so that everyone can give something, no matter what the size. Our goal is equal sacrifice, not equal gifts. If each one does as God directs, then victory is assured. Q14. Can I divide my current giving between the General Budget and the Capital Campaign? A. We strongly encourage you to make your commitment "over and above" any other giving to our church. The ministries and missions that we currently support still need to be funded. We ask that you not transfer current giving to the Capital Campaign. Q15. Will God help me make a commitment which right now seems beyond my means? A. Making a commitment that you know for certain is unrealistic might be detrimental to you and to the church. However, sometimes things that seem beyond reach are actually closer than they appear! Priorities may need to be rearranged in order to participate at a sacrificial level. Q16. Do I have flexibility in making my financial commitment? A. Yes, there are three general categories under which you can make your commitment: 1. Immediate gifts from accumulated cash. 2. Regular weekly or monthly gifts of a specified amount over the next three years. 3. Non-cash assets such as property, stocks, bonds, etc. Q17. May I give assets other than cash? A. Yes. There may be tremendous tax advantages to giving assets other than cash. One of the members of our committee will be happy to discuss this with you, or you may choose to consult with your personal tax advisor. Q18. Can I designate my gift to a specific area or portion of the project? A. Until the campaign is complete, we will not know what revisions (if any) need to be made to the building plans, how much we may need to borrow, or what extras can be added. For those reasons we ask that you not limit your gift by designating it to an area or purpose that is not part of the present plan. THE COMMITMENT PROCESS Q19. When and where will the commitments be made? A. Most commitments will be made on Commitment Sunday, May 6, 2018, during our church services; however, leaders will give theirs to Tara Watts on or before April 22, 2018. Q20. How will commitments be received? A. Your financial commitment will be placed in a sealed envelope so that the confidentiality of your commitment can be maintained. Q21. Why do I need to make my commitment in writing? A. The total amount of the commitments will be used to forecast future income and to establish a realistic construction budget and a timetable. Q22. Why is my name requested on the Commitment Card? A. We assume that if you make a commitment in good faith, relying upon God to help you meet it, you will complete it without any further contact from church leaders. However, there are some very practical reasons for having names on commitments: 1. Confusion. Sometimes there may be confusion when interpreting a Commitment Card. Having a name allows the person tabulating the commitments to get the issue clarified before reporting totals to the congregation. 2. Loan Requirements. If your project funding plan requires bank financing, it’s not unusual for the lender to ask whether the church has signed pledges in hand (unsigned pledges would be less positive for the lender). 3. People Forget. Over the course of a three-year timeframe, it is not unusual for a few people to lose or misplace the personal copy of their commitment. Without names, it is impossible to provide a reminder to anyone even at their own request. 4. Pledge Validation. The church needs to know that the pledge is valid. Strange as it might seem, there have been known instances where a well-meaning teenager mistakenly completed a large pledge with dire consequences to the church campaign. Without names, you have no way of knowing whether the pledge has validity. Q23. How will the commitments be reported? A. Your sealed Commitment Card will be received and opened by Tara Watts. A total dollar amount of all commitments will be reported to the congregation. Q24. Will I be asked to publically state my commitment? A. Absolutely not! Your commitment is a private matter between you and God. We will not make these commitments a matter of public knowledge in any way, shape, or form. Q25. If I should fall behind, will the church take steps to make me pay? A. We will most certainly not take any action to collect on a voluntary financial commitment. Our purpose in this Campaign is to provide adequate facilities so that we can continue to make forward progress in accomplishing the mission of our church. We are simply asking that you pray and seek God's guidance as to what He would have you commit to Him. We have provided Commitment Cards for us to plan wisely. Q26. When am I supposed to start giving toward my commitment? A. We anticipate giving toward commitments to begin on Celebration Sunday, May 20, 2018. Of course we recognize that not everyone receives a weekly paycheck. Therefore, you may begin honoring your commitment based upon the timing that you designate on your Commitment Card and according to your income schedule. Q27. Will I have opportunity to revise my commitment? A. Certainly, since this is a commitment between you and the Lord, you have opportunity to revise your commitment. It would be helpful if changes could be communicated in a written manner so church leadership can revise their projections. |
