Capital Campaigns – A Means of Grace
Spring is coming and churches are beginning to explore projects around their facilities that cost more than what’s in their Trustees budget. So, what is a church to do?
In the last month, I’ve received calls from a number of churches wanting to explore capital campaigns. They want to repair the roof, replace a parking lot, create more storage space, fix all the little things that have been building up over the years. The reasons are many and they can’t be ignored. The stress they create must be addressed. Anxiety about a capital campaign can come out in different ways. Concerns can be spoken or unspoken. So, what is a church to do? What if we started by asking some vital questions?
Why do we need this capital campaign and how does it impact our ministry?
1) Knowing your “why” is essential. Why is the work essential to the present and future ministry of your faith community? I.e. we need a new roof to ensure that this space is weather tight and safe for the groups that use this facility during the week.
2) Is the work being done for God’s purpose or the congregation’s preference?
Who are you inviting to be a part of the capital campaign?
1) Giving has three pockets:
a. day to day (general budget)
b. special gifts (capital campaigns)
c. planned gifts (intentionally planned for before or after death). People may have more in their special gifts pocket because of investments, land, or other items, than for their daily giving. You need to ask.
2) Major supporters of the general budget. Inviting them to be lead donors (making commitments before the beginning of the public phase of the campaign) with large gifts will inspire others to give. This is one of the ways they use their gifts.
3) Everyone! Give everyone, including youth, users of the facility, and widow’s mite donors the opportunity to participate. To do less is to send a message that they aren’t really a part of the family. They will choose how and if they can give.
How will this campaign help people to grow deeper in their relationship with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit?
1) It’s a means of grace. When people give to the campaign, it should be an opportunity to experience the transforming joy of giving. A capital campaign is a great time to preach, teach, and talk about the spiritual discipline of generosity.
2) It’s important to choose an applicable scripture verse/story that will guide the campaign. It is also essential that the campaign be bathed in prayer. Start praying now.
What do we need to do to share the importance of this capital campaign?
1) Stories! Tell them in worship, the newsletter, at meetings, and with the folks whom you are inviting to participate in this amazing opportunity. If you are replacing the parking lot, tell the stories of how it will provide safe entry to the facility, level ground for walking, and more.
2) Be transparent. Let the entire church know what is happening. It may raise questions or ideas that will even better serve the “why” of the campaign.
When is the best time to hold the campaign?
1) When the most people can get involved. It can be done alongside the annual finance campaign, but many consultants suggest separating the two.
2) When you have enough time to implement many of the steps listed above. Some situations require immediate action, but many can wait for the best result.
A capital campaign is not just about raising money for a project, it is inviting people to dive deeper into their faith and their response to God’s love in their lives. If you want to talk more about a capital campaign and the rich blessing it can be to your faith community, call 800-595-4347 x106 or email me.