Questions
1) What do you mean by a capital campaign? Why does it last three years?
A capital campaign in a church is an opportunity to give our time, resources and skills to achieve a particular goal that will have a long term impact on the congregation's ministry. Most often it entails new construction, renovation, debt reduction or a missional project.
It typically lasts three years because studies have shown that two years isn't long enough for people to stretch for a significant gift and enthusiasm tends to wane as campaigns go into a fourth year.
2) Why hire a consultant? Couldn't we do this ourselves?
We could do this ourselves but research shows that churches that use a consultant typically have an almost 25% better response. Also, self-directed campaigns tend to wear out the church's leaders. RSI is probably the most well respected stewardship consultant in the country and Craig Miller, our consultant has connected well with our pastors and leaders.
4) Considering the economic climate, is this a bad time to conduct such a campaign?
The economic climate probably will have an impact but some indicators suggest that this may well be an optimal time for such an effort. Our Commitment Sunday will be in May and the campaign will run until 2013 so we really don't know what the economy will be like then. We only know that now is the time that our leaders feel called by God to present this journey.
7) Will this impact the endowment?
The endowment and this campaign are two separate things. Our endowment is a relatively new part of our church's financial program and we are still setting up how it will be maintained and what its use will be. Both the endowment and this campaign will help provide a firm financial foundation now and into the future.
8) How can children and youth be involved?
RSI has included the children and youth in the program they provide. Members of our leadership team are responsible especially for leading our children and youth. This is a great opportunity to teach our children to be good stewards.
10) What if we are unsuccessful?
The real question at this point seems to be "what if we are successful?" If we pray, participate, follow the plan and obey God's call the results will be up to God.
