Q & A | Boldly Capital Campaign

What is a capital campaign and why do we need a capital campaign?
A capital campaign is a focused, organized financial effort to raise funds for a ministry project. On August 14, 2011, the members of Spring Run voted unanimously to sign a Letter of Intent to purchase Woodlake United Methodist Church which is located just off Hull Street at the front entrance of Woodlake.

What is the total project need and what is our campaign goal?
The total project need is $1,950,000. This includes purchase price, closing fees, and improvement costs. Our three-year campaign goal is to raise at least $750,000 over and above our general fund giving. We will use our cash savings and a mortgage for the balance needed to acquire this property.

Is this campaign goal different from this summer?
During the summer we set out an example of a funding strategy. In that scenario we thought we could raise $650,000 over 2 years. The officers, with the advice of our campaign consultant, have since decided that a 3 year campaign with a goal of at least $750,000 better fits our situation because it requires incurring less debt and we think it is achievable.

What is our campaign theme and what does it mean?
BOLDLY moving forward, growing followers exposes our fear and moves us to ask God to grow our faith. The bible often tells us to not be afraid, but to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9), to pray with boldness (Luke 11:8) and to boldly share the gospel (Ephesians 6:19-20). So we are BOLDLY moving forward, growing followers.

Who is leading the campaign?
A Steering Committee of 20 volunteers under the oversight of the church officers is leading the campaign. Shaun Sheppard is the Executive Director of the Steering Committee and is working with Larry Armentrout, our consultant from Generis.

What are the major campaign dates?
September 25 to October 16 – lifestyle stewardship study series and prayer
October 9 – distribution of packets on this information Sunday
October 16 – Pacesetter gathering for anyone ready to make early commitments
October 30 – Share the Dream Sunday when everyone returns their commitment cards during our worship service.
November 20 – First-fruits Sunday when giving begins

What should I be doing?
Attend our worship services and get involved in a small group because our sincere desire for this campaign is to make us more spiritually aware as growing followers of Jesus. So we are asking everyone to commit to 4 weeks of devoted prayer and study to cultivate generosity within each of us. We are excited to hear stories about how God is growing followers and moving us forward.
Be willing to volunteer when asked to help with our BOLDLY campaign.
Continue inviting and connecting your friends and neighbors to our church through small groups, special events, and the worship service.

When are we planning to purchase?
We plan to sign a purchase agreement in February and close on the property on or about March 31, 2012. As WUMC builds their new campus they will lease back the facility from us. We will move into our new church home in August 2013.

Why not build a building?
The Facilities Development Team seriously considered building our own facility. After consultation with our architect we realized the cost of building a facility to meet our needs would be substantially more expensive than buying an existing building. We also like the idea of re-using a building in the community.

Who will benefit from the building?
While everyone who is part of Spring Run will benefit from this building, we will strive to have the surrounding community benefit from the building. Being good stewards of it means that it is God’s building for us to use for the good of his church and this community.

Isn’t this a bad time for a capital campaign?
Given the economic landscape it is not an easy time for a campaign. On the other hand, as we look at the bible God often works in the hardest of times to do some of the most amazing things (consider Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel, and the disciples as examples). We expect the Spirit of God to move in us to grow our faith as followers of Jesus.

What kind of commitment will I be asked to make?
We recognize that most of us do not have a family meeting at the end of the year to figure out how to spend all the extra money we have. The commitment we ask for is to pray asking God to show you what he wants you to do to accomplish his plans for Spring Run. Reaching our financial goal will require sacrificial and generous giving for a 3 year period to this campaign.

What are the next steps in the campaign?
Our sincere desire is for this campaign to make us more spiritually aware as growing followers of Jesus. So we are asking everyone to commit to 4 weeks of devoted prayer and study to cultivate generosity within each of us. I look forward to the stories people will tell about how God is growing their faith.

What is the purpose of the commitment cards?
Our church is facing a very large financial endeavor. To use our financial resources wisely we must have an accurate indication of our cash flow for the immediate future. Completed commitment cards enable our church leaders to make wise decisions.

When do commitments begin?
Everyone is encouraged to give as much of their three-year commitment as possible on this First Fruits Sunday.

I don’t know the future, what if I can’t fulfill my commitment?
You are right. None of us know the future. We ask only that you pray and let God lead you to a sacrificial commitment. If your circumstances change, you will be expected to
revise your commitment accordingly. This is not an invitation to bondage but to faith and commitment.

Will my commitment be made public?
No! As with all church receipts, commitments will be confidential.

How will I give my offering to this effort?
Commitment cards and envelopes will be provided for your use. This will help ensure that your gifts go where you intend them.

How can I know what to commit?
The key ingredients of a worthy commitment are prayer, sacrifice, and faith. These three guideposts will lead you to the right decision.

When and where will commitments be made?
Please record your commitment in the setting where you are most comfortable. Some may complete their commitment cards at the dessert on October 16th. Others may choose to receive their card through the mail and complete it in the privacy of their home. They can mail it to the church office or bring it to Share the Dream Sunday on October 30th.

How should I give my offerings over the next three years?
That is your decision. Most of our people will give weekly or monthly, and some will give quarterly or annually.

Can I give something other than cash?
There can be significant tax benefits to giving property, stocks, bonds, or other appreciated assets. Our church may be able to provide professional guidance for you at your request.

Can I reduce my tithes to the general fund in order to give toward the capital campaign building fund?
NO. The strategy to accomplish this depends on BOTH a strong general fund that can assume mortgage payments and a strong building fund. Think of it like a train going down the track to arrive at the station (in this case a church building). If you remove either of the rails on the track then the train will not get to the station. It needs both rails to work. We need both strong general fund giving and building fund giving.

Can the campaign giving be done on BillPay through my financial institution?
Yes, you can have BillPay send regular checks towards your commitment through your financial institution. Please ensure that the check is made payable to Spring Run Presbyterian Capital Campaign and include “capital campaign” in the memo area. Checks should be mailed to the church office.

What is our church’s view on debt?

We did present some information regarding this in the June 19th congregational meeting. The slides of which are posted on the BOLDLY website.

You can read the complete paper produced by the session (the elders) of the church under the resources section of the BOLDLY website. It is not an exhaustive study on debt but was done over time and with much prayer especially as it related to finding property and a facility.

What is the biblical view on surety (guarantee)?
The book of Proverbs raises questions and offers warnings. Let’s look at some examples.
Proverbs 11:15 - He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.
Proverbs 17:18 - A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.
Proverbs 22:26 - Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

Proverbs is a wisdom book meaning that the principles given are general in nature and to be applied by the wise. They are not guarantees, nor do things always happen the way the proverbs say. For example, Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Always? Some individuals have made great plans on their own and succeeded. Many boards have made plans that have been disastrous. The point is we need to listen to the wisdom and apply it to life. Clearly we need to be very careful about sureties since there is a risk. But Proverbs 22:26 makes it clear the risk is in the event that you “lack the means to pay.”

A surety is a form of a loan. It is the willingness to give money if so needed. The Bible does not prohibit this and in some cases commends it.
Psalm 112:5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.

The Bible is careful to protect the poor from abuse by creditors. That is why it instructs one lending money not to take collateral if it would prevent a person from being able to eat.
Deuteronomy 24:6 "No one shall take a mill or an upper millstone in pledge, for that would be taking a life in pledge.

So the scriptures tell us it is a blessing to be able to lend someone money when they have need, and they instruct us to use wisdom when loaning or borrowing money. Since the Bible does not prohibit this, we are moving forward and believe we are exercising wisdom as proverbs instructs us to do. So there are two questions related to these scriptures and our situation with this building purchase.

One question is: “Does taking a loan for this amount require collateral that would prevent our staff from being able to eat?” I think the answer is “no, it does not.” As with any loan there is risk but we don’t believe this endangers the livelihood of our staff. We have taken a similar risk before. When we started this church we signed a lease for 2 years for office space. There was some risk and we prayed that God would grow this church. He has. We will continue to pray for God’s blessing of growing his church for his glory.

The other related question is: “Do we have the means to pay the mortgage?” We (the deacons and elders) believe that in our situation we are applying wisdom because we do not think our loan amount (roughly $1 million) is excessive in relation to either the total value of the property ($1.8 million) or to our ability to pay the mortgage. We estimate that our general fund giving will need to be at $400,000 annually in order to pay the mortgage on the property. Our general fund targeted income this fiscal year is $340,000 (ending in June 2012). We will not have to begin assuming full responsibility for the mortgage until the summer of 2013. We expect our annual budget to increase as historical trends indicate. It will be tight and we have known that all along. For that reason and with wisdom the deacons and elders have decided to hold in reserve enough money to service our mortgage for a full year.

Another question is: “If we have the means to pay then why does another church have to sign as a guarantee for up to $200,000?” Church loans are very different than other loans. Two things that work in favor of loaning a church money are the age of the church and previous success with capital campaigns. Since our church only has a five year giving history and no prior campaigns we don’t score well on those criteria. Having another church co-sign provides the stability of longevity that gives the bank confidence. Furthermore, the church that planted us has seen our financial statements and also believes it is reasonable and has been done with wisdom. That is why they are confident enough to guarantee up to $200,000 of our loan.

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