Preparing for a Capital Campaign Dustin Cooper; Partner

Purposes for a Capital Campaign Worship Space or New Building Land Purchase Expansion of Current Facility Renovation Debt Retirement Or the most exciting reason…….. A New Boiler!!

The Truth about Campaigns A capital campaign can be one of the most meaningful and significant benchmarks of your ministry, Even if it might be stressful .

Navigating the Journey from Beginning to End “Sue Ann to the Bishop”

Your Guidebook (paragraph 2544)

Establish a Study Committee When Is A Study Committee Needed? Build a new church or expand Purchasing a building/property Remodel (if cost is more than 25% value of current facility) Who and How Many? 6 – 10 Leaders

Stamp of Approval District Superintendent and First Meeting with District Board of Church Location and Building

Church Conference #1 Purpose: Receive Study Report Appoint Building Committee (5 – 8 people)

Second Meeting with District Board of Church Location and Building Purpose: Gain Approval of: Preliminary Plans Preliminary Costs Preliminary Financial Plan

Church Conference #2 Building Committee Presents: Preliminary plans, costs and financial plan Gain approval to proceed Now you are ready to………………….

RAISE THE MONEY!!

Third Meeting with Church Location and Building Committee Goal Receive final approval for building plans and financing

Church Conference #3 FINAL APPROVAL

The First Step: Vision

“God Sized” Compelling Vision The Number One reason why people give generously and sacrificially is a clear and compelling vision “God Sized”

Vision Answers Three Questions What is God calling us to do? Why is God Calling us to _____? Why now?

Study Committee: Gather Information Consider Options Create A Plan

Remember to Listen Small groups Surveys

Make Recommendations to the First Church Conference NEXT STEP: Appoint Building Committee

Who’s on Building Committee? Representative of the church Supportive of vision and project Evaluate issues before inviting: Trustees People in building trades

Treat Building Committee as a Small Group Begin with Retreat Cast Vision Team Building Covenant

The Charge Present to the 1st Church Conference 1. Develop architectural Plans 2. Determine Estimated Costs 3. Develop Financial Plan Present to the 1st Church Conference Suggestion: Get specific approval from Charge Conference to hire appropriate experts

Create These Relationships Early!! One Year Is Not Too Early There are few things more discouraging for a church than to buy into a vision that is greater than what they can raise and/or borrow.

Enter into Relationships with Outside Counsel Architect Needs to ‘get’ your vision and budget Lending Partner Build a relationship

Enter into Relationships with Outside Counsel Stewardship Partner “The biggest cost of a campaign is not the fee paid to outside counsel but the money not raised that could have been raised”

The Interview Establish Interview Committee (4-8 people) Determine who to interview Talk to colleagues, check websites, Foundation

The Interview Schedule interviews 4-6 weeks out Beware of ‘games people play’ and ‘mud slinging’ 4. Schedule close together (same day) 1-1½ hrs with 15 minute break

The Interview Prepare questions before interview Pastor should be involved (relationship between pastor and the consultant is critical to success of campaign) Check References!!!

Communicate, Communicate Share needs/plans with congregation: Town Hall Meetings Home Meetings Receive Responses (2-Way) Provide multiple opportunities

Communicate, Communicate Benefits Cast vision and build support Value member’s input Receive feedback Safe place for questions Builds trust and confidence Develop more messengers

Conduct Second Church conference

Feasibility Study Address several important issues: Is there enough support? Conveys that the Church Leaders are listening to the congregation If multiple projects, what are the priorities?

Feasibility Study Discover if there are issues or concerns that needs attention What is the potential amount that can be raised? Builds confidence moving into a campaign

Conduct Capital Campaign Three-Year Commitment Over and Above Regular Giving “Lord, What do you want to do through me?”

After the Campaign Authorize Construction Docs Put Project to Bid Create Final Financial Plan Present to Church Building and Location Committee

(and now the fun begins!) Final Church Conference (and now the fun begins!)

Other Considerations

Timeline Study Committee 6-12 Months Building Committee 6-12 Months Campaign 4-6 Months Ch. Conf. #3 2-6 Months after capital campaign

What A Pastor Needs to Know People buy into project at different times Requires your involvement and leadership; priority for you and staff Hope vs. Fear

What A Pastor Needs to Know Your financial commitment sets the tone for campaign Communicate with your Strategist Timing of campaign: vision more critical than timing