1. “To Build or Not to Build” by Rev. Dr. Lane R. Seitz, President Our Savior Lutheran Church Eyota, MN Tuesday, September 27, 2011

2. Thank You For the opportunity to visit with you tonight For the opportunity to share some insights with you For the opportunity to challenge you as you think about the future For the opportunity to support your congregation as you go forward NOT here to tell you what to do!

3. The Path You Have Traveled So Far Purchased a second site –Outstanding location! –It’s all about location, location, location! Planned for a Family Life Center Expanded your vision to build a new church complex on the second site Cost: $1.7 million – a daunting amount!

4. The Path You Have Traveled So Far (cont.) Capital Campaign –Total number of pledging units = 57 –Total amount of pledges = $297,570 –Total amount received to date = $235,748 –Total amount pledged in labor = $50,000 –Grand total in cash and labor = $285,748 –Culmination of campaign = December 31, 2011

5. The Path You Have Traveled So Far (cont.) Report on Pledges –10 giving units have completed their pledge –29 are still contributing toward their pledge –1 will donate labor (estimated at $50,000) –14 have given more than their pledge!! –3 have not given to their pledge yet

6. Assessment of Building Campaign Outstanding results from your capital campaign!!! Number who have completed their pledge Number actively giving to fulfill their pledge Number who have given more than their pledge!!!! Number who have not fulfilled their pledge yet - LOW

7. Where Do You Stand Financially? Checking = $12,347 Savings = $11,525 Savings = $40,280 Capital Fund Campaign (after expenses) = $226,187 Total cash available = $290,339

8. Where Do You Stand? (cont.) Sale of present building = $150,000 (?) Cash on hand for building = $250,000 Savings using Laborers for Christ (10% - 30% of construction cost) = $250,000 (?) Donated labor by members = $50,000 (?) Construction plans (paid) = $100,000 LCEF loan = $500,000 - $750,000 Realistic building program = $1.2-1.5 million

9. Options to Consider Wait until you have all the money you need to build - in the bank Have another building fund campaign, hoping to raise enough money to build soon Scale back on your plans so that you can build now (may result in additional cost for work on plans) Build in phases

10. Items to Consider If you have a building fund campaign, but don’t build, you lose credibility with contributors. They want to see dirt being turned and studs sticking up in the air. Building creates excitement in a congregation. Something positive is happening!

11. Items to Consider (cont.) People tend to give better once construction has actually started. A building campaign done in conjunction with construction tends to do well Building sends a message to the community. There is something positive happening at Our Savior’s.

12. Items to Consider (cont.) Building, as you planned with a gym, will send a strong message to the community – We are truly a family-oriented church. Depending on how you use it, you can be viewed as “community-friendly” In my opinion, a gym needs to be viewed as an outreach tool. –How will you use it? –Who will be in charge?

13. Uses for a Gym Open community nights After school activities Sport events –Basketball –Volleyball –Others Youth events Concerts

14. Our Savior’s Fork in the Road Yogi Berra once said, “When you get to a fork in the road, take it.” What is Our Savior’s fork in the road? Build Wait

15. What’s the Risk? The risk in building? –Will we qualify for a mortgage –Will we be able to pay the mortgage? The risk in not building? –Costs will increase making the building always seem “out of reach” –Missed opportunity to reach your community

16. What will it take to build – now or in the future? Money –LOTS OF IT! –Count the cost Faith –Building doesn’t just depend on the members of Our Savior’s –Psalm 127:1-2 –What does God want you to do?

17. What will it take to build – now or in the future? Commitment to the Future Average age of a Christian congregation = 70 Our Savior’s was organized in 1949 - 62 years old Robert Dale –To Dream Again –Keeping the Dream Alive What will Our Savior’s look like in 2020 – 2030 – 2040?

18. What will it take to build – now or in the future? (cont.) Commitment to God’s mission –Matthew 28:19-20 –Not called to a life of ease and playing it safe –Called to “reach the lost” AND “build up the saved” –Not either/or, but instead both/and How much elasticity is there in the congregation –Building will “stretch” you!

19. So, how will you decide?