11 WAYS TO SUPPORT STEWARDSHIP FOR YOUR CHURCH #8    

 

            I have been away for many reasons from this blog but am committed to restarting. We continuing sharing about the VANCO stewardship booklet on the 11 Ways to support stewardship for your church. This week, we are discussing Capital Campaigns.

            Often capital campaigns are used as just another type of fundraiser. They are really quite different. A fundraiser has a particular purpose and is often briefer. But a church capital campaign has more long-range goals.

            It’s not just about a new roof or new windows or an addition to the building (although these are capital things). What if, instead of talking about transactions, we talked about the church’s work and its future? As an example, it’s not just about a roof, but it’s about making the building safe for children to be tutored, or for VBS for community children, or for community meals where people who don’t have “enough” are fed, or where persons growing in their discipleship? What if?

            When lives are changed, people are motivated! Of course, replacing the roof is still a “thing” that will happen, but it’s not about the building. I know I’ve quoted these lyrics in at least one prior blog:

            The church is not a building;

the church is not a steeple;

the church is not a resting place;

the church is a people. (UMH #558)

 

Have a clear vision, and a team that can present that vision! Who are the best people that can tell the story of why this capital campaign is important. In this time. In this space. For this purpose.

 

The really cool thing about capital campaigns is that they are tangible. People can see new roofs, and new buildings, and new additions, and new windows. Easy to see. Perhaps a well-run capital campaign can not only work on the physical plan but on the future of the church and the vision of what that future could look like!

 

Set a goal. Know what it needs to be and how you got there.

There will be ranges of gifts. Vanco gave an example that if your goal was to raise $100,000, if you’re able to get 3 gifts of $5,000 and 2 gifts of $2,500, you’re 20% of the way there. There’s some motivation. Of course, small gifts are also necessary.

 

Market the campaign. Be clear and professional

 

Delegate responsibilities to your team. Have the right people in the right place.

            If you wish more information on anything you’ve been reading about, please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com or susanranous@unyumc.org.  I’d be happy to help or answer any questions.