Capital campaigns can save churches money

Have you been trying to raise money for a church construction project without reaching your desired results?
   
Do you see the need for church expansion but have no idea where you will get the money to build?
   
With a simple concept design of your facility and some professional assistance, you may be able to raise up to two times last year’s non-designated income over the next three years through a capital fundraising program.
   
This intensive giving campaign, which calls for a church congregation to give sacrificially for a three-year period after a three-month churchwide emphasis, allows churches to save money in the building process.
   
“Every dollar raised in the effort can save two dollars in interest and pay back over the life of a 15-year loan at 12 percent interest,” said Gwenn McCormick, author of “Planning and Building Church Facilities.” “Not only does the church save the interest, but it is also freed from the burden of long-term principal payments.”
   
In addition to reducing church construction costs, capital fundraising campaigns give the congregation ownership and responsibility in the building project while allowing everyone in the congregation the opportunity to give according to their ability.
   
Through its capital funds program called Challenge to Build, the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions office of Cooperative Program (CP)/stewardship development has helped hundreds of churches finance their construction projects throughout the past 24 years.
   
John MacLaren, who directs the CP/stewardship development office, said many churches using professional assistance far exceed their expectations — two Alabama Baptist churches raised five and one-half times their income with Challenge to Build — while those that lead their own campaigns generally raise 25 percent less money.
   
MacLaren further explained that employing consultants allows the benefit of their experience with many churches of different sizes and their knowledge of handling sensitive situations that would be difficult for church members to resolve.
   
Despite the benefits of intensive giving campaigns, many Alabama Baptist churches do not attempt this fundraising method thinking that it is reserved for large churches, but MacLaren calls this a common misconception.
   
“Any size church can do it,” he said. “The smallest one that I’ve done had only 15 families.”
Calvin Kelly, pastor of Valleydale Baptist Church, Birmingham, agrees that churches should employ the services of a qualified professional in the area of capital campaigns.
   
Also, he added, “see that the resources for projects are really Gods and that He wants his people to be the conduit for these funds. 
   
“This is different from fundraising which is asking people not directly involved (no ownership of the project) to give money,” Kelly said.
   
“Capital campaigns ask people to give by revelation, not by reason.  An outsider will be much more effective in communicating this message to the key leaders than the pastor will,” he continued. “Also, a professional will have the benefit of dozens, even hundreds, of churches compared to the limited experience of the local church pastor.”
   
MacLaren feels that the key to a successful campaign is the attitude of the church congregation.
   
“When people want to do something and they feel that this is what God wants them to do (and) they are willing to commit to do that, they’re going to be successful,” MacLaren said.
   
McCormick also links fundraising success to the church’s level of concern. “The amount raised is usually related to the sense of priority the congregation feels about the proposed building,” he said.
   
“In most instances, the highest priority is given to a worship center. The next is given to educational space, followed closely by fellowship space.”