Projects & Costs, Part 2

The Capital Campaign Committee is preparing a recommendation to be brought to the congregation in early 2008. Continuing from last week, this week we address a frequently asked question as well as introduce one of the capital projects.

Key Question: “What projects support our vision, and what is our investment?” As outlined below, the campaign will include six projects and the total goal is anticipated to be approximately $4.4 million.

Build a Fellowship of Kingdom-Minded Disciples

• Preserve and improve our existing facilities ($1,500,000)
• Install an elevator ($1,420,000)
• Install a state-of-the-art digital organ ($220,000)

Reach Center City and Evangelize Philadelphia

• Explore options to expand our ministry outreach by funding a property acquisition reserve account ($400,000)
• Establish daughter churches and support presbytery church plants ($350,000*)

Multiply Gospel Ministry to the World

• Bring the gospel to people groups in other places around the world ($350,000*)

*This amount represents a tithe of anticipated direct capital project expenses; an additional $130,000 is allocated for campaign expenses such as administration, communication, and consultants.

Project of the Week: Renovate Existing Facilities $1,500,000
Since the first worship service in this building in 1856, God’s people have gathered at this location generation after generation. By God’s providence this building has been preserved so that we are now strategically situated to pursue our mission of reaching Center City and evangelizing Philadelphia.

In recent years we have undertaken stewardship projects—like installing a 100-year roof—to preserve the building given to us by the preceding generation. However, the interior shows increasing wear and tear and our support facilities, like the kitchen, are in desperate need of upgrading.

Now is the time to prepare the building to be handed to the next generation in a condition that will enable the church to continue its work. The goal is not ostentatious opulence, but rather to create an appropriate environment for worship and ministry. We want to facilitate these activities, not distract from them. We undertake this responsibility with the same vision as Tenth’s founders so that another generation does not have to finance work that will soon be more urgent and more costly.

To that end, this project will preserve and improve our existing facilities while maintaining a standard of excellence that is in keeping with our total ministry. Included in this project are the following main improvements: 1) new flooring, sound system, and lighting in the sanctuary, 2) reconfigured choir loft and renovated tower office above the music office, 3) new bathrooms and carpets in the Catacombs, and 4) a new kitchen and sound system for Fellowship Hall.

Why Now? Part 1

The Capital Campaign Committee is preparing a recommendation to be brought to the congregation in early 2008. In the meantime, this communication marks the beginning of a weekly series of bulletin inserts giving further information on each of the six major campaign
projects and answering questions you may have about the proposed campaign. Written by Rev. Marion Clark, this first piece introduces the campaign by answering the question, “Why now?”

In early 1852, Tenth’s Dr. Henry Augustus Boardman met with several members to discuss founding a daughter church. Believing the time was right, by mid-year they purchased a lot at 17th and Spruce. Then everything went wrong. They raised only half the money they needed. Soon after, the country entered a serious financial depression that lasted 1859, so what did the people do? They moved forward in faith. The cornerstone was laid in 1855, and by May of the following year, the colony of 36 people began worship. The sanctuary they built back then is the one we worship in today. What vision they had!

Yet, think about this: as large as it was, their vision was too small! Today, the sanctuary holds barely half of Tenth’s membership. The only reason we can crowd the numbers who come for worship, study, fellowship, and ministry is that a previous generation bought the Delancey Building and dug out the Catacombs. What would we do if our own generation had not purchased the 315 Building, which is used every Sunday for Christian education, ministry activities, and worship? Yet still we do not have enough space. Our vision, too, needs to grow.

Because of our space constraints, we tell our ministries to hold back precisely at the time Center City is growing rapidly. We watch opportunities to advance the kingdom pass us by when we should be winning our neighbors into our doors. At present we are unable to accommodate all of the adult classes wanting to meet, and the international service is spilling out into the hallways.

At the same time, there are opportunities all around us. The population of Center City continues its strong growth. Every building space possible is being converted to residences; all open space is being taken for the same purpose. Young people and empty nesters are moving in by the thousands. It is now that our Center City community is experiencing a renaissance, and we are in the middle of it. Now is the time to win our new neighbors into our doors.

Still, some may wonder if now is the time to act, since our giving is behind. Yet, where in Scripture did God command his people to wait until they were secure before they acted? This is the God who commanded Gideon to reduce his military to a handful of men before sending them against a mighty army. Now, when we cannot look to our excess to assure us, is when we should step out to commit what we cannot see.

Now is the time we should act on the vision we believe God has given us, not at some unknown future point. Each project of the proposed campaign is needed, and each serves the purpose of
advancing our God-given mission. Are we to be a Gideon who demands greater signs to build confidence? We have planned with care; we have bathed all in prayer; we have surveyed; we have dialogued. Now is the time to commit.

For further perspective on the proposed campaign, watch Marion’s blog at www.marionclark.blogspot.com. If you have questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact any of the following committee members:

Marion Clark mclark@tenth.org 215.735.7688x245
Brian Esterly brian.esterly@rcn.com 215.498.5687
Philip Ryken pryken@tenth.org 215.735.7688x244
Elmer Snethen esnethen@cantol.com 856.722.0630