To some, $4.4 million may seem an insurmountable goal. Yet we believe this is the capital campaign God has called us to undertake—a prudent investment in kingdom work that by the grace of God is also a reachable goal for Tenth Church. In contemplating your role in the capital campaign, consider the following:
1. Everyone plays a role. It should come as no surprise that the congregation’s tithes to cover our annual expenses are unequally distributed. However, every contribution is necessary for us to fulfill our ministry commitments. The same will be true in this campaign. Everyone’s commitment, regardless of the size, will be necessary for us to meet our goals. A successful campaign does not require equal gifts from all, but it does require equal sacrifice.
2. This is a spiritual journey. The campaign is first and foremost a spiritual process. We know from Scripture that Jesus honors sacrificial and cheerful giving. We believe that giving to this capital campaign will result in spiritual growth and maturity. Investing in the future with our gifts today allows us to seek God’s work in our lives both individually and corporately as a church community.
3. Committing to the capital campaign should not replace our regular offerings. By definition, a capital campaign is a season of extraordinary financial giving in which—in addition to making regular tithes and offerings from their income—the people of God make a corporate, cheerful, and prayerful financial commitment to advance the gospel mission of the church.
There are many ways to give, such as designating Tenth in your will, donating stocks, bonds or mutual funds, or giving through charitable annuities. We will be providing more specific information about noncheckbook giving as the capital campaign approaches. Regardless of how we give, we should remember that everything we possess is the Lord’s and that we are only returning a portion of the resources of which God has made us stewards.
Prayerfully consider ways in which you might make a commitment that includes giving from monies regularly spent on non-necessities. Do you really need the latest electronic gadget? Can you forgo your purchase of the $4.00 gourmet coffee twice a week? How about “bagging” your lunch or cooking a meal rather than ordering take-out? Is there an outing or vacation that your family would be willing to sacrifice? Can you increase your tithe to 10%, 15%, or even 20%? When we honestly examine our spending habits, we can appreciate the wealth of disposable income with which the Lord has blessed us.
Campaign Timeline
January 27, 2008: Congregational Meeting to seek approval for the Capital Campaign (an information packet was mailed to every member this past week and a Congregational Forum will be held on January 20).
Assuming the campaign is approved by the congregation, the following additional activities are planned:
- January–March: Provide information through events and communications so that members can learn more about the campaign and prayerfully determine their level of participation.
- March 30–April 20: Personal and public preparation for the campaign, including biblical messages and a devotional study guide
- April 20: Commitment Sunday—Congregation makes financial commitments to the campaign
- May 18: Celebration Sunday—Communicate to the congregation what the Lord has done through his people in enabling us to achieve our God-given mission
- May 2008–May 2010: Provide ongoing followup so that members can track their commitments and be informed about status of projects
