In the life of every growing church, there is a time when it becomes necessary to expand the facilities. Increasing ministry space positions a congregation to maintain and develop ministries that will allow the church to reach more people for the Kingdom. While it is at the heart of every church that people find and follow God, it is crucial that a church is ready before embarking on an expansion project.

As increased ministry space is being developed, it is most common that a church will borrow and raise monies to finance the expansion. Combining these two financing methods allows a church to maximize available funds for the project. Many things should be carefully considered when researching financing options. For example: there are government-mandated guidelines for the maximum amount of money a church can borrow from a lending institution; there is an ideal time to borrow for construction financing and permanent financing; and, there is a way to determine when a church is ready to raise monies through a capital stewardship campaign.

A capital stewardship campaign is an organized effort to lead a congregation in raising the funds necessary to complete a project. The effort is highlighted by an all-church prayer emphasis, printed information, and teachings of stewardship as church families determine God’s will for their spiritual and financial commitment.

Some churches use a survey to determine the readiness of the congregation for a capital stewardship campaign. Whether a church chooses to use a survey or not, knowing you are ready for a capital stewardship campaign is tied to seven things. You must be able to:

1. Clearly Identify the Church’s Vision

Church leaders need to clearly explain the specific purpose of their church’s ministry and be able to affirm that God is both blessing the church and leading the church into the future. People are willing to prayerfully consider sacrificing financially – contributing over and above their regular giving – for an identified period of time, when they see God at work in their church. Identify the church’s history and affirm what God intends for the church to become.

2. Build Upon Trusted Leadership

Have you made effective, God-inspired decisions in the past? Are you positioned to say, "God is leading us to...?" Will the church families follow your/God’s direction? When church families know their leaders are led by God and have experienced effective past leadership decisions, they will take seriously the decision to increase their giving. They will trust that the sacrificial gifts will be used for their intended purpose, ultimately advancing the Kingdom of God. Thank God for past leadership successes.

3. Explain How the Project Supports the Vision

Be able to share publicly the advancements that will be made to your existing ministry facility. Give the details of ministries that can be maintained and expanded through the use of the new facility. Create and distribute printed information about the facility developments and how the new ministries will impact people’s lives. Church families make financial commitments when they can understand the value of the project. Explain how the project is in direct support of what God intends for the church to become (vision).

4. Develop an Accurate Cost Estimation

There is a big difference between having to share with church families about unforeseen project costs that could not have been anticipated, and the failure of your project team to properly plan for financing the project. Families will be reluctant to pledge above their regular giving if they don’t feel like the project can be completed or if the project changes significantly during the campaign. Be prepared to communicate an accurate cost estimation for the project.

5. Consider the Capacity for Response

Understand that there are two things to consider when setting your capital stewardship campaign goals: your church families’ giving capacity and the type of project. Some churches do not have large donors. Some churches are made up largely of families with fixed incomes. The capacity to give will impact the amount of money both pledged and given. Also, the type of project will impact the pledge response. A capital stewardship campaign for the sole purpose of debt service (helping to make your loan payment) will have a lower pledge total than raising monies for much-needed, single-use, worship space. Plan your project budget carefully. It will be very discouraging to church families if your church meets the sacrificial giving goals and the project cannot be completed.

6. Design Your Campaign

When determining to use an outside ministry to help direct your campaign, remember that your church is unique. No two churches are alike. And, just because a consultant or campaign ministry was successful in directing a campaign in a church similar to yours, it does not guarantee the same response for your church. Select the right consultant who, along with your input, will design a campaign that complements your church’s personality, methodology and leadership style.

7. Leave Room for God

Approach the campaign in faith. Trust God to direct you to design the best campaign plan for your church. Trust God to lead you through the prayerfully determined process. And, trust God to provide for the financial needs of your project.

William C. Leathem is the national director of Strongtower Stewardship (www.strongtowerstewardship.com) and the chief administrative officer of Strongtower Financial (www.strongtowerfinancial.com). He joined the firm seven years ago, after 21 years in church ministry as an ordained pastor. Reach him by calling 800.333.9893, ext. 174, or by e-mail at bleathem@strongtowerstewardship.com.