By Richard Blackmon

I was in the pastorate for some years before I joined RSI as a capital campaign consultant, so I’ve been close to many pastors during capital campaigns. More often than not, they became nervous at the mention of a capital campaign. Rightfully so, as the impact of a campaign for the church is immediately known and felt.

On the plus side, the ministry and mission of the church expand. On the other hand, the fear of the unknown is always a concern for those who’ve never attempted a capital campaign. Some of their unvoiced concerns are:

• Will this campaign affect our annual stewardship?
• Will the school campaign drain energy from the leadership, drawing focus away from the vision of the church and its ministry?
• What will be the impact of the school’s campaign on our next capital campaign?

The good news is that a campaign for a Christian school can be a win-win proposition for local churches. Christian schools and local churches share an aspect of their vision: Both desire for the Gospel to be shared through their respective institutions, albeit through different mediums. Neither the church nor the school seeks to replace the other; rather, their missions are complementary. Having strong, growing, fully resourced churches and schools is advantageous to both organizations. The church sustains worship, fellowship, discipleship and Christian education through community. The school provides education and spiritual formation in a learning environment. The benefits of churches and schools partnering are well-known. For centuries, schools have been founded, promoted and housed by churches because of their shared vision.

A win-win situation exists for this partnership between schools and churches due to a great diversity of gifts and wealth within the community. There are many Christians blessed with deep financial resources. Depending on the community, the wealth of these individuals varies. Depending upon their net worth, they’re often able to give more than they tithe and pledge to the local church. Giving beyond a certain level to the local church would damage its stewardship. The church should not depend on the gifts of one or two; rather, it should receive the gifts of all people based on the Lord’s calling. Individuals and families who are able to give more than they tithe and pledge to the local church usually retain a deep longing to give. Historically, these people of significant giving capacity have given to important organizations such as the United Way, the Red Cross, universities and hospitals, to name only a few. Today, Christian schools — secondary, colleges and universities, and seminaries — provide another opportunity for these stewards to share their wealth.

The average Christian donor in America is asked 20 to 25 times a year to support a not-for-profit cause. Typically, each will make a commitment to only two or three. The local church is No. 1.What will the others be?

The presence of a capital campaign that funds ministry beyond the walls of the church is not to be feared. Rather, it’s an occasion to shape the two or three causes that people support in addition to their churches.

Some of the church’s ministries simply cannot be sustained by the local church congregation alone. One prime example is the seminary. Seminaries are critical to the life and health of the church universal. They educate, train and encourage talented individuals in the professional ministry. Seminaries guide our preachers, train our counselors and advise our leaders. It would be neither wise nor feasible for each local congregation to support its own seminary. Rather, congregations come together to attract the scholars and pastors with the gifts of teaching and mentorship.

Together they sustain a learning environment where students and leaders converge to train for the ministry. A local school campaign is an ideal opportunity for individuals with great capacity to give to an important ministry that truly complements the church.

In my experience as a consultant with thousands of Christian churches across the country, I don’t find that a capital campaign for the local Christian school adversely affects the church. Rather, it provides an opportunity for individuals with great financial resources to make a contribution to a ministry about which they care deeply. These individuals support the church and its mission first. However, they’re often left with a deep desire to give, in turn, to other ministries that serve the Kingdom. Partnering with a local Christian school to support a campaign can be a win-win opportunity for both the church and school.

Richard Blackmon is the president of RSI Institutional Services Group. Since he joined RSI in 1992, he has personally led many capital stewardship campaigns, developing faithful stewards and enhancing organizational effectiveness. Reach him at contactblackmon@viscern.com, or visit www.rsi.viscern.com.