Walking Through the Mine Fields of Project Development Mark Brooks Founder and President The Charis Group

Mistakes that churches and Christian leaders make Not starting soon enough Single Focused vs. Multi-focused Premature launch The Lone Ranger mentality

Mistakes that churches and Christian leaders make Going cheap Funding fantasies A design that does not fit A vision that does not inspire

Three Primary Areas of Focus Project Financing Funding

These Factors Need to Be in Your Thinking Economy factor –Pledges will be less –Banks are taking longer Bird in the hand factor Momentum factor History factor

Purpose of a Capital Campaign Communicate the Vision Envision how ministry will be advanced Provides opportunity to give cheerfully

Objectives of a Capital Campaign Spiritual Growth Financial resources Clarify vision Build/Strengthen relationships Celebrate God’s blessing

Biblical Basis I Chronicles 29 – David raises the funds to build the temple II Corinthians 8 & 9 – Paul raises funds for the poor

Keys to Success Vision Casting Prayer Set the pace with leaders Solicit willing givers

Pitfalls to Avoid Avoid a premature launch of the campaign Avoid inexperience in the unique process of capital campaigning Avoid tactical strategies that violate the ministry’s value system or style

LEADERSHIP SUPPORT Leadership Summit Meeting - Make Insiders of Leaders - Cast Vision - Connect Project/Campaign to God’s Preferred Future High Capacity Strategy - Legacy Donors – Individual meetings - Key Donors – Small group settings Leadership Commitment Event - Vision - Link Leaders to God’s Preferred Future - Challenge - Commitment Vision Alignment Objectives -Clarify vision of campaign -Establish time line of campaign -Financial analysis -Probe leaders and congregations awareness of need and willingness to sacrifice through Assessment Study -Establish communication points -Establish campaign plan Congregation Vision Sunday Launches campaign Message Series Communicates: Let’s Embrace What God is Doing Let’s Move Beyond What We Can Afford and Respond in Faith Let’s Trust God to Expand Our Scope of Reach Commitment Sunday Follow Up Assessment and Evaluation - Financial Analysis of giving - Giving emphasis Strategic Plan established -Focus on Core -Encouraging Undecided -Bringing on new members Strategic Plan reviewed and refined Two to Three MonthsThree to Six monthsFour to Six weeksThree years Follow Up Typical Campaign Time Line Leadership SupportVision AlignmentCongregational Commitment

The most important factor for you to consider… The God Factor “Unless the Lord builds the house…” “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

A businessman from Michigan said about whether his church should build the new sanctuary given the economic climate of Michigan… “This has been the worst three years of business for me in the last thirty. Yet I think that as people are hurting they will be looking for some place for an answer. We must build this building to be ready to meet that need!”

Walking Through the Mine Fields of Project Development Mark Brooks Founder and President The Charis Group