CHURCH STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGNS

By: Clark Dickerson, President, Dickerson & Associates

When should you have a stewardship campaign?

I am often asked, "When should we have a special stewardship campaign?'  My answer has been and remains the same - even as we experience a down turn in the economy.  If you have a vision for your church - the completion of which will result in more people having a personal relationship with Jesus - and additional funding is needed to bring that vision into reality - then it is the right time to have a stewardship campaign.  We need to take steps of faith, trusting God to provide regardless of what "the world" says we should do. 

A meeting of business leaders was recently held in a southern city, where one gentleman passionately expressed the view that in these times, no one should begin major funding programs.  Later in the same program, a speaker announced that he was giving a $1 million gift to the charity to which I was providing counsel.  Our responsibility is to step forward in faith using the talents the Lord has given each of us and not be afraid to act boldly on behalf of the Lord's ministry.

 Over the past twenty-four years, I have had the privilege of providing counsel for over 250 campaigns.  In many of those years the United States was experiencing economic down turns, yet one campaign after another experienced success.

Why were these campaigns successful?  Because time and again, people came to realize they needed to step forward in faith rather than cower in fear.  Throughout the New Testament we read encouraging and inspiring words.  Philippians 4 speaks of "rejoice in the Lord always" and "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Why have a stewardship campaign?

Church stewardship campaigns are a major resource program to provide funding for the construction of new facilities, the renovation of existing facilities, the retirement of debt and/or the funding of special programs. 

A key to a successful campaign is not to place the emphasis on the project and the needed funding, but rather place the emphasis on the true purpose for which all church stewardship campaigns should be undertaken -  ministering to the surrounding neighborhoods and beyond.

Stewardship campaigns should not be about more comfortable seating on Sunday, but rather how the campaign fits into the ministry goals of the church.  Consequently, the first step in a church stewardship campaign is not to select a building to meet current seating and educational space needs, but rather to look to the future of the ministry, beyond the Sunday worship, to which the congregation is called.

Once the ministry to be undertaken is determined, then it is time to consider the type, size and functionality of facilities and the funds needed for their completion.

Financial Goal Setting

One method of financial goal setting is simply to say, "We need $2 million for the new building or project, so the goal is $2 million".  Another goal setting method is for a church to use a scale of so many times its annual budget to determine a campaign goal.

But, using these methods to determine a goal eliminates any congregational involvement; and therefore, significant information that could be very helpful in setting a goal will be missed.  Consequently, I encourage churches to consider a campaign readiness study that involves the entire congregation and specifically deals with ministry and financial questions. 

Sometimes there is a difference between a congregation's vote for the need for a specific project and their willingness to provide the necessary funds for the project.  I think it is important not to enter into a stewardship campaign without a clear understanding of how the project is perceived by the congregation.  If you would like more information about a campaign readiness study, you can contact me at clark@dickersonandassociates.com.

Initiating the campaign process is the much needed step of faith that should be followed by making sure the congregation believes the financial goal of the campaign is a realistic expectation.  In other words, the congregation needs to believe that if they truly seek God's leading and make sacrificial decisions in relationship to that leading, that the campaign will reach its financial goal, and in doing so will meet the vision goal of the campaign.

So, how much funding can be provided through a stewardship campaign?  Using the aforementioned sliding scale, something between 1.9 and 3.0 times a church's annual general budget is generally considered a reasonable expectation.  But, should your church lean toward the 1.9 or the 3.0?  A campaign readiness study will allow you to set a more specific goal and have the confidence that its fulfillment is very likely to be achieved.

Over the years, surveys have indicated that 98% of churches can raise the same amount as their annual budget; 55% can raise two times their annual budget; and 25% can raise three times their annual budget.

All of the above figures and percentages assume that the campaign is well received by the congregation, that there is a well conceived plan, and that the plan is carried out in an organized and motivating manner.

Other Campaign Gains

It is important to note that a successful stewardship campaign brings other positive results in addition to reaching a financial goal.  These include such things as:

      Spiritual growth through the teaching of what God's Word says about stewardship and opening oneself up to His leading through prayer

      Enthusiasm as the congregation comes together with a "We can do it" attitude to accomplish a shared vision of ministry

      Increased attendance as excited members are more likely to invite friends to church, and others in the community are drawn to the "success" of the congregation

      Increased income to the general fund as giving levels continue higher, as commitments are fulfilled and new people are attracted to the church

Summary

If you are considering a stewardship campaign, I highly encourage you to take that step of faith.  Determine future ministry goals, get congregational input, set goals with reasonable expectations and have a plan that is organized and motivational. But, most importantly, be open to the Lord's leading to determine how He wants you to invest His wealth over which He has allowed your stewardship.