You can determine any approach that you believe would maximize your potential gift. There have been several ways that have been suggested. You may choose one of these, but you are certainly not limited to any one of them.
- Capital Stewardship Campaigns – If your church has a need for capital funds to build buildings, renovate existing facilities, retire indebtedness, or other special issues, you might consider letting RSI help you conduct a capital stewardship campaign. Strength for Today…Bright Hope for Tomorrow will pay for RSI consulting fees for churches willing to share a tithe of what is raised with your region’s ministry expansion and global mission funds.
- A Budget Gift – Your church could commit to include an amount in your annual budget for three years. This gift would be over and above what your church is currently giving through the West Ohio Conference to support ongoing ministries and services.
- A Special Offering – Your church could take a special offering for this purpose once a year for three years.
- Endowment Income – If your church has an endowment, you might consider sharing a percentage of the income each year for three years.
Our church will need a capital program in the near future, how long will this method of participation be available?
If your church is likely to begin a Capital Stewardship Program within the next three to five years, the conference will be willing to cover the cost when you are ready to begin, if you agree to the share.
If we do not currently see the need for a capital program, would there be any advantage to our considering one in light of this opportunity?
Most churches can raise between one and a half to three times their annual budget income when conducting a capital program with RSI. You might ask the question… “If we could raise between one and a half to three times our annual budget income over the next three years, how could 90% of that amount be used to enhance our ministry?” Many churches have not realized how much they can raise when doing a capital program. Many churches could probably benefit from this as a consideration.
If our church would like to consider using RSI in a Capital Stewardship Campaign, how can we learn more about what RSI would do?
If your church would like to consider a capital stewardship campaign, RSI will be willing to send a consultant to meet with your leadership. You may call Jeff Thorne at RSI (1-800-725-0080) to arrange for a visit from a consultant.
Are there costs for a campaign that our church would be responsible for?
Churches would be responsible for the cost of their own publicity, postage, food service, and other such ancillary costs. The consulting fees paid by Strength for Today…Bright Hope for Tomorrow would pay for all consulting fees including travel, consultant expenses, etc.
If our church chooses to do a capital campaign with RSI, will it be the same level of program service that we would receive if we contracted with RSI outside this program?
Yes. There will be no difference in the level of service or the competence of the consultant if you were to use RSI outside this program.
Why is Strength for Today…Bright Hope for Tomorrow willing to include this option as a part of the initiative?
Bishop Ough believes that if churches in West Ohio are to position themselves for maximum ministry potential it will mean for many facility expansion, facility renovation, and debt retirement. This is a vital part of the objective of this initiative and should be a part of it.
Our church would like to consider adding an item to our annual budget but we are currently committed to several more years of commitment to another mission. Can we delay starting our commitment until the other commitment is fulfilled?
Yes. You will be able to indicate when you would be able to start giving toward your commitment.
How will payment for a Capital Stewardship Program be made?
Churches will be asked to remit 10% of the dollars raised as they are received on a monthly basis.
