$100,000 Gifts given and received in March 2008 to cover down payment costs; required amount to proceed with purchase
$400,000 Required minimum to proceed with building purchase
$225,000 To cover future building maintenance and operating needs
PART 2 TOTAL: $625,000
If you are unsure about how to seek God’s guidance in determining a gift amount you may want to start with the chart shown below. The chart is presented as a tool that you may find helpful as you seek God’s direction through prayer. The chart is a hypothetical representation as to how the church might receive gifts totaling $625,000 based upon statistical data from other churches that had similar fundraising goals. The chart shows the number of households giving at various levels and the cumulative effect of those gifts.
To start, ask yourself at what level on the chart do I (we) feel most comfortable giving. Then, in prayer, ask God to show you if there is a way that you may give at the next higher level or somewhere in between. If God shows you how to give at a higher amount, pray about the next higher amount. Continue to pray up the chart until God no longer shows you how to give at that level.
Then, take one more step and seek an amount that will take faith to give. He honors and blesses faith. At this point ask yourself four questions: 1. Am I/we joyous about giving this amount? 2. Is my/our gift sacrificial? 3. Am I/we demonstrating an expression of my/our faith in God with this amount? 4. Am I/we convinced that I/we can give this amount with a motivation of worshipping God, showing my/our thankfulness? If all four answers are “yes”, you have the right amount. If not, keep praying.
Capital campaigns are successful as church members prayerfully seek and discover ways and means to give “over and above” their current level of contribution to the church. The true practice of Biblical stewardship is not limited to what we might be able to give from a bank account. The biblical pattern reveals that God is honored when we bring gifts from the height and breadth of our resources. “Money has no value whatsoever, unless it is the expression of our life, labor and love.” True giving reflects the totality of one’s life, not just one’s bank account! God has repeatedly led people to give by the following:
PRIORITY BUDGETING
• Gift by sacrificing something presently in the budget
• Gift by postponing a planned expenditureREDIRECT PRESENT EXPENDITURE
• Gift by giving something presently being given to other causes
• Gift by giving money that has been or is being used elsewhereGIFTS OF UNEXPECTED CASH
• Gift from tax return
• Gift from an inheritance
• Gift from a dividend
• Gift from a giftGIFT FROM INCREASED INCOME
• Gift from increase in salary
• Gift from bonuses
• Gift from dividends, rentals, etc.GIFTS OF ACCUMULATED CASH
• Gift from a savings account
GIFTS FROM EXTRA WORK
• Gift from a second job
• Gift from other earningsGIFTS OF VALUABLE REAL ESTATE & PERSONAL PROPERTY
• Gift of valuable personal property
• Gift of real estateGIFTS OF STOCKS & BONDS
• Gift of appreciated stock (great tax benefits)
GIFTS FROM LIFE INSURANCE
• Gift of cash within policy
GIFTS FROM A TRUST
• Gift of property
• Gift of income now, either give or keep property later
• Gift from retirement fund
Note: Secure legal and tax counsel prior to giving stock or property to the church. Also, check with Jim Bird (952-895-0887 ext. 111) prior to giving any personal property to verify that the church can accept the property.