There are numerous “capital campaign companies” available for hire by the local church. As with everything else in life, some are good and some are not. The question for each church is, “How can we determine the reliability of any capital stewardship company we might want to consider?” 

Obviously, a track record is significantly important. Often, the best approach is to call the company for references from pastors who have utilized their services. A follow-up call to each pastor on record will enable you to discuss the details of their experience with the company. 

You will want to assess the company’s track record on such items as spiritual growth and any increase in regular giving, which their capital campaign may have produced in other churches. This is in addition to the level of success the church realized in their primary goal of raising the necessary building capital.  Incidentally, and as a rule-of-thumb, the building fund goal is usually two to three times the level of the local church’s regular giving over a three year period.

Example: The Church on the Hill has an annual income of $350,000.00. (Some churches refer to this as “the amount raised for all purposes”). In this scenario, the amount of building fund monies that a successful capital campaign will generate over a three year period is $1,050,000.00. These funds are over and above the general giving monies. 

Nearly all capital stewardship companies break down their program into five phases:

PHASE 1 – The Relationship-Building and Training phase

PHASE 2 – The Planning Phase

PHASE 3 – The Public Phase

PHASE 4 – The Commitment Phase

PHASE 5 - The Follow-up Phase

Biblical stewardship should motivate each believer to know God’s ultimate purpose in serving Him.

Posted: by Dick White