Imagine Capital Campaign
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. What is the IMAGINE Campaign?
A. The IMAGINE Campaign is a three-year campaign for sacrificial giving beyond our regular tithes and offerings. The purpose of IMAGINE is to retire our present debt.
Q. How did we incur the present debt?
A. In 1996, we secured a $4.5 million loan to complete our last major renovation of the sanctuary and improve our educational facilities by adding the Templeton Building. At that time we planned to pay off the loan in 15 years through five three-year campaigns. We are ahead of schedule. This will be our fourth three-year campaign.
Q. What is our current debt and how much do we need to raise?
A. Since 1996, we borrowed additional money to purchase the forested acreage across Waldo Street (the South Campus site) and to make other capital investments. Our present indebtedness is $1.9 million plus approximately $240,000 in interest over the next three years. We hope to raise enough in the campaign to retire that debt. We were blessed with church leaders who preceded us with vision and foresight. It is our turn to IMAGINE the possibilities as we move into the future.
Q. We just completed the "Will You Grow" Stewardship Campaign. Why are we having another campaign now?
A. Our church leadership made a decision to separate the Operating Fund-which supports the mission and ministries of our church-from the Building Fund, which is used for debt retirement and capital improvements. The IMAGINE Campaign is designed to retire our present capital debt.
Q. Why is FUMCC hiring an outside consultant to help raise money?
A. A well coordinated, clearly communicated campaign is critical to the success of our stewardship goals, as evidenced by our "Will You Grow" Campaign. Through that campaign, our church secured pledges of approximately $600,000 more than the previous year. A Capital Campaign is a complex endeavor that requires expertise we do not have internally. The expenditures (i.e. printed materials, video, mailings, meals, our consultant etc.) comprise about $.05 of every dollar raised. Our church leaders believe this is an investment that makes good sense.
Q. What is the status of Phase I (additional parking and infrastructure on South Campus) of the current Long Range Plan?
A. At the November 2006 Church Conference, the Building Committee was given approval to proceed with preliminary plans for Phase I, which includes a preliminary financing plan to direct Spring 2007 Capital Campaign funds committed over and above debt retirement toward completion of Phase I. Before Phase I can be implemented, however, a church conference must be held for final approval.
Q. What would happen if we were so blessed as to raise more than what is needed to retire our debt?
A. The IMAGINE Campaign is designed to retire our present capital debt so we can free up funds for missions and to expand our ministries. If we are debt free, it leaves us open to respond to the results of the church-wide survey completed last fall, as well as the long-range plans that will be put before us. Excess funds from the Capital Campaign would be used for capital needs as determined by the congregation.
Q. How much should I give?
A. That decision is your and yours alone. It should be made only after spending time in prayer to seek God's will for you and your family. Participants will be asked to consider a commitment proportional to their ability to give. Our prayer is that you will consider this an opportunity to see how God can meet any need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Q. Can assets other than cash be committed to the IMAGINE Campaign?
A. Definitely. Many times, major gifts such as investment securities, real estate, or other assets are committed in a campaign like this. In fact there can be favorable treatment under tax laws for persons who make donations of appreciated assets. We suggest you discuss this with your financial or tax advisors.
Q. Can I designate my regular ministries budget giving toward the IMAGINE Stewardship Campaign?
A. Although you can, please remember the ministry of FUMCC goes on every day. It is vital that we not reduce regular giving in order to make gifts to this campaign. Support of our IMAGINE Campaign must be sacrificial over and above regular giving. Remember, your gift is payable over a three-year period. Members not able to support both efforts are asked to keep up their giving to the regular Operating Budget of the church.
Q. What is sacrificial giving?
A. Sacrificial giving will have unique meaning to every member, but at its heart, it will call us to move beyond annual giving. It implies personal reflection, reassessment, and reallocation. Sacrificial giving is regular giving-and more. Consider Samuel's words in 2 Samuel 24:24: "I will not offer as a sacrifice to God that which costs me nothing."
Q. When will commitments be received and for how long?
A. Commitments will be received on Sunday, May 20, 2007. Payments will be received beginning June 2007 through May 2010. These commitments, as always, are "best" estimates of giving and may be adjusted up or down, as you deem necessary during the three-year commitment period.
Q. What is our vision for FUMCC?
A. Our vision is to remain faithful to God's call, claim on our lives, and reach others in the name of Jesus Christ. As the church in the heart of Cary, we can reach out through present programs such as Mighty Mondays, MCC, Dorcas Shop, Feed 5000, and through other missions and ministries we can IMAGINE. Our facilities provide space to reach out through Scouting, IHN, community worship settings, music, drama and liturgical dance, creative worship experiences, family, and adult ministries... Only IMAGINE what additional ministries we can provide to share Christ's love in our community, our nation, and our world. So the short answer is this: Our vision will always be evolving as God works through each of us to advance His kingdom here on earth.
Q. What is FUMCC asking me to do?
A.
- Pray that our effort will meet God's calling for FUMCC.
- Watch the video and read materials received.
- Be present in worship throughout the campaign to catch the IMAGINE vision.
- Share your ideas and talents as a campaign volunteer.
- Attend the major IMAGINE Event on Sunday, May 20, 2007.
- Pray for God's guidance as you determine His will for your gift.
- Thank God in advance for His faithfulness and provisions.
- Make a financial commitment above and beyond your regular giving to be paid out over a three-year period beginning June 2007.
- Lastly, IMAGINE... imagine the difference we can make within our congregation, our community, and our world as we step out in faith boldly and courageously serve.