That is one of the lessons we have learned this year especially . Yet , churches that have a compelling need for a surge of funds to advance their ministry should definitely consider a campaign in ’ 21 . After the national rumble of an election year settles , churches will have to decide their post-covid reality , and it likely will involve investing more capital in some aspect of church life .
Can we run a campaign if our regular giving is “ flat ” or even down year over year ?
It may sound counterintuitive , but the answer is yes . There is something different about a church-wide campaign that captures attention and focus in a powerful way . The common fear is that members of the church will “ rob Peter to pay Paul ” ( when Peter is already struggling a bit ). But campaigns demand a fresh vision for the future – and this future can produce a kind of optimism and renewed energy that may be just what God will use to jumpstart our next chapter .
How much additional money can we expect to be pledged ?
Back in the day , churches could almost expect 2 – 3 times their annual income of additional funds over a three-year period . With the rising complexity of charitable giving and the uncertainty of our world these days , every church should consider unique features , like :
• The current makeup of the congregation
• The tenure of the senior leadership
• The focus of the project ( debt , real estate purchase , renovation , etc .)
• The amount of time since the last fundraising campaign
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