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The Basics
1. How much money do we hope to raise?
$30 million
2. Why do we need a $30 million campaign at this time? Is this the best time to have a capital campaign with the stock market, oil prices, the war, gas prices, etc.?
Probably not. But biblically, God has a track record of using people to do incredible things in the midst of deprivation and against all odds. The timing may feel ‘inconvenient,’ but it is His timing.
We have not conducted a major campaign in more than 15 years. We also are called to lead our denomination and our community in significant local and global outreach. Through the Campaign for a Deeper Discipleship we will strive to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel and a blessing to our neighbors and partners in ministry.
In the end, the glory goes to God and not to us. From Luke 12:48 -- “ . . . from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required, and from the one to whom much as been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”
3. Specifically how will the money be used?
$2,850,000 will retire existing debt.
$10,800,000 will fund local and global outreach and evangelism efforts.
$15,750,000 will be used for renovations and expansion on the West and East campus.
$600,000 will cover the costs of the campaign.
4. Who is in charge of the campaign to see that it’s managed properly?
Our Senior Pastor, Steve Eason, is at the helm. He is partnering with Averill Harkey as Campaign Chair. Vice-chairs include Marc Brinks, Jean Ford and Bevie Hemby.
5. What’s the campaign timeline?
We will ask for Advance gifts from October 2007– January 2008. The Congregation phase will begin with our kick-off, February 10, 2008 and run until June. We expect to complete our Campaign for a Deeper Discipleship in Summer 2008.
6. Who is being approached for this campaign?
Our Campaign for a Deeper Discipleship will require sacrificial commitment from each of our members.
7. Why didn’t we do a 50/50 split on this campaign?
That was our original intention, but there is a domino effect (Gym becomes fellowship hall → move gym across street → expand pre-school ministry) to the buildings that locks us into a certain plan. $16 million is the estimated price on the building portion of the project.
We have been committed all along to paying off the church’s debt, which we will do (nearly $3 million). The session adopted a challenging $30 million goal based on a feasibility study. Allowing for the building and debt portions gives us an $11 million target for outreach ($7 million local, $4 million global). This is the largest percentage of the capital campaign for outreach in the Presbyterian Church that ever has been attempted -- nationwide. It’s a wonderful step for our congregation and is a tremendous witness to other churches and to our community, as well as to our children and grandchildren.
When we accomplish the goal of this campaign, we will set a precedent for future campaigns, scripting the role of this church in the denomination and in the community for years to come.
Campus Master Plan
8. Why do we need to expand and renovate our building? Why are we building a gym across Providence Road?
Just as the early disciples were known for gathering together, being committed to Christ and to each other before going out to serve, we are called to do so. Right now, we don’t have a place to gather at one time. It’s hard enough to build community in a church that is nearly 4,000 members strong. But if we don’t have a place we can gather in large numbers the task is much more difficult.
To transform space for us to build community, nourish disciples and ultimately work to fulfill the Great Commission, we need to:
- Convert the gym into a large, 2-story, flexible space that will house the Celebrate worship service and other large-gathering events. (Proximity to food services and child care are primary reasons for keeping this on the main campus.)
- Convert Providence Hall into much-needed indoor play space for our expanding preschool and children’s ministries to help us maintain our NAEYC rating.
- Build a new gym on our property across Providence Road that also will house our outreach center for Room in the Inn (seasonal homeless shelter), and C.R.O.S.S. (urban youth mission ministry), as well as provide dedicated space for our growing youth programs.
- Build a welcome center that will be the front door to our church, a gathering place for building community.
- And maintain the green space that welcomes -- and beckons -- worshipers to our sanctuary.
9. Do we really need a gym?
- We currently have 40 basketball teams with 420 registrants. (80% are MPPC members.)
- We have checked with other churches and each of them is using their gyms to full capacity. A “co-op” gym for several churches apparently is not an option.
- We heavily use the gym for summer camps and exercise classes as well.
- By moving the gym, we can increase activity with after-school programming and other recreational ministries because we no longer have to reserve time for the Weekday school to have the gym in case of inclement weather (which is required to maintain NAEYC accreditation).
- The Weekday school will gain an indoor play area in the reconstruction of the current Providence Hall.
10. Who makes the final decisions on how the final design will look and function?
The Building Team, chaired by Jim Miller and comprising congregants currently involved in the planning process and others who have expertise in the field, will be charged with finalizing both form and function and ensuring it is consistent with the look and feel of our current campus. The Session will have final approval of recommended plans.
11. When will the expansion begin and how long will it last?
The earliest that construction could begin would be 4th Quarter 2008, with completion of all projects planned for 2010.
Outreach
12. How will we monitor the outreach and evangelism funds to be invested in other agencies?
We have established an Outreach Funding Team (OFT), led by Bill Vandiver, to provide accountability and monitoring of our outreach and evangelism efforts. The OFT will collaborate with the Session’s Outreach Ministry Team as it conducts the regular outreach work of the church during the next several years. The OFT will evaluate our partners on an ongoing basis and may assist agencies with tracking and reporting processes if they currently are not in use. The OFT will share the status and impact of our investments with the Session and congregation periodically.
13. Are the recommendations from the Outreach and Evangelism planning team final funding decisions?
The recommendations of the Outreach and Evangelism planning team will provide the framework and platform from which The Outreach Funding Team (OFT) will operate. It will be the charge of the OFT to assess the relationship and need for funds when disbursements are authorized. The OFT will ensure that we distribute funds under a prudent and credible process, and will verify that granted funds are spent prudently and in accordance with agreed-upon terms.
14. What kinds of initiatives will be funded?
We will raise capital to be used to serve our neighbors as Jesus did. We will not simply write checks, but use our financial, intellectual and physical wealth wisely to be partners in health, education and holistic community development at home and around the world. We will be involved in where our church members are involved in ministry, and where we have lines of communication and accountability.
While not specific, recommended initiatives include:
- Holistic Community Development
- Christian Leadership Training and Development
- Partnerships with Billingsville Elementary School and Grier Heights neighborhood churches
- Local affordable housing initiatives
- Partnerships with Church of Central Africa Presbyterian/Synod of Livingstonia (Malawi)
- Partnerships with the Presbyterian Church of Congo
- Partnerships with Habitat for Humanity (El Salvador)
- Possible new partnerships with other Presbyterian brothers and sisters in conjunction with The Outreach Foundation (Brazil) and World Vision (Central America).
Key Issues
15. How will an expanded campus and funding additional outreach programs affect the church’s annual budget?
At first, it will not. Both the Outreach and Evangelism and Campus Master Plan teams have built into their budgets means to cover expenses incurred at the onset of funding. Ongoing expenses such as utilities and staffing eventually will become part of the annual budget.
16. Why am I being asked to support both the annual campaign and the Campaign for a Deeper Discipleship?
The annual Mission and Ministry campaign funds yearly budget items to run our day-to-day operations, facilities and programming. The Campaign for a Deeper Discipleship targets specific outreach initiatives and campus improvements that together facilitate deeper spiritual growth and life-changing opportunities to serve. Your continued support of the annual campaign provides the staff and programming necessary to maintain the existing important ministries of the church.
17. Why is the church giving more funds to agencies we already support?
Distributions made through the Campaign for a Deeper Discipleship are capital infusions designed to add capacity and expand the reach of our partnering agencies. These contributions are not for their routine operating expenses, but instead for larger needs that the agencies could not otherwise afford to meet. We will not write checks to various ministries as if we were an “outreach bank.” These funds will be used in partnership both locally and globally where our church members are involved in ministry, and where we have lines of communication and accountability.
18. I already support some of the same outreach programs outlined in the campaign plan; isn’t this a duplication of my funds?
Our Campaign for a Deeper Discipleship will deepen current programs in areas we already support, but at a transformational level. These initiatives will be based on relationship and partnership building within a certain theme and will not be supported through annual giving. In addition, gifts made through the Campaign for a Deeper Discipleship will have the benefit of oversight and accountability by Bill Vandiver and the Outreach Funding Team (OFT). Finally, these initiatives provide life-changing experiences for the members of our congregation. We will serve those less fortunate in a truly meaningful manner and will significantly deepen our members' spiritual lives in the process.
Financial Commitments
19. May I make a multi-year gift?
Yes. You will have the option of spreading payments over a three to five year period.
20. May I designate my gift?
Yes, you may designate your gift, although we do not encourage it. We know some members may prefer to designate their gifts and we will work with them to do so. This plan is well-balanced between “in-reach” and “outreach.” Our hope is to strengthen both areas of our ministry through this campaign.
21. May I gift stock to fulfill my financial commitment?
Yes. Appreciated stock is an excellent way to fulfill your gift to the campaign. Gifts of appreciated stock must be transferred prior to the sale to receive maximum tax benefits. Please contact Susan Nelson with the Foundation for the Carolinas (704-973-4505) to facilitate the transfer.
22. May I provide my payment through a deferred gift vehicle?
Yes. Please contact our Administrator, Dale Allison, at 704-376-3695, x241
23. Will my contribution to this campaign be tax deductible?
Yes.
24. May I make a one-time gift instead of a multi-year commitment?
Yes, it is going to take multi-year commitments for us to reach our goal. We hope members will consider making a gift with the possibility of adjusting that later if financial situations change. That is done confidentially through the business office with Dale Allison. (There is no publication of those changes.)
25. I already give to the annual budget and don’t see how I can do any more.
- We appreciate everyone’s faithfulness to the ongoing ministry of the church for its annual budget.
- A capital campaign needs everyone to give sacrificially. Some will be able to give from their assets (stocks, real estate holdings, investments, life insurance policies, etc.). Many will contribute to this campaign out of income.
- To meet our goal, we need our members to consider what they can do over a five-year period of time, not just a one-time gift. We need those in the membership who can to give from their assets.
Other Questions
26. Why not just use what we have and sell the land across the street and contribute the money to outreach?
- That land was purchased by the church with the intent of strengthening the future ministry of the church.
- The property could be sold and a one-time significant contribution made to a variety of outreach ministries and to people in need, but to use the property to strengthen the congregation will contribute to the ongoing strength of the Myers Park congregation in its outreach ministries for years to come.
- The land provides much needed additional parking.
- Any construction on that property will seek to maintain the “park-like” atmosphere, saving as many trees as possible and planting new ones to replace those that must be cut down for construction.
27. Why are we doing so much in outreach? Shouldn’t we take care of the church first?
- The leadership of the church feels led to make a bold statement in this campaign. The money we have set aside to renovate and add to our facility are adequate to sustain a 4,000- to 5,000-member congregation in the future. We are paying off our debt and making an $11-million contribution to our outreach ministries.
- These monies will be overseen by an Outreach Funding Team (OFT) chaired by Bill Vandiver and coordinated with our outreach ministries under the supervision of the Session.
- We will not write checks to various ministries as if we were an “outreach bank.” These funds will be used in partnership both locally and globally where our church members are involved in ministry, and where we have lines of communication and accountability.
28. There’s money in outreach budget for new church development. Where will that be located?
- That is yet to be determined.
- Our presbytery has purchased land in the Weddington area for a new church. First, Sardis and Covenant Presbyterian churches are interested in partnering with Myers Park to help establish that church. We are exploring that option.
- A team from our church will be charged with this task and will be asked to prayerfully consider every opportunity for Myers Park to plan or to help develop a new Presbyterian church in our area.
- The Charlotte Presbytery needs another large Presbyterian church and the ripple-effect of that church in outreach and in in-reach could be long-lasting. All options are prayerfully being considered at this time.
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