Many churches are beginning to move ahead with plans that had been laid aside due to a lackluster economy. The inability to see the upturn coming kept most of us from feeling the optimism needed to move ahead with plans for our church to expand services in one arena or another.

While this upturn is heartening, there unfortunately seems to be just as many churches that are suffering from an inability to pay their mortgages. Perhaps these churches assumed large debt at an unfortunate time – near the beginning of the deep recession of 2008 through 2010. One example would be Dr. Robert H. Schuller's Crystal Cathedral in California which filed for bankruptcy in late 2010.

Is your church in Category One - ready to build, add on, expand missions and outreach, or enlarge staff? Or is your church in Category Two - wondering how to continue paying the monthly expenses and mortgage?

It really does not matter much whether your church fits in Category One or Category Two – either way you likely will be finding your congregation embarking on a Capital Stewardship Campaign.

Category One churches are moving ahead with building construction, creating new mission field opportunities, and/or increasing staffing. These are inspiring outcomes and they make a good case for families or individuals to give vigorously.

But, Category Two churches need not despair! This same type of campaign is also used to eliminate debt. In fact, a debt elimination campaign if often coupled with a new, small improvement to the church or its mission opportunities at the same time.

I see every church foreclosure as a missed opportunity for a financial turnaround. If you find your church in the same situation as the Crystal Cathedral, you might consider first a Capital Campaign for debt elimination or reduction.

For further information, don't hesitate to give me a call.

John Young
President
Bountiful Harvest Consulting
513-706-8410