Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
(Here is a list of all the questions. See the next section below for the questions with answers.)
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FAQ'S (see below for Strategic Planning FAQ'a
Preparing for a Campaign
1. How do we know if our congregation is ready for a capital campaign? Why do we need consultants to come in? Can’t we do this on our own?
2. We think we could expand our ministry if we raised some capital but we can’t figure out what our next move should be. How can we move forward?
3. Do you ever do a feasibility study to test the waters?
General Campaign Questions
4. How does a Wittenberg campaign differ from typical campaigns?
5. How long does a capital campaign take?
6. How many volunteers are needed to run a campaign?
7. What is the best time of year to do a campaign?
8. What role does the pastor play in the campaign?
9. Does a campaign decrease our regular offerings?
10. Will the campaign end up “guilting” our congregation members into
pledge?
Expected Results and Fees
11. How much can we raise if we do a capital campaign?
12. What do capital fund raising companies charge for their services?
13. What is included in the consultant fee?
14. Can capital campaign funds be used for more than just new buildings?
15. We only need to raise a small amount of money. Is it worth doing a capital campaign?
16. Is the cost for the campaign based on the amount of pledges raised?
17. What additional expenses will our church have to cover during the campaign?
18. What percentage of the amount pledged actually comes in?
STRATEGIC PLANNING FAQ’S
19. What is the best time to start the Strategic Planning process?
20. Who should be on the Strategic Planning Team?
21. When will I know if my congregation needs strategic prioritizing?
22. Isn’t strategic prioritizing a secular process, contrary to the Gospel?
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FAQ'S (see below for Strategic Planning FAQ'a
Preparing for a Campaign
1. How do we know if our congregation is ready for a capital campaign? Why do we need consultants to come in? Can’t we do this on our own?
2. We think we could expand our ministry if we raised some capital but we can’t figure out what our next move should be. How can we move forward?
3. Do you ever do a feasibility study to test the waters?
General Campaign Questions
4. How does a Wittenberg campaign differ from typical campaigns?
5. How long does a capital campaign take?
6. How many volunteers are needed to run a campaign?
7. What is the best time of year to do a campaign?
8. What role does the pastor play in the campaign?
9. Does a campaign decrease our regular offerings?
10. Will the campaign end up “guilting” our congregation members into
pledge?
Expected Results and Fees
11. How much can we raise if we do a capital campaign?
12. What do capital fund raising companies charge for their services?
13. What is included in the consultant fee?
14. Can capital campaign funds be used for more than just new buildings?
15. We only need to raise a small amount of money. Is it worth doing a capital campaign?
16. Is the cost for the campaign based on the amount of pledges raised?
17. What additional expenses will our church have to cover during the campaign?
18. What percentage of the amount pledged actually comes in?
STRATEGIC PLANNING FAQ’S
19. What is the best time to start the Strategic Planning process?
20. Who should be on the Strategic Planning Team?
21. When will I know if my congregation needs strategic prioritizing?
22. Isn’t strategic prioritizing a secular process, contrary to the Gospel?
Frequently Asked Questions (with answers)
CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS
Preparing for a Campaign
1. How do we know if our congregation is ready for a capital campaign?
From our experience there are very few congregations that could not benefit from a capital campaign, or more to the point, further the Gospel by raising funds over above their regular giving. Your congregation is ready for a campaign if you need funds for a new building, paying down debt, major repairs, endowing staff positions and many other projects, including goals you may not have even imagined yet, that serve the kingdom of God.
2. Why do we need consultants to come in? Can’t we do this on our own?
We, the Wittenberg founders, actually tried this after we had done a few campaigns with outside consultants. We realized that the different capital campaign consultants were basically using the same program for their campaigns. We took the main components and came up with a capital fund raising program at our church. It was a great experience and did raise some funds but it was not nearly as successful as those with outside consultants. Accountability was the missing factor. We did not have to answer to anyone, so we cut some corners, strayed from our timeline and did not give the campaign the priority it gets when an outside consultant is guiding you through the process. (Seven years later, after establishing Wittenberg Church Consultants, we led our home congregation through its most successful capital campaign to date.)
3. We think we could expand our ministry if we raised some capital but we can’t figure out what our next move should be. How can we move forward?
This is a common stumbling block for many congregations and a great ploy of the evil foe. Many congregations can exist in this state of indecisiveness and standstill for years, limiting the spread of the Gospel both inside and outside of their walls. In preparation for a capital campaign, Wittenberg Church Consultants also offers Strategic Planning services to help congregations determine their overall purpose, goals and strategies to meet these goals. (link to Strategic Planning)
4. Do you ever do a feasibility study to test the waters?
We have done feasibility studies. Sometimes they are helpful and other times not. In many cases we are willing to roll the fee for the study into the eventual campaign.
GENERAL CAMPAIGN QUESTIONS
5. How does a Wittenberg campaign differ from typical campaigns?
When we formed Wittenberg Church Consultants, we had already worked with four other
capital fund raising companies. Each had some positive components and yet we found that each had some shortcomings. We set about using components that worked well, reworking the negatives, and adding what we felt was missing. We call this sum total of how we improved
over the typical campaign the “Wittenberg Difference”. We compiled a list of ten ways that Wittenberg differs from other programs. We are most proud of our strong and deliberate spiritual component, our genuinely Lutheran approach, our two-consultant service, and our willingness to tailor each program to meet the needs of each parish.
6. How long does a capital campaign take?
The most active phase of the campaign runs for 18 weeks. This is the period of time from the initial training of volunteers until the pledge total is announced. The pledges are then fulfilled over a three-year period.
7. How many volunteers are needed to run a campaign?
The campaign is led by two Co-Directors and a Campaign Coordinator. Each Co-Director oversees four teams for a total of eight teams. In larger churches, some teams are split into two teams, resulting in eleven teams. Team leaders then recruit as many team members as needed to accomplish their tasks—usually three to ten per team, depending on the size of the church and the tasks of each team. We encourage churches to recruit as many volunteers as possible, even if each
volunteer only has one simple task. We find that campaigns with the most volunteers are among the most successful.
8. What is the best time of year to do a campaign?
Because a typical campaign lasts 18 weeks, it is best to conduct a campaign during an
18-week period in the church year where there are no“church festivals”. Late summer is a great time to begin a campaign, with behind the scenes work done in August and kick-off in September. This timing will have the campaign winding down in late November or early December. A late winter campaign can begin immediately after Christmas and be adjusted to fit around the Lenten and Easter seasons, depending on when they fall. Because Wittenberg tailors each campaign to fit each individual congregation, we can create a schedule to fit your needs.
9. What role does the pastor play in the campaign?
The pastor or pastors of the congregation play four very important roles in a capital campaign. They 1) show visible support and enthusiasm for the campaign; 2) participate in the initial recruitment of volunteers and assist as all campaign workers are recruited; and most importantly 3) perform tasks that need to be done by the parish pastor such a writing letters and articles (templates provided) and 4) provide doctrinal oversight of all campaign materials to make
sure they are both biblically sound and appropriate for their parish.
10. Does a campaign decrease our regular offerings?
In most cases capital campaigns that call for over and above giving increase the regular offerings rather than decrease it. This is because of the stewardship education that comes with a Wittenberg campaign, the excitement of the cause, and the fact that so many members of the congregation get active to carry out the campaign.
11. Will the campaign end up “guilting” our congregation members into pledge?
One of the reasons we started Wittenberg Church Consultants is because we noticed that most of the campaigns out there are based heavily on the law and pressure tactics. Wittenberg has built its campaign on the proper use of the law (to show us our sin) and with the Gospel dominating (which is the motivation for our giving).
Expected Results and Cost
12. How much can we raise if we do a capital campaign?
This can vary tremendously from church to church depending on many factors and, therefore, capital campaign consultants cannot guarantee any results. The mercy of God is the most important factor in the success of any campaign. That is why so much of a Wittenberg campaign is focused on spiritual renewal and prayer.
From an earthly standpoint, the two key indicators of pledge potential are 1) the congregation’s
annual offerings and 2) the purpose of the campaign. The average congregation might expect to receive pledges equal to one to one and one half times their annual offerings. Many raise more. We have yet to see a congregation raise less than that. Congregations that are embarking on a building program generally raise more in a capital campaign than those raising funds to pay down debt.
What do capital fund raising companies charge for their services?
We try to be as informative as possible when answering this question but cannot, of
course, give an exact figure with regard to our charges. As background, established capital fund raising companies, back in the 90’s and early 00’s, would typically charge a medium to large congregation approximately $50,000 to conduct a campaign. This figure has come down a bit over the years but is still in the $30,000 to $40,000 range. Wittenberg’s fees are currently in the range of $18,000 to $35,000, depending on the amount of travel required and the size of the congregation.
What is included in the consultant fee?
Our fee includes a complete program for fund raising including all training of volunteers, training materials, templates for all written materials, outlines for major campaign communication pieces, writing assistance, and phone and email access to two consultants during the campaign and for the three year period of pledge fulfillment. All of our travel expenses are included in the fee.
Can capital campaign funds be used for more than just new buildings?
Yes, a capital campaign can be used to raise capital for any purpose within God’s church. Many churches begin a capital campaign to pay down debt or raise funds for major repairs to existing facilities. Funds raised in a capital campaign can be used to fund a new staff position until the congregation is able to incorporate the expenses into its annual budget. Funds may also be directed toward day school or pre-school programs to sustain them during poor economic
times or begin an entirely new ministry.
We only need to raise a small amount of money. Is it worth doing a capital campaign?
A Wittenberg campaign re-vitalizes a congregation by focusing on spiritual renewal, encouraging participation, increasing communication and teaching biblical stewardship principles. Simply bringing members together for the service and fellowship events during the campaign results in more connections, and an increased feeling of community and unity in purpose. Often the case statement—the short description of the purpose for the campaign—gives members a great deal of
encouragement for moving into the future as a congregation.
Is the cost for the campaign based on the amount of pledges raised?
No, the fee is set before the campaign begins. There are many factors that will affect the success of a campaign. Connecting the results to the fee could affect the perceptions, motivations and enthusiasm of the campaign. Wittenberg gives its best to each congregation it serves.
What additional expenses will our church have to cover during the campaign?
The church will have additional expenses for printing, paper, postage, video
production, campaign mementos, and the cost of campaign fellowship events. There
could also be additional clerical staffing expenses.
What
percentage of the amount pledged actually comes
in?
STRATEGIC PLANNING FAQ’S
What is the best time to start the Strategic Planning process?
This varies from church to church.
See Your church might benefit from doing a Strategic Planning Process if…..
Some
churches undergo the strategic planning process and determine that they are
ready to move forward
immediately
with a building or renovation project. Others find that they have some
feasibility work that needs to be done first. Still others that go through our
Strategic Planning process find that their newly identified goals
and
priorities do not involve the need for capital but, instead require other
strategies and actions on the part of their leaders and
members.
Who should be on the Strategic Planning Team?
The team should consist of the key leaders of the parish. It could be the church council. It could be the elders. It could be a newly formed group of key officers, board members, and key supporters of the parish.
When will I know if my congregation needs strategic prioritizing?
Isn’t strategic prioritizing a secular process, contrary to the Gospel?
Preparing for a Campaign
1. How do we know if our congregation is ready for a capital campaign?
From our experience there are very few congregations that could not benefit from a capital campaign, or more to the point, further the Gospel by raising funds over above their regular giving. Your congregation is ready for a campaign if you need funds for a new building, paying down debt, major repairs, endowing staff positions and many other projects, including goals you may not have even imagined yet, that serve the kingdom of God.
2. Why do we need consultants to come in? Can’t we do this on our own?
We, the Wittenberg founders, actually tried this after we had done a few campaigns with outside consultants. We realized that the different capital campaign consultants were basically using the same program for their campaigns. We took the main components and came up with a capital fund raising program at our church. It was a great experience and did raise some funds but it was not nearly as successful as those with outside consultants. Accountability was the missing factor. We did not have to answer to anyone, so we cut some corners, strayed from our timeline and did not give the campaign the priority it gets when an outside consultant is guiding you through the process. (Seven years later, after establishing Wittenberg Church Consultants, we led our home congregation through its most successful capital campaign to date.)
3. We think we could expand our ministry if we raised some capital but we can’t figure out what our next move should be. How can we move forward?
This is a common stumbling block for many congregations and a great ploy of the evil foe. Many congregations can exist in this state of indecisiveness and standstill for years, limiting the spread of the Gospel both inside and outside of their walls. In preparation for a capital campaign, Wittenberg Church Consultants also offers Strategic Planning services to help congregations determine their overall purpose, goals and strategies to meet these goals. (link to Strategic Planning)
4. Do you ever do a feasibility study to test the waters?
We have done feasibility studies. Sometimes they are helpful and other times not. In many cases we are willing to roll the fee for the study into the eventual campaign.
GENERAL CAMPAIGN QUESTIONS
5. How does a Wittenberg campaign differ from typical campaigns?
When we formed Wittenberg Church Consultants, we had already worked with four other
capital fund raising companies. Each had some positive components and yet we found that each had some shortcomings. We set about using components that worked well, reworking the negatives, and adding what we felt was missing. We call this sum total of how we improved
over the typical campaign the “Wittenberg Difference”. We compiled a list of ten ways that Wittenberg differs from other programs. We are most proud of our strong and deliberate spiritual component, our genuinely Lutheran approach, our two-consultant service, and our willingness to tailor each program to meet the needs of each parish.
6. How long does a capital campaign take?
The most active phase of the campaign runs for 18 weeks. This is the period of time from the initial training of volunteers until the pledge total is announced. The pledges are then fulfilled over a three-year period.
7. How many volunteers are needed to run a campaign?
The campaign is led by two Co-Directors and a Campaign Coordinator. Each Co-Director oversees four teams for a total of eight teams. In larger churches, some teams are split into two teams, resulting in eleven teams. Team leaders then recruit as many team members as needed to accomplish their tasks—usually three to ten per team, depending on the size of the church and the tasks of each team. We encourage churches to recruit as many volunteers as possible, even if each
volunteer only has one simple task. We find that campaigns with the most volunteers are among the most successful.
8. What is the best time of year to do a campaign?
Because a typical campaign lasts 18 weeks, it is best to conduct a campaign during an
18-week period in the church year where there are no“church festivals”. Late summer is a great time to begin a campaign, with behind the scenes work done in August and kick-off in September. This timing will have the campaign winding down in late November or early December. A late winter campaign can begin immediately after Christmas and be adjusted to fit around the Lenten and Easter seasons, depending on when they fall. Because Wittenberg tailors each campaign to fit each individual congregation, we can create a schedule to fit your needs.
9. What role does the pastor play in the campaign?
The pastor or pastors of the congregation play four very important roles in a capital campaign. They 1) show visible support and enthusiasm for the campaign; 2) participate in the initial recruitment of volunteers and assist as all campaign workers are recruited; and most importantly 3) perform tasks that need to be done by the parish pastor such a writing letters and articles (templates provided) and 4) provide doctrinal oversight of all campaign materials to make
sure they are both biblically sound and appropriate for their parish.
10. Does a campaign decrease our regular offerings?
In most cases capital campaigns that call for over and above giving increase the regular offerings rather than decrease it. This is because of the stewardship education that comes with a Wittenberg campaign, the excitement of the cause, and the fact that so many members of the congregation get active to carry out the campaign.
11. Will the campaign end up “guilting” our congregation members into pledge?
One of the reasons we started Wittenberg Church Consultants is because we noticed that most of the campaigns out there are based heavily on the law and pressure tactics. Wittenberg has built its campaign on the proper use of the law (to show us our sin) and with the Gospel dominating (which is the motivation for our giving).
Expected Results and Cost
12. How much can we raise if we do a capital campaign?
This can vary tremendously from church to church depending on many factors and, therefore, capital campaign consultants cannot guarantee any results. The mercy of God is the most important factor in the success of any campaign. That is why so much of a Wittenberg campaign is focused on spiritual renewal and prayer.
From an earthly standpoint, the two key indicators of pledge potential are 1) the congregation’s
annual offerings and 2) the purpose of the campaign. The average congregation might expect to receive pledges equal to one to one and one half times their annual offerings. Many raise more. We have yet to see a congregation raise less than that. Congregations that are embarking on a building program generally raise more in a capital campaign than those raising funds to pay down debt.
What do capital fund raising companies charge for their services?
We try to be as informative as possible when answering this question but cannot, of
course, give an exact figure with regard to our charges. As background, established capital fund raising companies, back in the 90’s and early 00’s, would typically charge a medium to large congregation approximately $50,000 to conduct a campaign. This figure has come down a bit over the years but is still in the $30,000 to $40,000 range. Wittenberg’s fees are currently in the range of $18,000 to $35,000, depending on the amount of travel required and the size of the congregation.
What is included in the consultant fee?
Our fee includes a complete program for fund raising including all training of volunteers, training materials, templates for all written materials, outlines for major campaign communication pieces, writing assistance, and phone and email access to two consultants during the campaign and for the three year period of pledge fulfillment. All of our travel expenses are included in the fee.
Can capital campaign funds be used for more than just new buildings?
Yes, a capital campaign can be used to raise capital for any purpose within God’s church. Many churches begin a capital campaign to pay down debt or raise funds for major repairs to existing facilities. Funds raised in a capital campaign can be used to fund a new staff position until the congregation is able to incorporate the expenses into its annual budget. Funds may also be directed toward day school or pre-school programs to sustain them during poor economic
times or begin an entirely new ministry.
We only need to raise a small amount of money. Is it worth doing a capital campaign?
A Wittenberg campaign re-vitalizes a congregation by focusing on spiritual renewal, encouraging participation, increasing communication and teaching biblical stewardship principles. Simply bringing members together for the service and fellowship events during the campaign results in more connections, and an increased feeling of community and unity in purpose. Often the case statement—the short description of the purpose for the campaign—gives members a great deal of
encouragement for moving into the future as a congregation.
Is the cost for the campaign based on the amount of pledges raised?
No, the fee is set before the campaign begins. There are many factors that will affect the success of a campaign. Connecting the results to the fee could affect the perceptions, motivations and enthusiasm of the campaign. Wittenberg gives its best to each congregation it serves.
What additional expenses will our church have to cover during the campaign?
The church will have additional expenses for printing, paper, postage, video
production, campaign mementos, and the cost of campaign fellowship events. There
could also be additional clerical staffing expenses.
What
percentage of the amount pledged actually comes
in?
STRATEGIC PLANNING FAQ’S
What is the best time to start the Strategic Planning process?
This varies from church to church.
See Your church might benefit from doing a Strategic Planning Process if…..
Some
churches undergo the strategic planning process and determine that they are
ready to move forward
immediately
with a building or renovation project. Others find that they have some
feasibility work that needs to be done first. Still others that go through our
Strategic Planning process find that their newly identified goals
and
priorities do not involve the need for capital but, instead require other
strategies and actions on the part of their leaders and
members.
Who should be on the Strategic Planning Team?
The team should consist of the key leaders of the parish. It could be the church council. It could be the elders. It could be a newly formed group of key officers, board members, and key supporters of the parish.
When will I know if my congregation needs strategic prioritizing?
Isn’t strategic prioritizing a secular process, contrary to the Gospel?