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After much study and prayer, the elders of First Church determined they should expand their facilities. They estimated they needed $600,000 to complete the project. They also decided they didn't need any outside help to raise the necessary funds. They could do it themselves! That was a year ago. Today First Church is struggling to bring momentum, structure, and consistency to its building program.

Across town, the session at Grace Church confronted a similar challenge. They, too, knew they needed to expand their facilities, and they knew they had to raise nearly a million dollars to realize their vision. Unlike First Church, they determined they really didn't know how to raise that kind of cash. They decided to call in a capital fundraising expert to do the campaign for them—completely. But, to date, they haven't found an expert willing to take on the entire project without significant church involvement.

Both churches are learning that a capital campaign can be a defining moment in any local church—for good or ill. It is an extraordinary process that involves procedures and practices that are not a regular part of church life. Consequently, more than any other dimension of stewardship, the capital campaign requires professional assistance. That's why First Church continues to struggle. And, while Grace Church understands its need for outside help, the desire to turn building funding over entirely to an outside firm shows the church's misunderstanding of the critical partnership needed between a church and capital campaign firm to guarantee program success. A church does not hire a firm to "do" a campaign, but to coach church members in their project roles and responsibilities.

Every successful capital campaign, whether for new construction, renovation, debt reduction, or budget enhancement, has a structure and a timeline from inception to completion. While campaign lengths vary, four years is typical, and a capital campaign firm is involved at strategic points when expertise and organization are needed most.

Before launching a capital campaign, church leaders need to seek God's guidance on a vision for expanded ministry.

"George Barna says that the number-one motivation for sacrificial giving is a compelling vision," says Steve Johnson, director of Ministry Campaign Services in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

From this compelling vision will come direction on critical questions such as: What is the new facility going to facilitate? Are there nonstructural solutions to the space crunch? And are the need and the solution compelling enough to call church members to sacrificial giving?

Not surprisingly, it is essential at this initial stage to gain vision buy-in and commitment from leaders and influencers within the congregation. Mark McPeak, chief operating officer of IMPAC Services in Brentwood, Tennessee, notes that if there is any division regarding the vision, even the best-designed campaigns can be undermined. "It is important for the church to do due diligence, whether through meetings, retreats, surveys, or other ways, to determine readiness," McPeak says. "We don't study project feasibility from the standpoint of financing, but from attitude and spiritual readiness."

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