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When churches talk capital improvements, they're talking big money.

There was a time when funding for such undertakings—whether a new roof, an addition to the sanctuary, or a new building on a new campus—could be raised within a congregation or through comfortable connections in the local community. Wealthy members would be asked to supplement their tithe with additional funds. A local banker, usually a church member or the friend of one, might be counted on for a favorable loan. And churches were often located in or near the center of local communities, giving those communities substantial incentive to invest in their growth.

Times have changed. Prices have risen, especially for land, and churches have bigger dreams. So, individuals, even those financially well-off, lack the resources to pay for substantial new construction. The "local" banker may actually work hundreds of miles away, and many small banks can no longer afford to finance significant building projects. Moreover, churches have moved out of the towns and cities and into the suburbs. New congregations, in particular, tend to be built in formerly rural areas where homes, but not communities, are now located. The population surrounding the church lacks motivation to financially support its maintenance and growth.

The decline of local support for religious institutions has been balanced, however, by the growth of new resources that are available to assist the church prepared to commit to a building project. National in size and able to muster wide expertise, a diverse group of companies have achieved success in guiding churches to develop a God-given vision and accomplish it. What unifies them is a focus on meeting the needs and calling of each client.

With the help of these companies, here's a look at the varied options for supporting a capital program.

• Stewardship within the church. When a church undertakes a building project, it is not simply erecting a structure, it is deciding what God is calling it to be. This is the message preached by stewardship development firms, which assist churches in raising funds within their congregations. As Pat Graham of Cargill Associates in Fort Worth, Texas, explains, "The question is not how much the project will cost, but why are we doing this?"

Developing a vision for the building program from the outset can mean the difference between success and failure. Churchgoers cannot be counted on to increase their giving simply because a need has been identified. Bill Wilson, president of Resource Services, Incorporated, (RSI) in Dallas, Texas, says, "People don't give to buildings. They don't give to programs. They give to ministry."

Potential givers want to know who is being helped. "People give to things that touch or change lives," Wilson says.

Consultants agree that raising money requires a consensus among church leadership as to where God is taking their ministry. Prior to making any decisions, church leaders must have a clear vision for what ministry the new construction will serve and what level of funding their congregation can realistically support. Churches are typically advised to begin a campaign with a period of spiritual reflection, together with a pragmatic analysis of the community the congregation is serving. As Pat Graham puts it, it is important to ask, "What does our church do that delights people?"

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