Epic Building Campaign Update
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On Sunday, May 16, I informed you of our current status with what has been called the Epic Campaign. You can hear the audio of my update if you click on the above player.
The Epic Campaign began in 2007, when the Elders of Crossbridge put before the church our vision to become a Gospel-Centered Missional Church. We spent about 10 weeks talking about the implications of the Gospel in our church and our city. At that same time, we began to cast vision for moving from being a portable church to a church with a facility. That facility is, of course, our present one at 1049 Eldridge in Sugar Land.
We had a very big challenge in front of us as the almost 15,000 square feet we occupy now was basically a dump, and no where near being able to meet city code for occupancy or provide an environment for worship, teaching, and community. After a lot of prayer, investigation, and conversation, we estimated that to build out this facility to our needs and city code, it was going to cost 1.5 million dollars. We presented this to our church over the course of the Epic series. A building was not our vision, but we all knew God was calling us to have a mission base in which to see our vision realized.
We raised about $300k in cash, and then people in our congregation committed to sacrificially give over and above their regular tithes and offerings $1.3 million in pledges to be given over three years. This was given and committed on a special Sunday called “Commitment Sunday” in our Epic Campaign. We then began the process of finalizing our lease, construction contracts, and loan for our construction. That took longer than our leadership anticipated, so we didn’t begin construction on 1049 until late Fall 2008, and then moved into the facility March 2009.
Then the recession hit and everything changed. Crossbridgers began to move to other parts of the country because of new jobs; salaries were cut; people lost their jobs; and people took new jobs with less pay. And of course, this has affected our giving – how could it not?
So we find ourselves falling behind in paying off our construction loan. We are due to make a payment this Fall and then the final payment, the Fall of 2011.
The Elders of Crossbridge (historically called the Pastoral Advisory Team, but biblically, they are our Elders), would like for Crossbridge to prayerfully consider a sacrificial giving commitment to help us pay off this debt so that we meet this commitment and move forward in what we feel God is calling us to do in this city.
On June 6, we are asking you to let us know what God is leading you to do. That Sunday, we are asking Crossbridgers to turn in a commitment card with what they sense God is leading them to do.
Our mission, friends, is not to pay off debts, but to make known that Christ has paid for our sins, so lives can be changed by the gospel. Paying the debt off will help us continue to walk through the doors God is opening for us to make Him known in our city.
You are a people who pray and sacrifice, Crossbridge. I am confident that God will speak to you. I know that times are lean, and we are all stretched, but as we pray, surrender to God afresh, and listen to His voice I am confident He will lead us and provide for us.
You are privilege to pastor,
Chuck
Financial Summary
Budget for the 1049 build-out: $1.5 million
Total cost to the 1049 build-out/retrofit project: $1,398,827.66
Money received: $797,677.54
Loan balance: $601,150.12
Needed by October 2010: $93,950
Estimated shortfall in October 2011 (loan balance due): $391,500 (if giving continues at present level)
Average weekly need to pay off remainder of loan: $7,909 per week in building fund giving over the next 76 weeks to pay off the remainder of the loan. (This is over and above our needed $13,109.62 per week of operating expenses.)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to make a giving commitment in support of the vision?
We are asking everyone to prayerfully decide how much money they will give to support the Crossbridge vision. This giving would occur over the next 16 months and will result in paying off the loan. The amount is not a replacement of what you already give to Crossbridge, but should be over and above what you are currently giving to Crossbridge. We must maintain our operating budget so that day-to-day church operations will be unaffected.
How can I give?
You will be able to give by cash, check, or by electronic check/credit card at www.crossbridge.cc as well.
Will my contribution be made public?
No. Absolutely not. Only the total of all commitments received will be announced.
What do we do now?
We are asking all who call Crossbridge their church to do three things…
1. Surrender – Surrender your whole life anew to the Lord Jesus Christ. Seek first to have every area of your life ruled by Him and centered on what He had done for you in the Gospel.
2. Ask – Ask the Lord what your role in this step for Crossbridge would be? What specific amount does He want you to give?
a. If married then pray separately and then come together and pray as well. Many times God will speak to couples in miraculous ways during seasons of seeking of Him.
b. If you have children old enough to understand what we are doing encourage them to pray about their role in this. What would Jesus have them do or give? You may be surprised at how the Lord will speak to them as well.
There are two basic approaches to giving:
* I can give based on REASON. This means I look at what I have, figure out what is “reasonable,” and commit that amount. It takes no faith to give by reason. Reason asks, “What can I afford?”
* I can give based on REVELATION. This means I determine my gift by praying, “Lord, what do you want to give through me?” This requires faith. When you make giving a matter of prayer, your decision becomes an act of worship. Revelation giving is asking “How much am I willing to trust God?”
Paul said of the Macedonians, “They gave not only what they could afford, they gave even more than they could afford!” -2 Corinthians 7:3
3. Obey – What do you believe that God has said to you? What amount do you believe God has told you to give? Give that cheerfully and obediently!
4. Decide as a family the total amount you’ll give, hold hands and have a prayer of commitment similar to this:
“Father, this is a big step for us. We’re asking you to strengthen our faith and help us grow spiritually through giving. We thank you for all you have given us. We know we wouldn’t have anything if it weren’t for you. We want to be cheerful givers. We’re claiming the promises you’ve said in your Word that you’ll take care of our needs if we trust you. Thank you for this opportunity to grow. Thank you for our church. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
