BIF FAQ

We believe the "Building in Faith" Campaign will help us all grow further in "knowing and loving God," which is the purpose of our church. For our church to be strong into the new century, we must have a good facility for our babies, children, and young people. "Building in Faith" will enable us to serve God's future with a strong church in the city, while at the same time we grow in the faith of Jesus.

2. What construction is being planned?

The construction consists of ten major components, including:

A nursery within the main building.
Larger meeting rooms for Sunday school, Junior Church and other meetings
A larger hallway to ease congestion in the Christian Education wing.
A main entry and Narthex to serve as a welcome, gathering and information area on the same level as the Sanctuary.
Room for the Library on the main floor near the Narthex.
Larger, updated handicapped accessible restrooms in the Christian Education wing. An additional small restroom is being considered in an area at the back of the Sanctuary.
The new construction will provide an alternate way from the back of the Sanctuary to the Christian Education wing, which does not involve going through the basement, outside or right through the front of the Sanctuary.
The new Christian Education wing will have a pitched roof, resulting in less maintenance and damage than we currently experience with the flat roof over the present Sunday school wing.
Rebuilding and tuck pointing of the damaged brick walls and parapets on the Sanctuary exterior.
Replacing the original, inefficient steam boiler.

3. When will we begin the building process?

The Building Committee had originally hoped to begin construction this spring; however, the final decision will not be made until after the capital campaign is completed.

4. How much will it cost?

We believe we can accomplish all of the components listed in item number 2 (above) for $1.5 million. This is an estimate and the final cost will be determined with competitive bidding among contractors in the various facets of the construction, i.e. demolition, shell, electrical, heating and cooling, roofing, furnishings, etc. We may have to made decisions/adjustments after the capital campaign ends. At that time, we will match our resources to our needs.

5. Was there any consideration given to a less expensive structure?

Yes. In fact, the above figure already reflects a less expensive building than originally announced. We must be careful because sometimes "less expensive" up front often proves to be more expensive in the long run. If we build with less expensive materials or design, our building might not have the quality and longevity we might expect. For example, it is less expensive to install a flat roof over an area like the Sunday school wing; however, we all know what kind of problems that causes. A cheap building may require more repairs and upkeep over the years, costing us additional time and money.

6. How will the proposed changes provide better access for senior citizens and physically impaired?

The renovations will provide easier access for all, and it will certainly be more inviting for our seniors and handicapped members in particular. The hallways will be much wider, thus having less congestion. There will also be handicapped-accessible restrooms on the main floor.

7. Do we really need a nursery within the building?

The nursery is one of the most important factors to young families with small children. It can be crucial in determining a church home for young parents. We will have a more accessible nursery incorporated into the main building, thus increasing security as well as providing greater convenience for our families. Several of our visitors have expressed uneasiness about leaving their children in a completely different building than the one in which they will be worshiping.

8. How will the building program affect our mission, outreach and benevolent efforts?

This is both and excellent question and one that has received thoughtful and serious attention. From the outset, our leadership has determined not to let this effort consume us and cause us to lose our primary focus. To insure that we do not lose sight of our primary mission, we must do the following:

First, we are conducting this campaign so that no ministry funded by our regular budget will be impacted in a negative way.

Second, we believe the new building will provide more opportunities to reach the 21st century community and increase the use of our facility for community outreach activities.

Third, we are convinced that by maintaining our present ministries as well as adding new ministries at our current location, the Lord will provide additional resources over the future years that will multiply all of our efforts.

9. Why have we hired an outside consultant and spent money to raise money?

It became obvious to the leadership that conducting a capital stewardship campaign is a large endeavor that requires expertise and a time commitment we do not readily have available internally. The expenditures we incur are investments in the success of the campaign, and when the costs are spread out over the three years, are very minimal. Additionally, the consultant we hired has successfully worked with over one hundred churches similar to our own. Our church leaders believe this investment makes good sense. The churches with whom we spoke, said they were able to accomplish far more by hiring professional help than they would have accomplished on their own. This idea is values as a good business practice today all across America .

10. What plan do we have to help individuals learn to be good stewards of God's blessings?

Living in a materialistic society presents many challenges. We all make poor decisions about the use of God's money at some time or another in our lives. At times God's children permit themselves to accumulate paralyzing debt, while other times we spend frivolously. Our stewardship study that began in January continues to be an excellent resource in helping us develop Biblical priorities and make lifestyle decisions that please God. In the near future, we hope to provide other helpful studies and seminars designed to help the members of Garfield Park UCC to set financial priorities in their daily living.

11. We already have bequests in the bank. How will they be used?

Our Wills and Bequests fund will provide us with $300,000 to kick off our campaign.

12. When will the financial commitments be received and for how long?

Our hope is that most people will make their financial commitment for the "Building in Faith" Campaign on May 1st, 2005. However, we will receive commitments at other times as God speaks to you and your heart. These commitments are for three years over and above the giving of our regular support for the ongoing ministries and mission of our church.

13. How much should each family give?

There is no magic formula. The Bible does teach the principle of giving in proportion to one's income and in proportion to one's blessings. Traditionally, members of churches usually give from what they have saved up, rather than from their monthly or weekly income. That is why building projects are often called "capital campaigns." People give from their capital.

God's Call to give recognizes that different people have differing abilities in regards to finances. God does not need tax brackets to figure our giving; God knows our hearts and our finances. Our whole campaign will be aimed at helping us give prayerfully and faithfully. Some families can give in hundreds; other families can give in thousands. Keep in mind that you are being asked to give over the next three years. You do not need to present your entire contribution immediately.

14. So what is "sacrificial giving?"

Sacrificial giving is giving that we notice! It involves giving over and above what you normally give to the church's ongoing ministries. It involves giving money that you might have otherwise spent elsewhere, but considered the ministries of you church more important. While no one is being asked to enter a life of poverty, giving will likely affect some aspect of your lifestyle. Often attached to the word "sacrifice" is the word "worthwhile." When we give enough to be joyful, we please God and our faithfulness to Jesus grows. (2 Samuel 24.24, Matthew 6.21, Luke 12.34, 2 Corinthians 9.7)

15. Can assets other than cash be contributed?

Yes. It is not unusual for some people to contribute investment securities, real estate, or other assets in capital campaigns. This sometimes can have wise tax advantages.

16. So, what is the church asking me to do?

Make prayer your first priority. Pray individually and collectively that God's family worshiping at Garfield Park UCC will be faithful to His call on our hearts. Pray that everything we do in this campaign is consistent with God's will for our lives and for our church. Pray also for boldness.
Remain in a "positive mind set" as we move forward in our ministries to the Indianapolis community.
When asked to participate, step forward and take part.
Do not be an obstacle to another's desire to work toward our goal.
When making a pledge, have faith that God will provide when our life is aligned with His.
See the needs, share the dream, become involved and committed to God's work.
Celebrate "Building In Faith."

17. If our giving falls below the level that is needed for the building we first pictured, what will happen?

There are several options that we can consider, including:

Take a long-term mortgage for the difference between our pledges and the cost to build the building we have envisioned and pay for it over fifteen years or so.
Build a more economically-designed facility but which still meets many of our needs for the future church.
Redesign, giving up some of the aspects of the current design.
Delay construction until we have more or all of the money needed for the current design.

18. When we renovated the Worship Center/Sanctuary in the past, it was sometimes overflowing. We presently have plenty of room in this area. So why are we considering this new project?

We wish our church to continue to be serviceable and attractive, especially to families with children,a major area of our society where God's love and wisdom is certainly needed. The latest research of the Barna Group shows that nearly half of all people who are committed to Jesus' faith made that commitment before reaching the age of 13 years. Two out of three made that commitment by their 18th birthday. In God's economy, we must not under invest in families!

Several parents have expressed significant unhappiness with the location of our nursery, the crowding in the Sunday School wing, and overcrowding of Junior Church classrooms.

We are in a competitive church age, like it or not. We either move forward or we give in. We fervently believe that God needs a strong church serving metro Indy, right from the neighborhood where God planted us. We believe these updates to our facility will help our ministries be strong for decades to come!

We all need to do our best, remaining unified under God's will and see where He will lead us! We are praying everyone will join in generously and joyfully, reflectin the wondrous God we serve!