Questions about NOW
Q. How much money is needed for the NOW campaign?
A. The total amount is estimated at $6 million. That's $2.5 million for the Children's Wing/Adult Ministry area, $2.5 for the Sports/Recreation Facility, and $500,000 each for community and world outreach programs. Bethel has $1.2 million set aside already. That leaves $4.8 million to be raised from individuals.
Q. When will the money be used?
A. It will be invested over a three-year period, from 2006 through 2008.
Q. How much should I give?
A. God wants us to give generously, sacrificially, and cheerfully, knowing that all we have is His. He probably wants all of us to stretch our giving for this special vision, and will use unexpected windfalls and miracles in addition to tithe commitments and additional offerings from our normal incomes. The most important things are to listen to the Scripture concerning the minimum level of giving God expects from His obedient kids (Matt. 3:8-10), and listen to the Spirit concerning what He would have us give beyond the minimum. For perspective, here are two ways of looking at how He might want to work:
1. If only those who gave last year gave about 1.6 times as much for three years, we would have the additional $4.8 million.
2. If those at Bethel who did not tithe last year increased their giving to the church to 10%, we would exceed the goal.
Q. When are the money and pledges needed?
A. On February 12, people should give their pledges for amounts they plan to give through 2008. An initial offering will also be received on February 12. The pledges and first offering will enable Bethel leaders to begin committing funds for facililties, staff, and program costs.
Q. Can we choose which facilities and programs to contribute to?
A. No. Bethel leaders, through much prayer and discussion over a number of months, feel this combination of facilities and programs represents God's leading to grow His kingdom through Bethel. NOW funds will replace Bethel's previous Days of Giving, where people were asked to contribute to various special ministries throughout the year.
Q. Why can't this money come from our regular giving?
A. The budget from regular giving pays for expenses like staff, facility operations, and ongoing ministries. This will continue. Funding NOW means stretching to meet additional needs in our congregation, community, and world.
Q. How will givers be assured that contributions are being used appropriately?
A. The groups responsible for managing each facility or program must submit specific detailed expenditure plans to the elders for approval before the funds are released. Bethelites will receive ongoing updates on expenditures, activities, and ministry impacts.
Q. When will the existing debt on the church be paid off?
A. The balance remaining on the main auditorium and existing Children's Wing, about $1,338,700, is expected to be paid off in 2010. The remaining debt on the Fellowship Hall and office area, about $644,440, will be paid by 2018.
Q. Why can't the existing Fellowship Hall be used as a sports facility?
A. The Fellowship Hall is often booked up for ministries all week long, including evenings. And it wasn't designed for most recreation activities. The design concept for the multipurpose Sports/Recreation Facility has wood floors, regulation-height ceilings, space for equipment storage, restroom/changing rooms, a raised stage, and bleacher seating for spectators.
Q. Will volunteers be asked to help build the new areas, as we did for the Fellowship Hall?
A. The Children's Wing/Adult Addition would use some volunteer labor from Bethel to save costs. The Sports/Recreational Facility requires specialized construction skills and would use paid contractors.
Q. How do we contribute?
A. Fill out the Commitment Response card in the enclosed packet. Bring your pledge and/or contribution to the Celebration Sunday worship service on February 12, 2006. Place cash/check gifts in the offering boxes at Bethel or mail your gift to the church office at 600 Shockley Road, Richland, WA 99352. Please note on your check, "NOW Fund." For other forms of donations (stocks, bonds, property, etc.), contact Tom Mathieu at 627-5314.
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