Because People Matter
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Because People Matter?
Because People Matter is our capital campaign theme. Because People Matter to our Heavenly Father, they matter to us at Christ Church. Christ Church exists because we want to reach thousands of unchurched persons and help them become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

What are we giving towards?
We want to be wise in the way we use the money that people sacrifice and give to Christ Church. We know that through obedience and sacrifice God blesses His people. There are 4 key areas where our Because People Matter money will be used:

• We want 10% (a tithe) to go towards starting new churches in developing countries. At Christ Church we have strong convictions about tithing. We teach Biblical principles to our worshippers, and we practice it in our own capital campaigns by giving 10% to start new churches. Our American dollars go a long way in these countries and our investment here will reach unchurched persons throughout the world and help them become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
• We will give to help a community of 8,000 in Bulgaria with no church, build a church. Update: We were able to give $50,000 to the church in Bulgaria and they are now worshiping in a new facility.
• We will pay a pastor’s salary in Ghana. Update: We have given $6,000 to the World Methodist Evangelism to support pastors in Ghana.
• We will start new churches in Nairobi, Kenya.
• We will also be investing in missionary training for pastors in Rio De Jinero, Nairobi, and Ghana. This training will equip local pastors to be missionaries.
• We will be saving seed money for our St. Stephens campus to purchase land and build its own facility. Currently, our St. Stephens campus meets at St. Stephens High School. We have a one year contract and are praying that will be renewed for an additional year. A permanent facility needs to be considered now. Update: We have purchased a 31 acre tract for the St. Stephens Campus.
• We want to create an irresistible environment for our children on all three campuses. Families often attend Christ Church because their children urge them to come. We want to continue this in an intentional way. Update: Both our Statesville and Mountain View campuses have been remodeled to create a truly irresistible environment.
• Finally, we want to finish what we started by paying down the debt on current facilities in Mt. View and Statesville. Update: We have been able to pay down approximately $400, 000 in debt, but it is vital to continue with this process so that as each campus continues to grow we will be able to build when needed. St Stephens had over 600 in worship recently and they will be a need to build at some point.

What are the goals of the Because People Matter campaign?
We have a two-fold goal for this campaign:

• $1,000,000 cash in hand on Miracle Weekend, March 31 and
  April 1, 2007, and
• $2,000,000 in pledges over a three year period with a total goal of $3,000,000 for the entire Because People Matter campaign.

What is Miracle Weekend?
Miracle Weekend, March 31 and April 1, 2007, was the beginning of our Because People Matter Capital Campaign. We believed that God called us to ask for $1,000,000 to be given. Update: We received commitments exceeding that goal.

Why is there an urgency to pay down the debt?
All of our campuses are growing and need resources and facilities to continue to grow. If we are tied up in debt, we will not be able to facilitate our growth in the future and continue in important ministries.

• St. Stephens needs a permanent facility, so we can become a 7 day a week church to reach out to that community. Update: We just purchased land for the St. Stephen campus, in cash, through Because People Matter and the generosity of our annual conference.
• Statesville needs expanded parking and a new sound system.
• Mt. View will hit its limit in adult worship by 2010, and the nursery and preschool space will reach its limit well before that by exceeding 2,700 in worship – we will plateau unless we plan now for future growth.

How will commitments be made?
The gifts for Because People Matter are above and beyond your regular giving. We have an opportunity to give over the remaining two-year period starting May 1, 2008 until April 30, 2010. Confidential commitments for the two years will be made on the Because People Matter Anniversary Weekend on May 3 and 4, 2008. These commitments can be made either by giving weekly, monthly, or annually for the two-year period. Some may be led to give non-cash gifts such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and jewelry.

Will new members be asked to help fund the project?
Yes, people who join Christ Church in the future will be given an opportunity to make a commitment through membership classes and through our capital campaign follow up team.

What is the financial state of our church?
Christ Church’s budget for 2008 is $2.9 million. We have $7.1 million in assets, but we are $3.7 million in debt. In 2008, we have included the interest on our loans into our operating budget.

Through God’s provision and the faithfulness of our worshippers, we ended our 2007 budget in the black. Through the sacrifice and gifts of 283 families, we raised almost $1 million through our last capital campaign. Now is a crucial time for the next stage of growth for our church. If families continue to give and sacrifice, we will be able to go to the next level in our ministries to reach unchurched persons and to help them become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Are we growing too big – too fast?
God has blessed us with more people and more ministries in three locations. We know that God is transforming people’s lives, bringing healing and salvation, and calling people to ministries. We are excited to be a part of that. Rick Warren, author of A Purpose Driven Life and 40 Days of Community, reminds us that if there is one unchurched person in our community, then we are too small.

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