Q:  What should I expect during this campaign?

A:  Expect to see God at work both in your own life and in the life of this congregation.  Expect to meet with significant obstacles—expressions of faith and worship are not always easy.  God does not promise us freedom from discouragement and failure, but he does promise us great joy as we seek and follow his direction. 

 

Q:  How will the campaign impact regular giving?

A:  The new facility is only part of a strategic plan which includes focus on missions and prayer.  Trinity’s history shows a willingness to pledge funds for building on top of rather than in place of regular giving.  Despite purchasing the land and beginning plans for a new facility, last year’s consistory approved the current general and benevolent budgets with substantial increases over those of the previous year, and we expect this to continue.  In many cases a capital campaign actually increases regular giving as people wrestle with the idea of stewardship and what it means for their lives.  This is what we are expecting at Trinity as well. 

 

Q:  Why do we need a new building?

A:  In 2004, our average worship attendance was 442.  In 2008, that number to date is 626.  During that same time, the number of children (infants through high school) has increased from 200 to 275.  There are 12-15 ministry groups meeting in the church each week.  We are bursting at the seams, the momentum for construction of a new facility is high, and we believe that this timing is God’s timing.

 

Q:  When would construction begin?

A:  The earliest construction could begin would be summer of 2009.

 

Q:  Will I be pressured to give?

A:  No.  This campaign is about developing a culture of stewardship in our entire congregation.  That is exciting!  And we are asking you to prayerfully participate as we all learn what living in a culture of stewardship means.  We don’t want to build this new facility without the investment of each person who calls Trinity home.  What we’re asking is that you ask God what your investment should and could be. 

 

Q:  Why are we using a capital campaign consultant instead of raising the money by ourselves? 

A:  Churches using campaign consultants typically raise 2 to 4 times more money than churches developing their own campaigns.  Our consultant from Generis, Joe Brand, brings expertise, a church leadership background (he is a former pastor), and a proven process for us to follow. 

 

Q:  Will we have debt?

A:  Yes.  It is highly unlikely that a capital campaign would produce enough money to finance the entire building.  Trinity’s first major building campaign in 1919 resulted in half the cost pledged up front with the rest being paid off over the next 25 years.  The finance team has determined that Trinity could accept a debt load of $2 to 2.5 million. 

 

Q:  What if we don’t make our goal?

A:  We will praise God for what he has provided, and we will make

prayerful decisions about staging the construction to best use available resources including pledged amounts and responsible loan amounts. 

  

Q:  What happens to the existing building?

A:  We would continue to use the current facility for offices and education until those phases of the new facility have been completed. As that date nears, we will ask the congregation’s help in determining the future of the downtown site.

 

Q:  Seems like we are making a lot of sacrifices, and not getting very much for $5million. Shouldn’t we just stay here and add on?

A:  When we looked at the option of building on the existing site in the fall of 2006, the facility size that was drawn was approximately 40,000 square feet. If you remember, that concept took up the rest of the block, with the exception of 42 parking spaces on the NW corner of the block. There was a tiny amount of green space with that concept. In addition, the concept included demolition of the existing sanctuary building which would require that Trinity worship elsewhere during construction. Our master planning that was completed this summer, showed a vision for up to 70,000 square feet of ministry space. In addition, the new site provides room for ball fields, gardens, wildlife areas, etc. This plan gives Trinity 72% more ministry space to work with. It establishes us on the site, so that future phases will have infrastructure available. It provides options for many phases long into the future—we would not be land locked for a very very long time. It is a risk, but Trinity has a history of not being risk-adverse. Trinity follows God’s leading even though it may

 

Q:  Are we planning on three phases to build everything? How long will that take?

A:  Only God knows what the future of Trinity and the timing of future projects would be.

 

Q:  It is hard to believe that 25% of the population in 15-mile radius is not involved in their faith.

A:  We encourage you to read the reports. The national average is 35%, so that means that this area has a higher percentage than the national average that are involved in their faith. However, with a population of over 28,000 in the survey area, this equates to approximately 7,000 people that are not involved in their faith.

 

Q:  What is the current facility size? How much can the current sanctuary hold?

A:  The current facility is 27,752 square feet. The current sanctuary can hold a maximum of approximately 325-350 people without setting up chairs in the aisles and assuming every bench is used.

 

Q:  What about 2 campuses? When did 2 locations become part of the plan?

A:  While everyone recognizes that having two locations are not ideal, it is a necessary step at this point in the journey. As a church, it does not appear that we can afford to build enough space to fit all functions desired right off the bat. However, this project will give 72% more ministry space when added to what we have today.

 

Q:  We need some flexible space for adults.

 A:  That would be extremely nice. The team is working with the architect to create this space; however, budget is the limiting factor. The project budget cannot be finalized until after the stewardship campaign. Until then it appears that we would need to eliminate space elsewhere to create this space.

 

Q:  Will we be able to see the platform in the sanctuary?

A:  Yes, we should all be able to see adequately.

 

Q:  Why design café and catering kitchen instead of a full commercial kitchen?

A:  The thought process is to create space that can be used on a very regular basis for fellowship and conversations. A future phase likely will include space for a better fellowship hall near the sanctuary, with a full kitchen connected to that space.

 

Q:  Can we salvage and reuse the green carpet?

A:  Not sure at this point. We sure hope so!   

 

Q:  Shouldn’t we have a basement?

A:  Ideally yes. However, a basement is not free, plus it needs two sets of stairs, or exits at grade, and an elevator. However, it is very desirable as a storm shelter and for plumbing. The FOT will continue to explore this possibility.

 

Q:  How will we transport kids between two sites?

A:  Not sure at this point. This is a potential ministry opportunity though. It could provide people a way to connect to Trinity’s purpose by serving through the giving of rides.

 

Q:  Are there similar designs that the FOT has looked at?

A:  The FOT has looked at many existing church facilities in the area and beyond. In addition, several people have given us pictures and drawings of facilities they have visited. We do not recall looking at one similar to this design. However, examples were given in Omaha and Lincoln, NE and Mitchell, SD. We hope to visit these facilities.

 

Q:  How will parents pick up kids?

A:  The direction of children’s ministry is for an increased focus on children’s safety and security. The desire is to have children and parents connect in the grand hall, and to have approved volunteers facilitating children to the proper room in the children’s hall.

 

Q:  How will funerals be served?

A:  Not exactly sure at this point. However, a possibility is to partition off the café area so that tables can be set up on a temporary basis to facilitate the preparation of food. Essentially the entire east end of the grand hall can be used as a food preparation and serving area. Talk to an FOT member to look at some drawings with possibilities.

 

Q:  What is the size of the Grand Hall? How many can we seat?

 A:  Approximately 30’ x 120’ which equates 3,600 square feet. This would provide enough space for 125-150 seated as overflow. In a dining configuration it appears that we might be able to fit around 200-250 people. That may be a bit optimistic.

 

Q:  How will Sundays work with concurrent worship/education? What is concurrent?

A:  The concept of concurrent worship and education developed because of the need to maximize space utilization. The idea would be for parents and children to attend one of the two services and be in Sunday School during the other service. There would need to be a 15-30 minute break between the two services.

 

Q:  Is there a mother’s room?

A:  At this time, there is not dedicated mother’s room. If the desire is to have space to bring a noisy child until they quiet down, then the grand hall will work beautifully. Options for moms to nurse would be a partitioned off area in the grand hall or one of the nurseries or the family restroom.

 

Q:  Can we borrow $2.5 million above the stewardship campaign? What was the estimated interest rate and term used to determine the amount?

A:  The finance team has looked long and hard at this question and is confident that Trinity could do this. An estimated interest rate of 6.5% and a term of 25 years were used for the calculations.