Capital Campaigns and Biblical Stewardship
Guest Post by Brendan Manson, President of Fellowship Development
Capital campaigns are intensive fundraising endeavors aimed at securing substantial funding within a set timeframe. Typically, these campaigns support projects like constructing a new church, renovating facilities or retiring debt. However, beneath the financial surface lies a profound question: Do capital campaigns align with biblical stewardship? The Word of God reveals a harmony between capital campaigns and stewardship and provides valuable lessons for today’s church leaders.
Two Biblical Examples of Capital Campaigns and Stewardship
To explore the connection between capital campaigns and stewardship, we turn to the Bible, which provides stewardship principles to guide our understanding.
Exodus 35 - The Building of the Tabernacle
The Israelites, liberated from Egyptian bondage, embarked on their journey to the Promised Land. Along the way, they received a divine call to construct the Tabernacle. This story focuses on the people's response when given the opportunity to give. Former slaves, who had experienced divine generosity, gave generously to meet the needs of their place of worship. This act exemplifies the essence of stewardship – a response of faith and the responsible management of resources, even after experiencing abundance.
2 Corinthians 8-9 - A Special Offering for Jerusalem Christians
The teachings of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 8-9 emphasize the stewardship aspect of caring for those in need within the Christian community. In this instance, Paul directed Titus to lead the Corinthian church in a campaign to support impoverished Christians in Jerusalem. Paul's instructions emphasized joyful and intentional giving, reflecting the essence of Christian stewardship. Giving becomes not just a transaction but an authentic expression of devotion to God and commitment to His people.
Capital Campaigns Respond to Special Needs and Circumstances
Stewardship was intrinsic to the identity, faith, and praxis of the Israelites. Their daily life was marked by laws and rituals expressing their identity as stewards, not owners. Among these laws was the practice of tithing, recognizing that everything belongs to God and supporting the ordinary needs of the community. However, God's call to build a tabernacle and respond to the needs of the impoverished in Jerusalem were not ordinary occurrences; they required an extraordinary response beyond ordinary giving. Today, God continues to call faith communities to undertake extraordinary missions like building a new church, launching a new ministry or responding to the call of the poor. Capital campaigns serve as a biblical and stewardship-driven response to this divine call.
Capital Campaigns as Discipleship and Ministry
A capital campaign is not merely a financial endeavor, just as the collection for building the Tabernacle and providing famine relief in Jerusalem was not just about raising funds. A capital campaign is about nurturing faith, deepening discipleship and serving others. A faith-driven campaign also unites individuals and communities in faith, fostering a shared purpose and ownership in their community's future.
Inclusive Stewardship: Every Member's Contribution Matters
The church is a Body, and every member, regardless of their financial capacity, should be invited to share their time, talent and treasure. Historically, churches have sometimes turned exclusively to affluent members to fund projects, but this approach does not align with the principles of stewardship, which calls for the participation of all members and values contributions of all sizes.
In Exodus 35, Bezalel and Oholiab led the work of building the Tabernacle, inviting everyone to participate according to their ability, reflecting the biblical principle that every individual has a role in the work of the church.
The apostle Paul, despite knowing affluent individuals who could have provided substantial support to the famine-stricken without a major campaign, chose the path of stewardship. He engaged the entire community, valued gifts of all sizes and shapes, and treated contributions from widows and millionaires alike with equal regard.
When approached through the lens of biblical stewardship, capital campaigns not only fund important projects but also deepen faith, discipleship and community engagement. With every member's involvement, your capital campaign can fulfill its divine call and spiritually enrich the entire congregation, aligning with the essence of faith, responsible resource management and the recognition that every contribution matters.
For Further Reading
How to Use “Thank You” as a Powerful Opportunity to Connect with Givers
When God Provides a Surplus, it’s Always for a Purpose
Engaging Givers from First Gift to Lapsed or Legacy
Five Ways Budgeting Makes your Life Easier, Not Harder
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