Gaithersburg Church of the Nazarene
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GCN Building Campaign
Progress Towards Our Goals | What Can I Do To help? | Multimedia Files | FAQs
After months of planning and prayer, GCN is moving forward with a capital campaign to expand and improve our facilities. Our vision is to expand the size of our building so we can extend the reach of our ministry. We have prepared a downloadable brochure (.pdf file) that provides details about the plans and how you may help.
Our goal for the capital campaign is to obtain the resources to significantly increase the size of our facility to better accommodate existing ministries — and to launch new ones. Our focus is strengthening the Body of Christ and building relationships with people. That is ultimately what this expansion effort and our church is all about — building relationships.
GCN leaders have carefully considered how to proceeed financially with the proposed plan. Since paying off the mortgage on our current facility, the amount of the previous payment has been set aside each month. Savings from having paid off the existing mortgage plus plans for an additional mortgage will make up approximately $1.3 million of the projected $2.3 million cost. This leaves us with a need to raise $1 million through the capital campaign in order to complete all components of the proposed first phase of our project.
The Capital Campaign officially kicked off on March 2, 2008. We plan to achieve our fund raising goal within 3 years. If we are below our target, we may scale back our plans, if necessary. If we exceed our goal, we may be able to may into phase 2 of the capital campaign.
The chart to the right shows our progress towards our goal as of August 3, 2008. We have collected $142,857 towards our goal of $1 million. Also to date, we have received pledges from our membership totaling $729,797. One of our goals is to receive pledges from at least 100 individuals or families as a measure of the breadth of support for this effort. To date, we have received pledges from 86 families.
We are asking each GCN household to prayerfully consider a 3-year financial commitment to help reach the goal. To assist in planning your giving, you may print a Campaign Commitment Card, which provides a suggested giving guide. You may select the amount of your choice and the interval of payments that suits you best. In addition to cash commitments, you may choose to contribute assets, such as stocks, antiques, and collectibles. If you plan to donate non-cash gifts, simply list those assets, an approximate value, and whether you will liquidate and transfer those items to the church. In the case of stocks, you may transfer shares to the church and the church can liquidate shares with no tax consequences. The church will contact you to help arrange such transfers. If you itemize your taxes, all donations are tax-deductible.
Financial support alone will not help us reach our goal. "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127:1) Since the very beginning of our planning process, this verse has reminded us of our focus. We want God to be in our plans as we are Building to Serve...Together!
Please pray continually for our plans. You may pray for:
- God's direction and help in the campaign and construction.
- A strong faith as we consider our part in it all.
- Unity and genuine love for each other.
- Continued vital and life-changing ministry in Jesus' name.
- Increasing opportunities to build relationships.
Click on the images below to see various pictures or videos of events related to the Capital Campaign.
Artist's Concept - exterior view of main entrance Exterior view of current main entrance Architectural Concept - Interior Cutaway view On March 2, 2008, GCN kicked off the capital campaign with a special worship service and lunch. Virtual Walkthrough of New Building Concept:
A 6 minute video of the interior and exterior of the first level of the building
Note: This is a large file (39Mb). This may take a couple of minutes to download with a high speed connection, or up to an hour or longer with dial up.Interactive Virtual Walkthrough:
An application file that allows you to move through the building.
Use the arrow keys to control direction. Use the Page Up and Page Down keys to control elevation.
Note: This is a large file (46Mb). Some anti-virus and security software may prevent your computer from downloading or executing an application file.Special thanks to Manny Garcia of Manny's Multimedia for designing the virtual walkthrough! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Last Updated: June 26, 2008
- When do we get to start building?
- Does the additional cost of $300K represent a more accurate estimate or increased plans?
- There were two references to $300K gaps in our plans – 1 in pledging and one in the short-fall in keeping our mortgage equal to our old mortgage. Is the total gap $300K or $600,000?
- Any concern about how we will make up the difference in fundraising at this point?
- If we go ahead without raising the necessary funds will that affect staffing? I believe staff is of greater importance.
- How will proceeding with the building affect dollars for hiring a new Youth Pastor?
- Full-time Youth Leader? Full-time Children’s Pastor? Would we benefit having an office manager so pastor’s can be pastors and office admin can be office admin?
- Why isn’t Christian Pre-school a priority of the added space? This is an underserved need in this area.
- Will the final plans include steps in the foyer? Isn’t this against the laws concerning the handicapped – walkers, wheelchairs, elderly? The building should have no steps.
When do we get to start building?
In order to begin the Construction phase of the project we need to complete the following:
- Complete the Design phase
- Collect sufficient Pledge money and savings to begin construction
- Obtain Leadership Team, District and Congregational approval
- Secure a loan
We assume that the Design phase will take at least 6 months and could extend longer depending on the pace of county approvals and whether our financial position requires post design scope reductions. We will continue to collect pledges for the three year life of the capital campaign. We will seek Leadership Team, District, and Congregation approvals at the conclusion of the Design phase. We are already in contact with several banks to assess our options for securing a loan. It is possible that we could begin construction in a year or less if we are able to collect sufficient funds.
Does the additional cost of $300K represent a more accurate estimate or increased plans?
The current project cost estimate for design and construction is approximately $2.27M, an increase of approximately $270,000 from the original Concept plan. This increase was driven by a combination of change in project scope and improved cost estimates. The primary drivers in the cost increase include estimates for Activity Center expansion (+$214K), Construction Loan Interest (+$32K), and Loan Closing Costs (+$17K)
Change in Scope
The New Building Team has recommended that we increase the size of the Activity Center based on our determination that the dimensions could be expanded to allow for table seating of approximately 300 without significantly impacting the parking lot and storm water retention areas. This recommendation was unanimously approved by the Leadership Team. This change has resulted in an increase in our current project cost of approximately $214,000.Cost Estimate Accuracy
The New Building Team has worked over the past several months to refine project cost estimates. A financial model has been developed to help us account for a wide variety of variables including building costs, storm water mgmt costs, timing of construction, interest rates, loan terms, etc. The Design phase is a critical step in helping us continue to refine cost estimates, especially for items such as storm water management requirements imposed through county regulation.
There were two references to $300K gaps in our plans – 1 in pledging and one in the short-fall in keeping our mortgage equal to our old mortgage. Is the total gap $300K or $600,000?
The total project cost deficit is approximately $270,000. Three significant factors contribute to this gap.1) The decision to increase the size of the Activity Center has added approximately $214,000 in cost.The combination of these three factors results in approximately $262,000 of the current deficit. We expect the cost estimates to be dynamic as we progress through the Design phase and will communicate any significant changes to the Leadership Team and congregation.
2) The decision to “bank” $7,270 per month toward New Building project has added $230-$325K in savings. (the total amount will depend on the timing of construction)
3) The current short-fall in Capital campaign vs. $1M goal contributes $285,000 to the deficit.Any concern about how we will make up the difference in fundraising at this point?
Clearly, we would like to continue to receive pledges and meet our goal of 100 pledges and $1.0M. We continue to accept pledges from our congregation and we have also initiated Outside Giving and Current Vendor campaigns where we have mailed letters to our contacts and will continue to follow up at key points throughout the campaign. We believe it is critical to complete the Design phase so that we can continue to refine the cost estimates. At the conclusion of the Design phase we will assess (1) updated project cost estimates, and (2) total pledges and contributions received. Based on this information we have the following options if the deficit remains –Raise Additional Funds: our preference is to pay for as much of the construction through donations to limit our loan requirements and the burden of interest payments.The new Building Team will provide recommendations to the Leadership Team at the conclusion of the Design phase which will incorporate one or more of the options listed above.
Decrease Project Scope: eliminate specific elements of the project such as the parking lot expansion to reduce cost.
Delay Construction: this will allow us to accumulate additional pledge and interest savings before beginning construction.
Increase Loan Amount: this is the least preferred option and would depend on the overall church finances at the time we complete the Design phase.
If we go ahead without raising the necessary funds will that affect staffing? I believe staff is of greater importance.
Decisions regarding staffing are independent of the building program. Staffing decisions are made by the Leadership Team with input from the congregation and current staff. Staffing decisions are based on need and an ability to fund the position from the current Operating Budget. Proceeding to Design phase will be paid for by the Building Fund and not affect the church’s Operating Budget which pays pastoral staff salaries. The expenses related to the New Building program are paid by Capital Campaign donations and the allocation of our previous mortgage payment to the Building Fund.
The majority of the cost will be expended during the Construction phase which will require Leadership Team, District and Congregational approval before we proceed. All updated income, cost, and financing requirements will be presented to the Leadership Team at the conclusion of the Design phase and potential impacts to the church’s Operating Budget in 2009 and beyond would be assessed. Any potential impacts would be presented as input to the Leadership Team and congregation before the vote is conducted.How will proceeding with the building affect dollars for hiring a new Youth Pastor?
Proceeding to the Design phase is not related to a decision to hire a full-time Youth Pastor. The expenses related to the New Building program are paid by Capital Campaign donations and the allocation of our previous mortgage payment to the Building Fund. The Building Fund is separate from the church’s annual Operating Budget which is funded by Tithes & Offerings and pays the pastor’s salaries. In March, 2008 the Leadership Team included in our Operating Budget an expense for a part-time Youth Ministry Intern. Dan Watkins accepted this position and we are excited about his leadership in this vital area of ministry in our church. Dan will continue in this role through August with the option of an additional six months that would carry through the remainder of this church year. As the Leadership Team considers adding a full time Youth Pastor, the Leadership Team will need to review the entire Operating Budget when balancing our total income and our total expenses in the 2009 budget.Full-time Youth Leader? Full-time Children’s Pastor? Would we benefit having an office manager so pastor’s can be pastors and office admin can be office admin?
GCN hired Michelle Stringer to serve as our Administrative Assistant in August of 2007 and she has been a welcome addition to our staff. Her presence has freed up valuable time for the pastoral staff for focus on their primary mission – being pastors! In June of 2007, Pastor Terry Sweeney’s role was redirected to Children’s ministry. In March of this year, Dan Watkins accepted a part-time Youth Ministry Internship. Each of these actions has been taken to help us maintain quality ministries to our children and youth as well as adequately support the pastoral staff in their ministry.Why isn’t Christian Pre-school a priority of the added space? This is an underserved need in this area.
A Christian Pre-school is included in our overall facility expansion “Master Plan,” the space for which is provided in what has been considered to date as “Phase Three.” However, the church staff has given some consideration to beginning a Christian Pre-school earlier, utilizing existing preschool space or classroom space in the renovated MPR of Phase 1.Will the final plans include steps in the foyer? Isn’t this against the laws concerning the handicapped – walkers, wheelchairs, elderly? The building should have no steps.
If we expand the foyer as currently planned then steps will be required. This is due to the grade of our parking lot relative to our building; the elevation of the parking lot is approximately 4 feet higher than our building. The design will be in compliance with county regulations and will include either a ramp or lift. We will also work to ensure that there are entrances at ground level so that all have access to our facilities.
