The Port Huron District

UMC Capital Project Process

Local Church is required to develop:

1. Ministry Plan
2. Building Plan
3. Finance Plan

In order to guide and help the local church to:

1. Analyze the needs of the church and the community
2. Vision its ministry for the future
3. Provide appropriate facilities to house the ministry that they need and can afford

What's "Normal" in Congregational Giving?

• Per MEMBER giving = Total Expenditures divided by Total Membership
• Per ATTENDEE Giving = Total Expenditures divided by Average Attendance
• Seasonal Variations

Step-Up Chart — Total Weekly giving per Giving-Unit on Record

• ____ $250+
• ____ $200-$249
• ____ $150-$199
• ____ $101-$149
• ____ $76-$100
• ____ $51-$75
• ____ $31-$50
• ____ $21-$30
• ____ $11-$20
• ____ $1-$11
• ____ under $1

The Giving Pyramid — Norm: The top 25% give 75% of the total.

This is true for both operating and capital giving.

Steps in Church Building Finance Plan:

Phase One:	Down Payment	Present Building Fund – Miracle Sunday
Phase Two:	Under Construction	First year pledged income
Phase Three:	Debt Reduction	Series of annual pledges
Phase Four:	Debt Elimination	Planned gifts – early payoff campaign

Guideline – How Much Can a Church Afford for Debt Retirement?

• No more that 30% of your present general fund income
• No present debt – No significant conflict – Stable or growing ministry
• People generally like the project being proposed
• Example: church budget: $100,000 x 30% = $30,000 annuall or $2,500/month
• If 7% mortgage for 15 years [10 is better] – $8.44 per thousand borrowed, therefore $2,500/month would finance $279,000