On This Rock...Building Faith. Frequently Asked Questions
Q&A for On This Rock...Building Faith
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Why do we need a permanent facility at all, ever? Why raise money for a permanent home now?
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Why are we planning to obtain a mortgage? Why not wait until we grow more and pay cash?
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Why should I give when I am not sure if I will live here much longer?
1. Why do we need a permanent facility at all, ever? Why raise money for a permanent home?
As we prayed, God spoke to our leadership team in a clear, unmistakable and unanimous way that we are called to acquire a permanent facility, and now is the time to begin financing it. This campaign is to build us up spiritually as our faith is stretched by sacrificial giving. This aspect of the campaign is more important than land or a building, for land and building are not ends in themselves, but tools to accomplish our mission. The building is not so much for us as it is for the people that God is calling us to reach. The Church is people, not a building, and this project is about facilitating our mission:
We love Jesus. We love our neighbors.
We make disciples who make disciples.
We plant churches that plant churches.It is because we really do love Jesus that we have a zeal for His house. Yet while many of us live in large homes, the Lord has no house among us. We can make more and better disciples from a permanent home.
Land costs have risen dramatically over time; we desire to buy land while we can still afford to do so. Currently we spend almost $50,000 per year for the limited use of the school gym and expect to pay $30,000 per year for much needed office space.
2. Why the plan for a “starter home?”
We hope to grow in stages. We need an initial home that will provide 24/7 space for us. Our resources are small at this initial stage, so we are looking at a starter home for our church. This would accommodate our Sunday worship needs (seats for 200) and office space. A starter home is not our final vision for a physical plant for our community. Our final vision is for 10- 15 acres of land in Loudoun County, including an 800 seat sanctuary, a chapel, large multipurpose space, many classrooms and offices, playground, soccer field, and prayer garden.
3. How much should I give?
We ask you to seek the Lord in prayer diligently, and to give no more and no less than God directs you to give. Like all campaigns in the Bible, On This Rock is a freewill offering beyond the tithe. Please read 1 Chronicles 28, 29, King David’s campaign for the Temple, and 2 Corinthians 8, 9, the Apostle Paul’s Campaign for the believers in Jerusalem. The amount you give is between you and God. We ask you to give prayerfully and sacrificially for God’s Kingdom Glory.
4. How soon could we be under roof?
That will depend on the generosity of God's people. If we decide on an office condo, it could be in a year or less. The process for buying land and building a building is typically at least a three year process from signing a contract.
5. Why are we planning to obtain a mortgage? Why not wait until we grow more and pay cash?
We would not be able to afford the starter home we need without a mortgage.
“Waiting to grow more” is a chicken and egg problem. Studies of our area show that churched and unchurched people alike overwhelmingly choose churches with buildings over those without.
Obtaining a permanent home will enable us to grow more, sooner. Most churches pay off their mortgages within 7 years, which would be our goal.
6. What if we don’t raise enough?
Our goal would be delayed, not denied. Whatever money we raise for On This Rock, it will either enable us to buy a parcel of land or to take advantage of other opportunities for a church home as they arise.
7. Will this divert money from mission?
A building is an investment in mission for the future. Again, the building is not so much for us as it is for the people that God is calling us to reach. It is physically impossible for us to accomplish everything that God has called us to do while remaining in a school. We spend enormous amounts of energy just setting up and tearing down every week, energy better spent on mission and evangelism. We plan to give 10% of the money we raise in On This Rock for mission projects in Uganda and elsewhere.
8. What is the calendar for On This Rock?
We are in the third year of our Capital Campaign. Our families will complete their commitments by early 2009.
9. Why should I give when I am not sure if I will live here much longer?
We encourage you to view your sacrificial gift not so much as an investment for yourself and your family as for the Kingdom of God. It’s about God and the people we have not yet reached, as well as it is for your family. What’s in it for you is building your faith, and building the Kingdom of God in this place. None of us can say for certain whether or not we will be here in the years to come. God may call you away, or the Lord may return in glory. Wherever you may go, you will benefit from others who came before, prepared a place for you, and were called away. If CHS is your spiritual community now, we ask you to participate. We should do no less for those who will come after us.
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Ashburn, VA (703) 726-0777
