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More than $2 million pledged for 'Bridges to the Future'
Sarah and Brad Shirer visit with Bishop Scott Jones at a �Bridges to the Future� reception for the Great Bend area. (photo by Sue Dondlinger) |
Written: 2/7/2008
By Sue Dondlinger
Kansas West Conference capital campaign director
This month, we are celebrating the early success of the �Bridges to the Future� capital campaign. Currently, pledges total $2,241,002.
We kicked off the campaign six months ago, after an overwhelming vote of confidence at the 2007 Annual Conference. To date, 313 churches have scheduled or received Bridges campaign presentations, which represents 84 percent of the churches in the Kansas West Conference.
Church pledges total $1,463,791. With a campaign goal of $4.2 million, we are counting on every church in the Kansas West Conference to participate in this great ministry effort. We truly appreciate the steering committee members, who have been diligent in making these church presentations and encouraging the church pledges.
�I�m just thrilled at the reports I hear about church presentations made around the conference,� said Rev. Pat Ault-Duell, chairperson of the church segment of the capital campaign.
�Our congregations are opening their doors, their hearts and their pocketbooks to this great vision for the future. I think everyone understands that this campaign is really about investing in the next generation of United Methodist ministry in Kansas, and people just want to be a part of that dream,� Ault-Duell said.
The ministries supported by the capital campaign are camping ministries, campus ministries at state colleges, new church land and start-up, Hispanic ministries and revitalization of existing congregations.
It�s important to address these capital needs now. Throughout the years, continuous use at camping sites has taken a toll. Coupled with deferred maintenance and repairs, it now is essential these facilities be put in a proper state of repair, making tools for ministry more effective.
Many of our campus ministries have no place to call home. They are housed in inadequate quarters, which limit programs and deter student participation.
Church growth, revitalization and Hispanic ministries need funding to establish new churches and revitalize existing congregations. These capital needs are clear and pressing. We must do them now.
Asbury United Methodist Church�s gift of $651,896 sent the campaign pledge total over the half-way mark. Asbury parishioners have been loyal, solid supporters of new-church growth and new starts for years. So, a capital campaign that has an emphasis on new-church starts in growing population centers is a perfect match for Asbury.
�Church growth takes place in two directions�revitalization and establishment of new church campuses,� said Rev. Dennis Wallace, senior pastor at Asbury UMC. �We believe that the heartbeat of the gospel is to reach people who aren�t connected to God, either because they aren�t attending their neighborhood church or because they have no church in their neighborhood. Asbury has always been willing and energize
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The Asbury pledge tithe goal was actually $106,629, which makes their five-year pledge of $651,896 unique and God-inspired.
We have seen many other churches of the Kansas West Conference embrace and support this campaign with love that we could only pray was possible.
Immanuel United Methodist Church in Bird City had a tithe goal of $7,621, and, on Oct. 17, we received their pledge for $7,621. It was the perfect way to start a campaign that relies heavily on church pledges.
Rev. Juanita Catlin, pastor at Alden United Methodist Church, gave a verbal pledge for her church. Their tithe goal was $4,911, which they readily approved. But, in order to give every member in the church a chance to personally donate to the campaign, they also took a special offering. More than $700 was given through the offering, resulting in a check being written for $5,652.
Rev. Don Hasty, pastor at Ashland United Methodist Church, and Dodge City District Superintendent Kendal Utt both are pleased that Ashland UMC members felt God was calling them to do more than their tithe goal of $17,047, which was quickly put aside when a church member suggested pledging $50,000. The motion carried.
At Kiowa United Methodist Church, members were working toward a tithe goal of $11,943. They turned in a church pledge for $16,000. The congregation added the $16,000 capital campaign pledge to their current advance giving, making sure nothing was cut from their budget in order to make this pledge. Pastor Wayne Stephens said he was happy the administrative council decided not to sacrifice any other ministry that they currently support.
Fortunately for �Bridges to the Future,� Clay Center United Methodist Church members finished paying for their new Family Life Center this summer. They wanted to be able to help someone else now that they no longer have debt for their own building. So, they took their tithe goal of $28,983 and increased it to a pledge of $30,000.
Rock United Methodist Church was the first church to make a pledge in the Wichita West District and was able to exceed their tithe goal. Rock UMC, with an average attendance of 13, pledged $2,300, which is $177 per attendee�an amount that exceeds the average church pledge.
Rev. Delbert Stanton, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Hays, said the congregation wanted to be leaders in the campaign, not only in northwest Kansas but also in the whole conference. The members knew they needed to commit to more than their tithe goal of $36,640. They strongly believe the revitalization ministry is crucial to northwest Kansas and wanted specifically to support that ministry. In addition, they see their pledge as a commitment to evangelism, mission and stewardship in the greater conference. Their pledge of $50,000 reflects this commitment to leadership in the revitalization ministry.
There are dozens of stories about churches where the congregations have given sacrificially and have been led by God to give even more than their tithe goal would ask of them.
�I have been deeply pleased at the great interest and positive responses we are receiving as we talk with local churches and individuals across the conference,� said Bishop Scott Jones. �The hard work of conference leaders in crafting the plans and charting a course for the future are connecting with the hopes and dreams of United Methodist people. This is an exciting time.�
In addition to the support that has been shown by churches, we have also had tremendous support from clergy�both active and retired. Of the total pledges so far, $199,685 came from active or retired clergy. Currently, 54 percent of clergy are pledging, and we expect that percentage to get very close to 100 percent.
Jack Brier, the Kansas Area steering committee chairperson, expressed thanks to those pastors, churches and individuals who have pledged early to kick off our campaign with enthusiasm, vigor and the promise of success.
�To those of you who have not yet pledged, please do so,� said Brier. �Each contribution is important for its monetary value and for the statement it makes about our commitment to the campaign and the future of United Methodism in Kansas. This is your opportunity.�
A third source of joy and celebration in this campaign comes from individuals throughout the conference who have made their own pledge gifts. We have had 13 receptions across the Kansas West Conference over the last four months. The receptions provide opportunities to visit with individuals who might have the financial means to give a gift to the campaign that is over and above what they will give through their own church. Individual givers have pledged $577,526.
Dick and Joyce Brown, Kansas West Conference campaign chairpersons, have been present at a majority of the receptions. They enthusiastically visit with the attendees about the ministries we are planning to fund.
�We continue to be impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of the people who are attending the small group meetings at which Bridges to the Future is being explained,� Dick Brown said. �Our challenge is to encourage their financial participation at the level they can afford. The pledges received so far make us think that they are meeting the challenge.�
May 29 at Annual Conference, we will have a �Celebration of Success� for the Bridges campaign. We ask that all pledges be received by April 30 in anticipation of our successful campaign wrap-up and in preparation for the conference celebration. By July, decisions will be made about the initial disbursement of funds that have been received or that we anticipate over the next five years.
Please join us with a pledge by April 30, if you have not done so. You can obtain a pledge card by e-mailing bridgestothefuture@kswestumc.org or by calling toll-free at 866-915-3290.