7. What will be the approach in challenging the congregation regarding giving?

    As in the previous capital campaign, we are asking the congregation to make a three-year commitment to give towards the relocation effort. We are asking that the giving be over and above the normal support to the church, bearing in mind that the normal ministries of the church need to continue. However, a major difference from last time is that we will not ask people to start giving until we know we have raised enough funds to actually build. Once enough commitments have been made to build, we will ask people to start giving towards their three-year commitment.

    Another difference is that we will ask people to sign their commitment cards. That information will be kept private in the same way normal giving information is handled. We’re asking for signed commitments for several key reasons. One is to add authenticity to the commitments. A second reason is that we expect people may at some point wish to change their commitment, and we’ll need to know how to account for that change. A third reason is that some people told us from the last capital campaign that they didn’t remember how much they committed, and we couldn’t tell them! No one will be actively tracking any individual’s giving relative to commitments, and no one will receive any communication if giving is less than what was committed.

    We also want you to know that we are trusting the Lord to work in the heart of the congregation and will not be using pressure techniques, numerous phone calls or things like that. Additionally, people have asked if we will specifically and individually challenge those in our congregation who are able to give large amounts. We will not do that because we do not know who those individuals are and because we want to be careful not to give any impression that we are approaching them because of their wealth. We are praying, however, that those in the congregation who are wealthy will give in proportion to their wealth, just as we are challenging everyone to do.

    Lastly, we are not mentioning targeted or suggested amounts to give such as “the average amount of commitment per giving unit at RBC needs to be …” We encourage each person to give according to their own ability as determined through prayer (see 2 Corinthians 5, particularly verses 12 and 3-5).

1. Relocation has been “low key” for the past few years. Why the delay and why does the leadership think that now is the time to move ahead?

2. Other than increased size and fewer worship services, what significant changes will occur in the scope and kind of ministries our church will do in the new, relocated facility?

3. Why relocate and grow larger rather than multiply and plant other churches?

4. Doesn’t the move to Dulles go against God’s raising up of this church to be a witness and ministry to the Reston area?

5. What will become of the current church property? Will some element of ministry of Reston Bible Church remain on the property?

6. How will the next effort to raise awareness and funds be different from the last time? What lessons were learned and what mistakes will be avoided?

7. What will be the approach in challenging the congregation regarding giving?

8. What will be our posture towards debt and what about the position that debt is bad, unscriptural, or “just not for RBC”?

9. What about Mike retiring?

10. What will be the sequence of what the congregation will see and hear over the next few months?

11. How can I help?

12. How can I get more information and provide my input?