St. John’s Anglican Church

Church Profile

• Name: St. John’s Anglican Church

• Annual Budget: $600,000

• Average Sunday Attendance: 250

• Location: Suburban area experiencing growth and development

• Challenge: Running out of space to accommodate growing ministry needs

• Project Goal: Raise funds for a property purchase to expand facilities

Background

St. John’s Anglican Church is a thriving congregation with steady growth in attendance and ministry activities. However, their existing facilities have reached capacity, and further growth is constrained by space limitations. To address this challenge, the vestry approved a proposal to launch a capital campaign for the purchase of new property. The estimated cost of the project was $1,750,000, requiring a focused fundraising effort beyond the church’s annual budget.

Partnering with LeaderWorks Trust

The church partnered with The LeaderWorks Trust to support their capital campaign efforts. The LeaderWorks Trust drew money from the LeaderWorks Trust Revolving Fund. It provided a $15,000 grant to fund a feasibility study conducted by Horizons, a trusted consulting firm with expertise in church capital campaigns. This study would assess the congregation’s financial capacity and willingness to support the campaign, giving the vestry a clear picture of their potential for success.

Financial Partnership

• Feasibility Study Cost: $15,000 (funded by LeaderWorks Trust)

• Total Campaign Cost: $45,000 (paid by the church to Horizons)

Feasibility Study

The feasibility study, conducted over six weeks, included:

• Congregational Surveys and Interviews: Gathering feedback from key stakeholders and members to gauge their readiness and willingness to give.

• Financial Analysis: Evaluating the church’s giving history and financial trends to establish realistic goals.

• Leadership Engagement: Engaging the rector, vestry, and key donors to ensure alignment and enthusiasm for the campaign.

Key Findings:

• The congregation demonstrated strong support for the project, with several key donors expressing a willingness to contribute significantly•

• The study projected a realistic goal of $1,750,000, with confidence that the church could exceed this amount if key donors fulfilled their pledges.

The Campaign

Armed with the results of the feasibility study, St. John’s launched their capital campaign with the guidance of Horizons. The campaign included:

• A Vision for Growth: Communicating the need for new property and the potential impact on ministry.

• Engaging the Congregation: Hosting events, meetings, and sermons to share the vision and invite participation.

• Leadership Giving: Encouraging lead gifts from key members of the congregation.

• Community Involvement: Expanding the reach of the campaign to include former members and friends of the church.

The Results

The capital campaign was a resounding success. Over the course of the campaign, St. John’s raised $1,750,000 to fund the property purchase. This accomplishment not only met their financial goal but also inspired greater unity and generosity within the congregation.

Key Outcomes:

• Funds Raised: $1,750,000

• Grant Repayment: St. John’s repaid the $15,000 grant to the LeaderWorks Trust Revolving Fund within the first 12 months of the campaign.

• New Property Secured: The church successfully purchased the new property, ensuring room for future growth and expanded ministry opportunities.

St. John’s Anglican Church is a prime example of how the LeaderWorks Trust model can empower congregations to achieve ambitious goals. The revolving fund model ensures that each successful campaign pays it forward, enabling other churches to receive similar support. With the success of their campaign, St. John’s now has the facilities they need to continue their mission of making disciples and sharing the Gospel in their growing community.