Capital Stewardship

This exception is designed for churches entering a Capital Stewardship Campaign (CSC) that would otherwise impact a congregation’s ability to achieve their allocation goals for the Funding the Mission Giving Plan.

Applications for CSC exceptions are reviewed by the Exceptions Committee, which is currently composed of eight members: three district superintendents, two pastors, and three laypeople. Stewardship Development facilitates the committee’s communication and administrative needs. The committee considers the merit of each situation, taking into account all factors in an attempt to render consistent and well-informed decisions.

The committee reviews certain criteria prior to making a decision on a CSC exception and reviews various benchmarks to ensure consistency. Knowing the criteria may help a church on your district decide whether or not a CSC request is the best resolution in their circumstance.

A CSC that qualifies for an exception generally has each of the following components:

• A local church financial fundraising campaign that is over and above the tithes and regular offerings of local church donors
• It lasts for a specific time (not to exceed 36 months)

It is to fund facilities to be used for worship or discipleship and is for at least one of the following:

• Purchase of real estate for the expressed intent of worship or discipleship.
• Construction of facilities for said purpose
• Acceleration of debt reduction (beyond scheduled loan amortization) on facilities previously constructed for said purposes, or
• To provide needed improvements to an aging facility.