I have a lot of respect for the do-it-yourself instinct.

When I was first getting started in ministry, our church tackled everything in-house — painting fellowship halls, repairing roofs, wiring sound systems. There is something deeply right about a congregation rolling up its sleeves and doing the work themselves. It builds ownership. It saves money. It honors the tradition of lay ministry that runs through the heart of the church.

So when a church leadership team tells me they're considering running their capital campaign in-house, I don't dismiss that instinct. I take it seriously. Because it comes from the right place.

But then I have to be honest with them.

Getting the whole church to support a campaign is a lift and it is not impossible. Here are some steps to getting everyone on board for the ministry of a capital campaign.

Use the summer months to prepare for an impactful church capital campaign this fall. Brainstorm ideas to allocate funds for building needs, ministry growth, staff support, or an endowment. Gather feedback from leadership groups and the congregation to ensure the campaign aligns with your church’s mission and community needs. Build a diverse leadership team to champion the effort. Decide whether to run a stand-alone campaign or integrate it with your annual stewardship appeal for added synergy. By planning ahead, you can create a compelling vision, engage your congregation, and set the stage for a successful autumn kickoff. #ChurchCapitalCampaign #Stewardship #ChurchGrowth #MinistryPlanning

A needs assessment helps you map out the top priorities that could be funded by a capital campaign.

Is there a scriptural template for capital campaigns? It turns out a story from Exodus might be the inspiration for the process we use today!