There is something about a glacier that strips away pretense. It does not care about your five year plan. It does not care about your fundraising goals. It simply is, ancient and patient and enormous, shaped slowly over time by forces far larger than any single decision. Standing there, cold air filling my lungs, I felt the kind of clarity that rarely comes in a conference room or during a strategy session. It came instead in stillness, in openness, in a posture of listening rather than planning.

A retreat experience is close to what I encourage some church leadership teams to consider before they launch a capital campaign.

A retreat, in this sense, is not a conference and it is not a business meeting moved to a nicer room. It is an intentional stretch of time, often just a day or an overnight, spent somewhere unfamiliar enough to loosen the grip of routine. Leadership teams that take this step are not running from the work ahead. They are preparing for it.

The newest Giving USA report landed with a sobering data point for church leaders: religious giving was the only philanthropic sector to decline in 2024 once you adjust for inflation. If you're a pastor or board member weighing a capital campaign, that headline alone could make you want to shelve the idea.

But numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every "decline" is a congregation full of people who still believe in something bigger than themselves — and that belief, properly invited, still moves mountains. Here are three signs of hope worth holding onto.

This story of the fig tree in the Gospel of Luke, resonates deeply with the process of preparing for a capital campaign in ministry. Just like the fig tree, a campaign requires the right conditions, careful nurturing, and time to bear fruit. Some organizations may be ready to launch a campaign in just a few months. Their "soil" is fertile—strong leadership, clear vision, and a united congregation or team. For them, the conditions are perfect, and the campaign can move forward quickly.

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

The recent ice storm brought unexpected challenges to many Midwest churches. Damaged roofs, broken windows, and compromised structures have disrupted worship services and raised concerns about long-term building maintenance. While the immediate focus is on repairs and ensuring the safety of congregants, this unfortunate event presents a unique opportunity for deeper reflection and discernment. Is there more work to be done on our worship and ministry spaces for the future?

Is your congregation called to a capital campaign for 2025? Is there a ministry that you need to expand or more space needed for ministry? Here are some tips and thoughts to help you get started on the path to a capital campaign.

Sunlight and seeds yield abundance in the months to come. In the world of church stewardship and capital campaigns, trust and transparency are the sunlight and seeds that yield generosity for disciples and donors in the congregation.

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

The Case for Support is a document that explains the funding priorities of a church capital campaign. It is a story and a vision for God’s call for a congregation in terms of ministry and stewardship.