We are excited to embark on this GRACE upon GRACE Capital Campaign! We know that you will have plenty of questions throughout the process. This document is meant to be a place where questions have been asked and answered. During the Inform Phase, the FAQ's was continuously updated with questions that were asked and answers from the Leadership Team. This document is now complete as the campaign has moved from the Inform Phase and into the Inspire Phase.
There will also be a set of questions that were not included in this document (if they were not frequently asked) that will be passed onto the Congregational Council and the future building team for consideration and future reference. This document was available for viewing through the Weekly Announcements sent via email during the Inform Phase. It can still be found on the Grace upon Grace tab of our church website.
There are 3 Question Sections to this document: - General Campaign - Financial - Facility/Construction
For questions regarding the different Campaign Phases, what to expect from each phase, and Key Dates in each phase, please see the Campaign Phase tab in the GRACE upon GRACE website.
This is a read-only document.
Section 1: GENERAL CAMPAIGN
1.1 What is the GRACE UPON GRACE Capital Campaign? A three-year journey to expand our ministries and facilities, allowing us to respond to all of God's riches blessing and provisions as we build GRACE upon GRACE as an Inviting Community in Christ. This capital campaign asks the members and stakeholders of Grace Lutheran Church to prayerfully consider increasing their gifts above and beyond their normal time, talents, and tithes as we aspire to meet the 2021-2022 Ministry Goals of serving all families in their faith and stewardship journeys in Mind, Strength, Soul, and Heart. "We give Thee but Thine own, what-e'er the gift may be; all that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee". Hymn; William Walsham How; 1861.
1.2 How long has this plan been in the works? How is it connected to the new expanded ministry plan? - 2016: During Pastor Eggold's call process, a congregational Profile and Ministry Description with expectations and goals was constructed. - 2017-2018: A focus team completed the LCEF Vision Path program resulting in vision, mission, and values statements. In November, 2018, Voters' Assembly approved a Council led governance and Ministry Team structure. - 2019: A Family Focused Ministry plan was drafted to explore possible ministry expansion. Research studies were completed and the Congregational Council explored various partnering opportunities. - 2020: Council chartered a Building Task Force Team to investigate facility changes/ improvements required to accommodate ministry expansion and they were presented during a September Voters' Assembly. (The Building Task Force Team had presented 3 possible options for facility renovation/expansion. The one presently presented as a possible concept in the fly-over video and building plans is the largest of the possible options). - 2021: Council contracted the services of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) to advise the GRACE upon GRACECapital Campaign. A LCEF "think tank" was attended by 75+ Grace members to help identify Family Focused Ministries for Grace and the community. In September-November, Council presented the Ministry Plan Proposal and feedback was gathered via surveys and two town halls. In November, Voters' Assembly approved the Ministry Plan. The Capital Campaign Leadership Team was commissioned to begin work on reaching the ministry goals in this GRACE upon GRACE Capital Campaign.
1.3 What is the GRACE UPON GRACE Capital Campaign Leadership Team, what do they do, and how were they assigned? The Capital Campaign Leadership Team was commissioned by Church Council. This Leadership team consists of Pastor Eggold and 14 separate Directors who are assigned specific responsibilities during various phases of this Capital Campaign. These individuals are listed in the GRACE upon GRACE booklet. The Leadership Team has the assistance of the LCEF Ministry Solutions Consultant and two St. Louis Ministry Solutions staff members throughout the campaign.
1.4 What is the"Lutheran Church Extension Fund" (LCEF)? What do they do? The Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) is a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. They specialize in assisting churches with projects such as ours. The combination of LCEF's expertise and trustworthiness make them the best partner for us in planning and conducting this capital campaign.
1.5 How will the final decision to move forward with the combined expansion of ministries and facilities be made? The 2021-2022 Ministry Plan and the GRACE upon GRACE Capital Campaign are closely linked. We will align our scope and final decision to move forward after our initial fundraising in the Inspire Phase of this campaign is complete. The facility design concept and possible ministry goals, along with any estimated costs, will be updated accordingly and will return to Voters' Assemblies many times over in the next months and years ahead.
1.6 How soon are the new ministry services going to start? Once the final decision is made on the ministries we can offer and the final facility design is determined, it would take approximately 18 months to finish the construction. Not all the ministries will be initiated at the same time. They will be organized/prioritized once the requirements of each specific ministry is understood. All members of the congregation will be informed regarding updates in the ministry work and construction.
1.7 Is there a ministry priority plan now that specifies the core ministries that will definitely be included in our ministry expansion goals and updated/expanded facility design? In September-November, Council presented the Ministry Plan Proposal and feedback was gathered via surveys and two town halls. The congregational survey results (with the percentage of positive feedback on each individual goal within each of the 4 Ministry expansion targets of Heart, Soul, Strength, Mind) were presented prior to the vote. (See Congregational Council notes/information for the specific percentage results of said survey). During the November 21, 2021 Voters' Assembly, the congregation was given the option of voting "yes" or "no" on the presented Ministry Plan as a whole. Based on the results of our present Capital Campaign, the ministries within that approved Ministry Plan will need to be determined/prioritized with further congregational input, review, discussion, and an eventual congregational vote on the "final" ministry plan and facility design.
1.8 In a plan previously developed with the Bauer group for childcare (which did not go forward), Grace was not required to be licensed by the state. If we go forward with the ministry plan for an Early Childhood Education here at Grace, will we need to be licensed? Will the state control any aspect of the program? Yes, we would need to be licensed. The state has regulations that we would need to follow and reach compliance with the aspect of the physical site, the number of children we could serve with any given space, security, and how/when different age groups of children or youth could interact. However, they would not have control over our program curriculum or content.
1.9 Would the church charge for the Full-time and Part-time childcare for children from 6 weeks through 5 years of age (as listed in the Mind section of the Grace upon Grace booklet)? How would the revenue be allocated to defray our costs? Yes, there would be a charge for the childcare. How much and how the revenue would be allocated to defray our costs will be determined after we know the results of our Grace uponGrace Capital Campaign, when we can confirm our budget, and whether or not the said childcare would be confirmed as a ministry in the final plan and building design.
1.10 Is it wise to launch the "Grace upon Grace" Capital Campaign right now in light of the COVID pandemic? Our expanded 2021-2022 Ministry Plan was approved by Voters' during this COVID pandemic; and in this challenging time we have observed the great need for loving, serving, caring, and ministering in many and various ways here at Grace as well as in the Lafayette community. Financials happen according to God's will, regardless of concerns in the world. As His called people, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we want to commit to moving forward with the promise of the Good News of Jesus Christ as we continue as an Inviting Community in Christ, especially in these trying times.
Section 2: FINANCIAL
2.1 Is my campaign commitment above and beyond my regular giving? Yes, your commitment over the three-year period will be in addition to your regular financial support of our congregation.
2.2 What if my income fluctuates? What if I need to cut back on my campaign commitment? If unforeseen circumstances impact the commitment that you make as part of this GRACE uponGRACE Capital Campaign, please let our campaign leaders know as soon as possible.
2.3 I have been trying to increase my giving annually, should I put that increase towards my commitment or continue to increase my annual giving? This is a deeply personal question that will vary for each household given particular circumstances. We will be planning the Grace Lutheran Church budgets annually with projected changes typical of our trends going on several years in congregational giving. A one on one conversation with Pastor or one of the members of the campaign leadership team can help you with any personal considerations.
2.4 How can we donate stocks we own to the church for the campaign? A packet that will assist households who have an interest in pursing this particular method of making a commitment to GRACE upon GRACE will be available in early March.
2.5 How much do we need to raise? How much do we anticipate receiving in the Grace upon Grace Capital Campaign commitments relative to building costs? The Project Goal (building cost) is $3.5 million. We have identified a Confident goal of $1.5 million based on current annual giving. We have identified a Courageous Goal of $2.5 million which would place us in a position to complete the building project with sacrificial campaign commitments ($1.5 million), other community/outside funding ($1 million), and a mortgage ($1 million). The Courageous Goal would require an average of 6 times our annual giving, to be given over 3 years. The Confident Goal would require an average of 4 times our annual giving, to be given over 3 years. Any mortgage discussion would be initiated and explored in Congregational Council and presented for approval during a Voters' Assembly.
2.6 What if we don't reach our Courageous Goal of $2.5 million? We are praying for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ at Grace to be moved by the Lord to accomplish great things for His Glory during this GRACE upon GRACE Capital Campaign. With sacrificial giving from our congregation and community/outside funding, we are aspiring to meet our Courageous Goal of $2.5 million. If we have not met this Courageous Goal after our initial fundraising is completed during the Inspire Phase, the scope of our extended ministries and facility design concept, along with costs, will be updated accordingly. Any alterations in the plans would be discussed by the Congregational Council and Leadership Team and will return to Voters' Assemblies many times over the next months and years.
2.7 How were the building costs calculated? The architect who developed our renderings and a construction firm worked together on facility cost estimates.
2.8 Are there other ways we can get the money other than donations from the congregation? Are there Community fundraising events planned? Are we pursuing any grants for funding? There are many non-members who can connect to the congregation through campaign activities and the ministry expansion. The Friends of the Congregation Director (a member of the Leadership Team) helps manage communication with community leaders, neighbors, community businesses, and former members. That Director and his team will create and execute a plan to inform, inspire, and update the identified non-members throughout the campaign with the hope that they will assist us in our goal of serving families in our community in Mind, Strength, Soul, and Heart. Presently a community fundraising event is not being planned. Grace will be pursuing grants to help with ministry costs and would look at available grants for funding the facilities.
2.9 Can we manage the debt of this new facility without interrupting our regular operations? In short, yes. If we can achieve our Courageous Goal of $2.5 million with our campaign commitments and some outside funding, we believe we can manage a $1 million mortgage to build a new facility with the approximate cost of $3.5 million. A mortgage of that amount would add approximately $6,000 - $7,000 per month to our budget.
Section 3: FACILITY/CONSTRUCTION
*REGARDING THE BUILDING PLAN SHOWN DURING THE INFORM SUNDAY presentation, in the campaign booklet, and on posters, please note the following: The current depiction of the building is a concept/idea of what we could build with a $3.5 million Project Goal. It represents what could be needed to meet the aspirational Ministry goals that received Voter approval in November, 2021. However, the final plan will be based on a number of factors including: building and construction limitations, our campaign commitments received during the Inspire Phase of GRACE upon GRACE, facility design decisions by our church and the architects, and construction material availability. Therefore, the present design is not the "final" design. Any design concept and possible ministry goals, along with the estimated costs, will be updated accordingly and will return to the congregational and Voters' Assemblies many times in the next few months and years ahead.
3.1Why do we need updated facilities to expand our ministries? Our facility expansion/modifications/upgrades are needed to align with and meet our Voters' Assembly approved, expanded, and aspirational ministry goals. By creating private rooms, Grace can partner with community organizations to provide mental health counseling, family and couple counseling, adoption and foster care counseling, educational spaces, and possible career and work counseling. The current Fellowship Hall would be transformed into an athletic space specially designed for Early Childhood/Preschool. Additionally, the renovated space will be available to accommodate community sports events. It would serve as an attractive gathering room for Bible classes, student tutoring, community events and education, and social gatherings. The renovated space could host various groups and meetings. Our current kitchen is strained beyond capacity. We would modernize the facilities and replace what's needed to effectively use the space for meal preparation. Our fellowship activities would be blessed with a new, clean, open, user-friendly space. New classrooms and amenities would be built to provide a safe and secure place where children can learn and play during Early Childhood Programs.
3.2 Why are we building for programs/ministries that aren't yet launched? A number of ministries were discontinued/suspended during COVID and as a result, much of the church stands unused for a large period of time. What can we do to use this space to "jump-start" some of our new ministries and rebuild a sense of excitement while we go through the capital project? It is important to have the space/facilities available as we develop these new avenues for mission and ministry. Our congregation spoke with one voice when voting for the aspirational 2021-2022Ministry Plan during the November 21, 2021, Voters' Assembly and the proposed facility expansion/update aligns with those goals. We are working with possible external stakeholders to explore programs and define their needs, but some stakeholders need to know that we will have the space in order to commit. We should be careful not to start or restart a larger, long-term ministry which is guaranteed to lose its physical space for the approximate 18 months of building renovation/expansion. We do, however, encourage members of Grace to follow their ministry passions and look for short-term or event-based ministries and current Grace ministries that are not heavily impacted by loss of space (providing needed fellowship snacks/food, Care Crew meals, Giving Garden weeding/harvesting, Michelle's Caring Cabinet) as well as volunteering in ministries with our current community partners (Lafayette Urban Ministry, Matrix LifeCare).
3.3 When would we start building? Our aspirational goal is to have the facility completed in 2025 prior to our 50th anniversary. However, this will be dependent on the commitments received during fundraising in the Inspire Phase. We will align our scope and final decision to move forward based on these commitments. The facility design concept and possible ministry goals, along with any estimated costs, will need to be updated and aligned with our commitments and therefore will return to Voters' Assemblies many times over in the next months and years ahead.
3.4 How long will it take to build out the new facility expansion/updates? After the final design is determined, it would take approximately 18 months.
3.5 Will we be tearing down existing space and would this demolition happen all at once? While demolition and construction is happening, where will we be having our normal fellowship and Sunday School? Yes, we would be tearing down existing spaces. It is likely that the demolition would happen all at once based on the contractor's Project Plan, coordination of construction schedule, and construction safety clearances, etc. Alternative plans for Sunday School and Fellowship times will be developed during the construction phase. Possibilities may include use of trailers to support critical congregational needs and leveraging space at community partner locations. However, based on the final design plan, these details will need to be discussed at a later date.
3.6 Based on the 3D digital rendering in the fly-over video, it appears that there would be steps into the new building. There has been discussion about the need to elevate the new construction. This would allow the congregation to travel inside the building without multiple changes in elevation. It would necessitate the need for stairs/ramps at some of the outdoor entrances into the building. However, the main entrances into the Narthex that presently exist would be free of stairs or ramps. 3.7 Based on the 3D digital rendering of the proposed facility upgrades, does the new facility adequately meet the ministry expansion goals for counseling and medical services? I saw a lot of room for educational needs, but not as much for counseling needs. If the idea is that the classrooms would serve a dual purpose for counseling, there would need to be adequate privacy measures. As noted above, the design plan that was seen during the Inform Sunday presentations (including the campaign booklet and the building posters) are only a concept/idea of the type of facilities we could have with a $3.5 million project. It is not the "final" design. If the final design concept includes the ministry expansion goals for counseling and medical services, adequate privacy measures would be part of the facility design. 3.8 Is there enough spaces for large group meetings, large Bible studies, or classrooms for people over 5 years of age? What if there are multiple meetings running concurrently? There are spaces in the preschool wing that are marked multipurpose, but if we want to use those rooms for Sunday School/Bible studies, the tables and chairs would not accommodate individuals above 5 years of age. As stated above, the design in the GRACE upon GRACE booklet and on the posters is not the "final" design, it is a concept/idea of the type of building possible with $3.5 million. Our church is founded on the Word of God and Bible Studies are an essential part of who we are at Grace. The final building design would include adequate classrooms and large group meeting rooms for the purpose of youth and adult Bible Study as well as congregational/ministry meetings. Furniture would be available to accommodate the group using the space(s).
3.9 Do we have enough land for these changes? Will we lose parking spaces? With a larger building and more activities, wouldn't we need more parking? Would parking issues impact the surrounding neighborhood? Yes, there is enough land for changes. Even if the final project goal is the larger facility design as shown during presentations, on the fly over, and on building posters, we would retain our present number of parking spaces. Therefore, the new building design would not impact our neighbors in Buckingham Estates.
3.10 Will the sanctuary be enlarged as a part of this plan and expansion? Or are we thinking of adding additional worship services as an alternative to sanctuary expansion? The GRACE upon GRACE Capital Campaign doesn't include plans to enlarge the sanctuary. If, with God's help, we continue to grow, minister, serve, and invite others in our congregation and community to share in God's life-giving Good News, at some point we would need to consider adding additional worship services. The Elders and the Council would determine the timing of added worship services.
3.11 Will the gym area also be a community/gathering/banquet area? Will the floor be a material that will accommodate moving of table and chairs? On the diagram and fly over, it showed a gym. If it's going to be used for other activities, how do you keep a wood floor in shape? What is the approximate cost of a wood floor in the building concept presented? If we are hosting basketball/volleyball leagues, will there be bleachers? Can there be some type of partition so that we could use the gym for simultaneous, smaller group activities? How can we save money on the costs of the large multipurpose community/gym space? As noted above, the design shown during Inform Sunday presentations, in the campaign booklet, and on posters is a concept/idea of the facility that we could have in order to meet our aspirational goals. However, it is not the "final" design plan or Blueprint. If, in the final design, a multi-purpose room is decided upon (gym, fellowship hall, banquet area), the flooring or floor covering will be chosen to withstand multi-purpose use. The approximate cost of wood flooring in the gym/multipurpose room (with square footage shown on the building concept design presented in the booklet and on the posters) would be $1/4 million. Ongoing costs to maintain the wood flooring would need to be considered. Polished concrete would be cheaper initially and the wood flooring could be added at a later time. With the present concept plan, we might be able to add some bleacher space at both ends of the room. A flat roof versus a vaulted ceiling would also save money on costs. Some type of functional room divider(s) could be considered based on which of the ministry goals can become reality.
3.12 How much larger is the new kitchen (as shown in the design concept) in square footage compared to our present kitchen? In the conceptual plan, the new kitchen is 532 square feet, slightly more than double the existing kitchen area. However, this aspirational new kitchen is subject to change based on the the results of the financial commitment received from the Grace upon Grace Capital Campaign, after the total budget is set, the specific ministry programs are confirmed, and the specific usage needs of the ministries are identified.
3.13 On the building design concept presented in the 3-D digital rendering and building plan posters, the space designated as storage seems extremely small for the number of current and proposed expanded ministries and a building of that square footage. As presented, do we believe there is realistic and adequate storage space? The building concept as presented is not the "final" design. The daycare staff space on this design was placed where some of the possible storage would have occurred. As presented, there is not adequate storage space and the final design concept will need to reflect enough storage space to be functional for congregational and ministry use.
3.14 On the present building design concept, is there a youth group room? Where would they be able to meet for various activities? On the present building concept, a separate youth group room is not specified. During the final decision that includes the expanded ministries and building design, a room will need to be designated for youth group use. The room may also be used for multiple ministries during different times, but we will have adequate space for the youth group program. The youth would also have use of the multipurpose room for various activities calling for larger space and/or recreational activities.
3.15 With the development of the new facility, could we consider a family bathroom? With the addition of many young families in the congregation, there is a need for a private space to change, feed, or otherwise care for babies and toddlers closer to the sanctuary. Can there be a functional speaker system installed in the nursery, family bathroom, and fellowship hall so that young mothers/families with small children can still hear the service and announcements? As stated above, the building design shown during Inform Sunday, in the booklet, and on the fly-over are not the "final" building design. We are thankful that we have more young families and children here Grace and when we know the amount of financial commitments received during the Inspire Phase, we will be in a better position to move toward a final design. At that time, we would like to have some input from various individuals/groups in the congregation that have knowledge/experience/professional expertise concerning the building needs for any new ministry as well as congregational use of the facility.
3.16 If we add substantial square footage and added ministries (as proposed in the Ministry Plan and as shown in the concept idea pictured in the booklet and posters), have we considered the added maintenance costs, cleaning costs, increase in utilities, program costs, and salaries needed for expanded ministries and a larger building? At present, our current Fellowship Hall/Kitchen and Educational wing are in need of upgrading, including new windows. Our current kitchen is not adequate for our current needs. The heating and cooling systems are older and a newer, commercial grade system may be more cost effective in the long run. With added square footage, there will be more area to clean and maintain. These costs will need to be considered when the final design is complete. There may be an increase in program costs and salaries. However, we cannot determine the ongoing operational expenses/yearly budget until we have confirmed the specific future ministries, the actual building size, and specific facilities that will be included. However, if we are planning and preparing for the next 50 years at Grace, we are looking forward to our future needs and preparing to expand our service to all families in the congregation and the greater Lafayette area for God's Glory.
3.17 Does the $3.5 million building plan cost include furnishings, furniture, added audio-visual equipment, any recreational equipment, etc.? Does it include the cost of demolition? Does this building plan cost include any new/replacement landscaping? The Grace upon Grace Capital Campaign Building cost (as presented in the booklet, on posters, and during Town Hall Forums) does not include the financing of new furnishings, furniture, recreational equipment, etc. However, we may be able to use some of our current tables, chairs, and some audio-visual equipment, etc. The $3.5 building plan costs would include demolition. The cost doesn't include any new/replacement landscaping.