10 Things Your Church Must Bring to a Capital Campaign

10 things your church must bring to a 10 things your church must bring to a capital campaign. Hey, over my years of capital campaign. Hey, over my years of capital campaign. Hey, over my years of being an XP, I had a number of being an XP, I had a number of being an XP, I had a number of experiences with various capital experiences with various capital experiences with various capital campaign firms. Two of them stand out to campaign firms. Two of them stand out to campaign firms. Two of them stand out to me early on. Uh we were doing a me early on. Uh we were doing a me early on. Uh we were doing a transformative campaign, big deal for transformative campaign, big deal for transformative campaign, big deal for us. And we were about halfway through us. And we were about halfway through us. And we were about halfway through this campaign. And frankly, I was this campaign. And frankly, I was this campaign. And frankly, I was frustrated. I was frustrated with what frustrated. I was frustrated with what frustrated. I was frustrated with what the campaign consultant brought to us. the campaign consultant brought to us. the campaign consultant brought to us. Every time we meet, they literally had a Every time we meet, they literally had a Every time we meet, they literally had a binder. This was back in the 1900s and binder. This was back in the 1900s and binder. This was back in the 1900s and we would turn pages to just what was we would turn pages to just what was we would turn pages to just what was next and it was like they were unloading next and it was like they were unloading next and it was like they were unloading their strategy. Didn't really care who their strategy. Didn't really care who their strategy. Didn't really care who we were and so we fired them halfway we were and so we fired them halfway we were and so we fired them halfway through the campaign. Cost our church a through the campaign. Cost our church a through the campaign. Cost our church a bunch of money. Zoom forward a little bunch of money. Zoom forward a little bunch of money. Zoom forward a little bit maybe 101 15 years later was doing bit maybe 101 15 years later was doing bit maybe 101 15 years later was doing another campaign and the experience was another campaign and the experience was another campaign and the experience was completely different. Totally completely different. Totally completely different. Totally transformative. In fact that person is a transformative. In fact that person is a transformative. In fact that person is a friend to this day. It was one of those friend to this day. It was one of those friend to this day. It was one of those people. We started as workmates, but people. We started as workmates, but people. We started as workmates, but because we drew swords together, we because we drew swords together, we because we drew swords together, we became friends. Now, reflecting back on became friends. Now, reflecting back on became friends. Now, reflecting back on that, what was the difference over the that, what was the difference over the that, what was the difference over the years as an XP in or XP adjacent in uh years as an XP in or XP adjacent in uh years as an XP in or XP adjacent in uh three fairly fast growing churches. Two three fairly fast growing churches. Two three fairly fast growing churches. Two of the three went from less than a of the three went from less than a of the three went from less than a thousand to multiple, four 5,000 people.

thousand to multiple, four 5,000 people. thousand to multiple, four 5,000 people. We did a multiple of these, multiple We did a multiple of these, multiple We did a multiple of these, multiple campaigns, some large, some small, but campaigns, some large, some small, but campaigns, some large, some small, but they were all transformative. Again, you they were all transformative. Again, you they were all transformative. Again, you could call them generosity initiatives could call them generosity initiatives could call them generosity initiatives or, you know, a spiritual growth season or, you know, a spiritual growth season or, you know, a spiritual growth season or a capital campaign. I really do or a capital campaign. I really do or a capital campaign. I really do believe that it's good for you to bring believe that it's good for you to bring believe that it's good for you to bring in help for these because they are so in help for these because they are so in help for these because they are so transformative. But what was the transformative. But what was the transformative. But what was the difference between these two? One fired, difference between these two? One fired, difference between these two? One fired, haven't talked to the guy, not sure it haven't talked to the guy, not sure it haven't talked to the guy, not sure it was great. The other was a friend. Well, was great. The other was a friend. Well, was great. The other was a friend. Well, can I have an honest moment here? But can I have an honest moment here? But can I have an honest moment here? But you and me bring to these experiences is you and me bring to these experiences is you and me bring to these experiences is lynchpin. It's not about outsourcing. I lynchpin. It's not about outsourcing. I lynchpin. It's not about outsourcing. I was frankly in that first one looking to was frankly in that first one looking to was frankly in that first one looking to our campaign consultant for too much. I our campaign consultant for too much. I our campaign consultant for too much. I didn't really reflect on what it is that didn't really reflect on what it is that didn't really reflect on what it is that we needed to bring to the table. They're we needed to bring to the table. They're we needed to bring to the table. They're coaches. And you know what? You and I coaches. And you know what? You and I coaches. And you know what? You and I have to bring our agame to make these have to bring our agame to make these have to bring our agame to make these things effective. And so, here are 10 things effective. And so, here are 10 things effective. And so, here are 10 things that I've learned that we've got things that I've learned that we've got things that I've learned that we've got to bring to the table the next time to bring to the table the next time to bring to the table the next time we're thinking about a capital campaign.

we're thinking about a capital campaign. we're thinking about a capital campaign. Number one, clarity of vision before you Number one, clarity of vision before you Number one, clarity of vision before you talk about money. Research consistently talk about money. Research consistently talk about money. Research consistently shows that donors give to impact, not to shows that donors give to impact, not to shows that donors give to impact, not to need. We want a new roof, frankly, need. We want a new roof, frankly, need. We want a new roof, frankly, raises less than we're building a home raises less than we're building a home raises less than we're building a home for the next generation of faith in our for the next generation of faith in our for the next generation of faith in our city. capital campaigns that are city. capital campaigns that are city. capital campaigns that are proceeded by a clear vision soaked proceeded by a clear vision soaked proceeded by a clear vision soaked season routinely outperform those that season routinely outperform those that season routinely outperform those that aren't you know by multiples that make a aren't you know by multiples that make a aren't you know by multiples that make a real difference to your outcome. So the real difference to your outcome. So the real difference to your outcome. So the question I have for you is can the question I have for you is can the question I have for you is can the average person at your church explain in average person at your church explain in average person at your church explain in one sentence what you your you and your one sentence what you your you and your one sentence what you your you and your church and them what you're asking church and them what you're asking church and them what you're asking people to be a part of. The vision is people to be a part of. The vision is people to be a part of. The vision is bigger than the campaign and you've got bigger than the campaign and you've got bigger than the campaign and you've got to bring an incredible vision to the to bring an incredible vision to the to bring an incredible vision to the table with your people. You've got to be table with your people. You've got to be table with your people. You've got to be crystal clear on that. And then the crystal clear on that. And then the crystal clear on that. And then the campaign is just the next step out of campaign is just the next step out of campaign is just the next step out of that. If your church is not clear on that. If your church is not clear on that. If your church is not clear on what the vision of the church is, your what the vision of the church is, your what the vision of the church is, your campaign is not going to work from the campaign is not going to work from the campaign is not going to work from the beginning. If you're if it if they're beginning. If you're if it if they're beginning. If you're if it if they're not crystal clear on what it is that God not crystal clear on what it is that God not crystal clear on what it is that God is uniquely calling your church to, then is uniquely calling your church to, then is uniquely calling your church to, then you're not ready for your campaign. All you're not ready for your campaign. All you're not ready for your campaign. All right. Number two, leadership alignment right. Number two, leadership alignment right. Number two, leadership alignment at the top. Campaigns like this at the top. Campaigns like this at the top. Campaigns like this underperform if they underperform. It underperform if they underperform. It underperform if they underperform. It isn't the economy. It's not even the isn't the economy. It's not even the isn't the economy. It's not even the giving culture of your church or the giving culture of your church or the giving culture of your church or the consultants. It's the misalignment at consultants. It's the misalignment at consultants. It's the misalignment at the leadership level. If it

the leadership level. If it the leadership level. If it underperforms, it is because of underperforms, it is because of underperforms, it is because of misalignment with particularly the misalignment with particularly the misalignment with particularly the senior leadership, staff members, senior leadership, staff members, senior leadership, staff members, elders, those people that are privately elders, those people that are privately elders, those people that are privately skeptical about the campaign before it skeptical about the campaign before it skeptical about the campaign before it goes public will erode trust. The goes public will erode trust. The goes public will erode trust. The pressure reveals when the when the pressure reveals when the when the pressure reveals when the when the pressure comes in, that really starts to pressure comes in, that really starts to pressure comes in, that really starts to reveal itself and will ultimately erode reveal itself and will ultimately erode reveal itself and will ultimately erode the trust of what's going on at the the trust of what's going on at the the trust of what's going on at the church. Listen, your campaign consultant church. Listen, your campaign consultant church. Listen, your campaign consultant can't facilitate you unity. That's can't facilitate you unity. That's can't facilitate you unity. That's really your job as a leader. You've got really your job as a leader. You've got really your job as a leader. You've got to understand, hey, are people allin? to understand, hey, are people allin? to understand, hey, are people allin? Are my people allin? And you've got to Are my people allin? And you've got to Are my people allin? And you've got to have real clear alignment with the have real clear alignment with the have real clear alignment with the entire team. All right, so that's number entire team. All right, so that's number entire team. All right, so that's number two. Number three, a willingness to do two. Number three, a willingness to do two. Number three, a willingness to do the work, the work, the work, not just follow the plan. Listen, can I not just follow the plan. Listen, can I not just follow the plan. Listen, can I have an honest moment here with you for have an honest moment here with you for have an honest moment here with you for a moment? Most campaign firms what they a moment? Most campaign firms what they a moment? Most campaign firms what they do is they follow an nearly identical do is they follow an nearly identical do is they follow an nearly identical strategy. In fact, this is a whole other strategy. In fact, this is a whole other strategy. In fact, this is a whole other conversation we could have. You know, conversation we could have. You know, conversation we could have. You know, they are they'll say they have a bespoke they are they'll say they have a bespoke they are they'll say they have a bespoke process, but really, you know, we could process, but really, you know, we could process, but really, you know, we could sit down for half an hour and I could sit down for half an hour and I could sit down for half an hour and I could talk you through what most will say.

talk you through what most will say. talk you through what most will say. There's a leadership phase, core donor There's a leadership phase, core donor There's a leadership phase, core donor phase, volunteer phase, public phase, phase, volunteer phase, public phase, phase, volunteer phase, public phase, pledge weekend, follow-up, that sort of pledge weekend, follow-up, that sort of pledge weekend, follow-up, that sort of thing. Strategy, listen, strategy is not thing. Strategy, listen, strategy is not thing. Strategy, listen, strategy is not the differentiator. Execution is. In the differentiator. Execution is. In the differentiator. Execution is. In fact, in a year of AI, in a time of AI, fact, in a year of AI, in a time of AI, fact, in a year of AI, in a time of AI, you could go in and ask AI, what does you could go in and ask AI, what does you could go in and ask AI, what does this firm, how will they recommend we this firm, how will they recommend we this firm, how will they recommend we structure it? How will this firm structure it? How will this firm structure it? How will this firm recommend we structure it? How will this recommend we structure it? How will this recommend we structure it? How will this firm? You can find those plans. That's firm? You can find those plans. That's firm? You can find those plans. That's not the that's not going to be the not the that's not going to be the not the that's not going to be the differentiator. It really is ultimately differentiator. It really is ultimately differentiator. It really is ultimately going to come down to the work. Are you going to come down to the work. Are you going to come down to the work. Are you willing to do the work? Churches that go willing to do the work? Churches that go willing to do the work? Churches that go in expecting that the consultant, the in expecting that the consultant, the in expecting that the consultant, the external company will carry the load, external company will carry the load, external company will carry the load, frankly, are going to be disappointed. frankly, are going to be disappointed. frankly, are going to be disappointed. Think of it like a personal trainer. I Think of it like a personal trainer. I Think of it like a personal trainer. I love my Pelaton, but the Pelaton cannot love my Pelaton, but the Pelaton cannot love my Pelaton, but the Pelaton cannot make me get on the bike and push hard. make me get on the bike and push hard. make me get on the bike and push hard. It can't. It can give me instructions. It can't. It can give me instructions. It can't. It can give me instructions. It can give me gauges. It can compare me It can give me gauges. It can compare me It can give me gauges. It can compare me against other people. It can give me a against other people. It can give me a against other people. It can give me a plan, but I've got to take the design plan, but I've got to take the design plan, but I've got to take the design that they've given and actually put it that they've given and actually put it that they've given and actually put it into place to do the reps that they're into place to do the reps that they're into place to do the reps that they're suggesting are we need to do. So, you suggesting are we need to do. So, you suggesting are we need to do. So, you know what you need to do? You and I need know what you need to do? You and I need know what you need to do? You and I need to budget our team's capacity. Honestly, to budget our team's capacity. Honestly, to budget our team's capacity. Honestly, a campaign running in parallel with the a campaign running in parallel with the a campaign running in parallel with the normal ministry operations is normal ministry operations is normal ministry operations is essentially asking your team to do two essentially asking your team to do two essentially asking your team to do two full-time jobs. You're going to have to full-time jobs. You're going to have to full-time jobs. You're going to have to make space for your team to actually make space for your team to actually make space for your team to actually execute on that. Does that make sense?

execute on that. Does that make sense? execute on that. Does that make sense? Okay. Number three, a culture of Okay. Number three, a culture of Okay. Number three, a culture of repetition. repetition. repetition. Studies on behavior change, you know, Studies on behavior change, you know, Studies on behavior change, you know, this suggest that people need to hear a this suggest that people need to hear a this suggest that people need to hear a message somewhere between 7 to 10 times message somewhere between 7 to 10 times message somewhere between 7 to 10 times before it they it moves them to action. before it they it moves them to action. before it they it moves them to action. We've got to repeat ourselves time and We've got to repeat ourselves time and We've got to repeat ourselves time and time again. In fact, this we're seeing time again. In fact, this we're seeing time again. In fact, this we're seeing this increase over time with the this increase over time with the this increase over time with the increasingly distracted culture we are increasingly distracted culture we are increasingly distracted culture we are in. In a campaign like this, that number in. In a campaign like this, that number in. In a campaign like this, that number is even higher. At a church I was a part is even higher. At a church I was a part is even higher. At a church I was a part of, I was counting them up that the of, I was counting them up that the of, I was counting them up that the teaching pastor, the lead pastor, teaching pastor, the lead pastor, teaching pastor, the lead pastor, repeated the core campaign message a repeated the core campaign message a repeated the core campaign message a whopping 23 times before the first whopping 23 times before the first whopping 23 times before the first public saying of it, before the p first public saying of it, before the p first public saying of it, before the p first public Sunday of the campaign. That's public Sunday of the campaign. That's public Sunday of the campaign. That's not overkill. That's just how not overkill. That's just how not overkill. That's just how transformation works, friends. You've transformation works, friends. You've transformation works, friends. You've got to get used to repeating yourself. got to get used to repeating yourself. got to get used to repeating yourself. This is going to be a season where This is going to be a season where This is going to be a season where you're going to lock in on some you're going to lock in on some you're going to lock in on some messaging and you're going to walk messaging and you're going to walk messaging and you're going to walk you're going to walk it out time and you're going to walk it out time and you're going to walk it out time and time again. You have got to get used to time again. You have got to get used to time again. You have got to get used to that as a culture. What is the messages that as a culture. What is the messages that as a culture. What is the messages that we need to keep in front of our that we need to keep in front of our that we need to keep in front of our people consistent? Leaders who get tired people consistent? Leaders who get tired people consistent? Leaders who get tired of the messages and want to move on, of the messages and want to move on, of the messages and want to move on, frankly, are not the ones who will frankly, are not the ones who will frankly, are not the ones who will succeed in this season. Your succeed in this season. Your succeed in this season. Your congregation is always further behind congregation is always further behind congregation is always further behind than you think. They're not where you than you think. They're not where you than you think. They're not where you think they are. You've got to keep think they are. You've got to keep think they are. You've got to keep communicating. All right, number five.

communicating. All right, number five. communicating. All right, number five. We're halfway there. Number five, strong We're halfway there. Number five, strong We're halfway there. Number five, strong engagement with key donors before the engagement with key donors before the engagement with key donors before the campaign. Strong engagement with key campaign. Strong engagement with key campaign. Strong engagement with key donors before the campaign. Listen, I donors before the campaign. Listen, I donors before the campaign. Listen, I don't know any I don't know who you are. don't know any I don't know who you are. don't know any I don't know who you are. I don't know, you know, what you're I don't know, you know, what you're I don't know, you know, what you're bringing to this, but I can predict that bringing to this, but I can predict that bringing to this, but I can predict that I know that close to 50% of the I know that close to 50% of the I know that close to 50% of the donations at your church come from just donations at your church come from just donations at your church come from just 10% of your people. This top tier of 10% of your people. This top tier of 10% of your people. This top tier of donors are going to make or break the donors are going to make or break the donors are going to make or break the campaign before the public even hears campaign before the public even hears campaign before the public even hears about about it. A single major donor can about about it. A single major donor can about about it. A single major donor can shift the outcome of your campaign. And shift the outcome of your campaign. And shift the outcome of your campaign. And listen, here's the thing, friends. listen, here's the thing, friends. listen, here's the thing, friends. Before you think about your campaign, if Before you think about your campaign, if Before you think about your campaign, if you have not done any engagement with you have not done any engagement with you have not done any engagement with this group, you're already behind on this group, you're already behind on this group, you're already behind on this process. You the biggest checks this process. You the biggest checks this process. You the biggest checks come from the smallest rooms. You've got come from the smallest rooms. You've got come from the smallest rooms. You've got to work now to get ahead and start to work now to get ahead and start to work now to get ahead and start building relationships with these people building relationships with these people building relationships with these people so that you're not just coming to them so that you're not just coming to them so that you're not just coming to them asking for money. Early donor asking for money. Early donor asking for money. Early donor conversations are not about pressure.

conversations are not about pressure. conversations are not about pressure. It's ultimately about invitation, but It's ultimately about invitation, but It's ultimately about invitation, but you've got to start today before we get you've got to start today before we get you've got to start today before we get there building relationship. You're there building relationship. You're there building relationship. You're giving your most generous people the giving your most generous people the giving your most generous people the privilege of a connection with them. privilege of a connection with them. privilege of a connection with them. That's critically important. I can't That's critically important. I can't That's critically important. I can't overstate that. We could have a whole overstate that. We could have a whole overstate that. We could have a whole other conversation about that. Number other conversation about that. Number other conversation about that. Number six, a real follow-up plan. So before six, a real follow-up plan. So before six, a real follow-up plan. So before the campaign even starts, this is where the campaign even starts, this is where the campaign even starts, this is where your campaign could fail. So like before your campaign could fail. So like before your campaign could fail. So like before we even get rolling, here's something we even get rolling, here's something we even get rolling, here's something that we could drop the ball on and not that we could drop the ball on and not that we could drop the ball on and not even know it. If your church makes even know it. If your church makes even know it. If your church makes building or staffing commitments based building or staffing commitments based building or staffing commitments based on 100% of the pledge fulfillment that on 100% of the pledge fulfillment that on 100% of the pledge fulfillment that comes in, you might be building on sand. comes in, you might be building on sand. comes in, you might be building on sand. Because if you don't have a strong Because if you don't have a strong Because if you don't have a strong follow-up process designed before you follow-up process designed before you follow-up process designed before you ask people to pledge before you even get ask people to pledge before you even get ask people to pledge before you even get out there and have the public out there and have the public out there and have the public conversation, you've got to make sure conversation, you've got to make sure conversation, you've got to make sure that you have that entire follow-up that you have that entire follow-up that you have that entire follow-up phase sorted out before you go public so phase sorted out before you go public so phase sorted out before you go public so that we can follow up strongly and that we can follow up strongly and that we can follow up strongly and follow up on those pledges. That's follow up on those pledges. That's follow up on those pledges. That's really what's needed most. Another tip, really what's needed most. Another tip, really what's needed most. Another tip, ensure that your campaign consultant is ensure that your campaign consultant is ensure that your campaign consultant is engaged with you through the follow-up engaged with you through the follow-up engaged with you through the follow-up phase. Don't let the contract structure phase. Don't let the contract structure phase. Don't let the contract structure in a way that they just are with you up in a way that they just are with you up in a way that they just are with you up until pledge Sunday. You really want to until pledge Sunday. You really want to until pledge Sunday. You really want to keep them engaged beyond. That'll help keep them engaged beyond. That'll help keep them engaged beyond. That'll help accelerate your results. All right.

accelerate your results. All right. accelerate your results. All right. Number seven, financial and operational Number seven, financial and operational Number seven, financial and operational readiness. So you need to plan for a readiness. So you need to plan for a readiness. So you need to plan for a percentage of the total campaign, maybe percentage of the total campaign, maybe percentage of the total campaign, maybe 3 to 5% of the total campaign to go 3 to 5% of the total campaign to go 3 to 5% of the total campaign to go towards expenses, communications, towards expenses, communications, towards expenses, communications, events, materials, video productions. events, materials, video productions. events, materials, video productions. Can I be honest? Too many of us under Can I be honest? Too many of us under Can I be honest? Too many of us under budget for this part. You know, I was budget for this part. You know, I was budget for this part. You know, I was talking to a church recently. They're talking to a church recently. They're talking to a church recently. They're engaging in a $4 million campaign. It's engaging in a $4 million campaign. It's engaging in a $4 million campaign. It's going to be transformative for their going to be transformative for their going to be transformative for their church. Uh but they're going to need to church. Uh but they're going to need to church. Uh but they're going to need to actually budget for these expenses. actually budget for these expenses. actually budget for these expenses. Also, you need to be thinking about the Also, you need to be thinking about the Also, you need to be thinking about the financial kind of infrastructure. Is it financial kind of infrastructure. Is it financial kind of infrastructure. Is it ready for a surge in giving? Let me tell ready for a surge in giving? Let me tell ready for a surge in giving? Let me tell you as from um one friend to another, we you as from um one friend to another, we you as from um one friend to another, we set out on a campaign and we talked set out on a campaign and we talked set out on a campaign and we talked about this a lot with the team ahead of about this a lot with the team ahead of about this a lot with the team ahead of time. Are we ready? Are we ready? Are we time. Are we ready? Are we ready? Are we time. Are we ready? Are we ready? Are we ready? On opening day, I talked with our ready? On opening day, I talked with our ready? On opening day, I talked with our finance people. Are we ready? We're finance people. Are we ready? We're finance people. Are we ready? We're expecting a lot of revenue to come in on expecting a lot of revenue to come in on expecting a lot of revenue to come in on this opening day. And in fact, we were this opening day. And in fact, we were this opening day. And in fact, we were hoping for a million dollars plus to hoping for a million dollars plus to hoping for a million dollars plus to come in on one day. And I said to our come in on one day. And I said to our come in on one day. And I said to our finance people, hey, are we ready? And finance people, hey, are we ready? And finance people, hey, are we ready? And yeah, yeah, yeah, we're ready. We're yeah, yeah, yeah, we're ready. We're yeah, yeah, yeah, we're ready. We're ready. I think partly they didn't think ready. I think partly they didn't think ready. I think partly they didn't think that was actually going to happen, but that was actually going to happen, but that was actually going to happen, but it did. There was a million dollar plus it did. There was a million dollar plus it did. There was a million dollar plus surge in a single day and then we got surge in a single day and then we got surge in a single day and then we got shut down by our processing people shut down by our processing people shut down by our processing people because we weren't ready. So, we need to because we weren't ready. So, we need to because we weren't ready. So, we need to work on this ahead of time. Think about work on this ahead of time. Think about work on this ahead of time. Think about what what we're doing to follow up. It's what what we're doing to follow up. It's what what we're doing to follow up. It's super important on this front. All super important on this front. All super important on this front. All right. Number eight, emotional and right. Number eight, emotional and right. Number eight, emotional and spiritual resilience. Church leaders spiritual resilience. Church leaders spiritual resilience. Church leaders who've led campaigns consistently who've led campaigns consistently who've led campaigns consistently surface the same surprise. I've heard surface the same surprise. I've heard surface the same surprise. I've heard this from too many church leaders. The

this from too many church leaders. The this from too many church leaders. The internal relational strain is harder internal relational strain is harder internal relational strain is harder than they expected. This pulls on our than they expected. This pulls on our than they expected. This pulls on our unity when we focus on resources for unity when we focus on resources for unity when we focus on resources for specific ministry areas. Some leaders specific ministry areas. Some leaders specific ministry areas. Some leaders can feel left out. Combine that with the can feel left out. Combine that with the can feel left out. Combine that with the extra workload, the high stakes, the extra workload, the high stakes, the extra workload, the high stakes, the spiritual opposition, it is a recipe for spiritual opposition, it is a recipe for spiritual opposition, it is a recipe for team fracture. Friends, take it from a team fracture. Friends, take it from a team fracture. Friends, take it from a friend. build in regular rhythms of friend. build in regular rhythms of friend. build in regular rhythms of prayer, of celebration and of rest prayer, of celebration and of rest prayer, of celebration and of rest throughout the entire campaign season, throughout the entire campaign season, throughout the entire campaign season, not just at the end. Talking to a friend not just at the end. Talking to a friend not just at the end. Talking to a friend recently who finished a campaign a year recently who finished a campaign a year recently who finished a campaign a year ago and you know at the end of one of ago and you know at the end of one of ago and you know at the end of one of the phases in the middle of it he went the phases in the middle of it he went the phases in the middle of it he went and went on vacation went to Mexico had and went on vacation went to Mexico had and went on vacation went to Mexico had a great time unplugged and he was said a great time unplugged and he was said a great time unplugged and he was said listen if I hadn't done that I'm not listen if I hadn't done that I'm not listen if I hadn't done that I'm not sure I would have been able to pivot to sure I would have been able to pivot to sure I would have been able to pivot to the public phase critically important. the public phase critically important. the public phase critically important. All right, number nine, a plan for the All right, number nine, a plan for the All right, number nine, a plan for the dip moments. A plan for the dip moments. dip moments. A plan for the dip moments. dip moments. A plan for the dip moments. Expect that weekend attendance is going Expect that weekend attendance is going Expect that weekend attendance is going to t is going to drop. We often see this to t is going to drop. We often see this to t is going to drop. We often see this in campaigns and your maybe your in campaigns and your maybe your in campaigns and your maybe your consultant won't tell you this and it consultant won't tell you this and it consultant won't tell you this and it can freak you out a little bit. Now, can freak you out a little bit. Now, can freak you out a little bit. Now, campaigns I've led, we've actually seen campaigns I've led, we've actually seen campaigns I've led, we've actually seen an increase in attendance. That's a an increase in attendance. That's a an increase in attendance. That's a whole other conversation, but oftent whole other conversation, but oftent whole other conversation, but oftent times lots of churches see a dip in times lots of churches see a dip in times lots of churches see a dip in attendance. It's not unique to you and attendance. It's not unique to you and attendance. It's not unique to you and please don't take it personal. does not please don't take it personal. does not please don't take it personal. does not mean that the thing is not right. It's mean that the thing is not right. It's mean that the thing is not right. It's normal. You're asking people to take a normal. You're asking people to take a normal. You're asking people to take a big step and it's understandable that big step and it's understandable that big step and it's understandable that some people take a step back at that some people take a step back at that some people take a step back at that moment. Simply put, some people just

moment. Simply put, some people just moment. Simply put, some people just feel like pushed by these kind of vision feel like pushed by these kind of vision feel like pushed by these kind of vision Sundays. They'll come back eventually. Sundays. They'll come back eventually. Sundays. They'll come back eventually. Lots of them will come back and some of Lots of them will come back and some of Lots of them will come back and some of them won't. But you do need a strong them won't. But you do need a strong them won't. But you do need a strong recall after that phase. So think about recall after that phase. So think about recall after that phase. So think about this like what we're doing after. What this like what we're doing after. What this like what we're doing after. What are we doing to call these people back? are we doing to call these people back? are we doing to call these people back? There's a whole bunch of dip moments as There's a whole bunch of dip moments as There's a whole bunch of dip moments as well. You need to think through, you well. You need to think through, you well. You need to think through, you know, will there be a transfer from the know, will there be a transfer from the know, will there be a transfer from the the campaign, the generosity initiative? the campaign, the generosity initiative? the campaign, the generosity initiative? Will there be a transfer to that out of Will there be a transfer to that out of Will there be a transfer to that out of operational giving? Even in a one fund, operational giving? Even in a one fund, operational giving? Even in a one fund, you might see the total giving, you you might see the total giving, you you might see the total giving, you know, dip a little bit. Don't be know, dip a little bit. Don't be know, dip a little bit. Don't be surprised by that. All I'm saying is be surprised by that. All I'm saying is be surprised by that. All I'm saying is be concerned, be prudent on your planning concerned, be prudent on your planning concerned, be prudent on your planning around the financial stuff to assume for around the financial stuff to assume for around the financial stuff to assume for a bit of a dip both in attendance and a bit of a dip both in attendance and a bit of a dip both in attendance and maybe even on the financial side on the maybe even on the financial side on the maybe even on the financial side on the front end. Again, that's like a whole front end. Again, that's like a whole front end. Again, that's like a whole other conversation. There's lots of ways other conversation. There's lots of ways other conversation. There's lots of ways to do that so you don't have that to do that so you don't have that to do that so you don't have that operational debt, but at least plan for operational debt, but at least plan for operational debt, but at least plan for it at this. And then number 10, this is it at this. And then number 10, this is it at this. And then number 10, this is the big one. Ownership of the outcome. the big one. Ownership of the outcome. the big one. Ownership of the outcome. This is a a hard truth that I don't This is a a hard truth that I don't This is a a hard truth that I don't think uh no consultant, no matter how think uh no consultant, no matter how think uh no consultant, no matter how good they are, no matter what firm good they are, no matter what firm good they are, no matter what firm they're with can, no matter how kind of they're with can, no matter how kind of they're with can, no matter how kind of much they want your campaign to work, it much they want your campaign to work, it much they want your campaign to work, it it really doesn't rest on them. It's it really doesn't rest on them. It's it really doesn't rest on them. It's ultimately up to the Lord and to your ultimately up to the Lord and to your ultimately up to the Lord and to your people and to you. The churches that win people and to you. The churches that win people and to you. The churches that win are the ones that work on us owning it.

are the ones that work on us owning it. are the ones that work on us owning it. We don't hire these people and think, We don't hire these people and think, We don't hire these people and think, "Okay, that's up to you now to own "Okay, that's up to you now to own "Okay, that's up to you now to own that." We've got to own it. We have to that." We've got to own it. We have to that." We've got to own it. We have to say, "This is up to us." These folks are say, "This is up to us." These folks are say, "This is up to us." These folks are coaches that come alongside us to help coaches that come alongside us to help coaches that come alongside us to help us, but it's not up to them. It's us, but it's not up to them. It's us, but it's not up to them. It's ultimately up to us and to the work we ultimately up to us and to the work we ultimately up to us and to the work we do. You're not hiring someone to run do. You're not hiring someone to run do. You're not hiring someone to run your campaign. you're hiring someone to your campaign. you're hiring someone to your campaign. you're hiring someone to coach you while you run it. That's a coach you while you run it. That's a coach you while you run it. That's a massive difference and you need to think massive difference and you need to think massive difference and you need to think that through clearly that this at the that through clearly that this at the that through clearly that this at the end of the day is up to you and I. All end of the day is up to you and I. All end of the day is up to you and I. All right, friends. So, there it is. 10 right, friends. So, there it is. 10 right, friends. So, there it is. 10 things your church must bring to your things your church must bring to your things your church must bring to your next capital campaign. Reach out if I next capital campaign. Reach out if I next capital campaign. Reach out if I can help in any way. Uh Rich Burch on can help in any way. Uh Rich Burch on can help in any way. Uh Rich Burch on Instagram. I run a thing called Instagram. I run a thing called Instagram. I run a thing called Unseminary Stuff You Wish They Taught in Unseminary Stuff You Wish They Taught in Unseminary Stuff You Wish They Taught in Seminary. It's a weekly podcast. We do Seminary. It's a weekly podcast. We do Seminary. It's a weekly podcast. We do blogging and all kinds of other fun blogging and all kinds of other fun blogging and all kinds of other fun stuff. I'd love for you to check that stuff. I'd love for you to check that stuff. I'd love for you to check that out as well. unseminary.com. Thanks, out as well. unseminary.com. Thanks, out as well. unseminary.com. Thanks, friends.