re new Table of Contents 3 Pastors Letter 5 One Fund Overview 6 Liberty s Budgeting Priorities 7 Special Projects 13 Questions You May Have 15 Why Practice Generosity? 17 Generous Giving 19 Gift Chart/Commitment Card 21 Thank You! Remember this a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. -2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8 1 re new
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It s the season to Renew at Liberty! At all times, we are called to renew our spiritual commitment to God as disciples of Jesus Christ. At all times, God s Spirit is renewing this church He loves so much. At all times, God calls us to renew our commitment to His mission in our church, in Delaware County and throughout the world. God has been so faithful to Liberty throughout our 207-year history. And God is very much at work at Liberty right now. He is calling us to follow Him into Liberty s exciting future: proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ near & far sharing Christ s love tangibly, in mission and service investing in the gift of our children and youth embracing the ever-growing population in southern Delaware County God is leading us to do all these things and more with the commitment, excellence and generosity that has always characterized Liberty Renew is an opportunity for you to renew your commitment to God s work in and through Liberty Church. Renew is a stewardship campaign. Unlike in the past, this November we will ask you to make a two-year pledge to support Liberty s operating fund for both 2018 and 2019 (see more on Liberty s Budgeting Priorities on p. 6). 3 re new
Renew is more than a stewardship campaign. In addition to supporting the 2018-2019 Operating Fund, your two-year pledge will include supporting the completion of $1.9 million in muchneeded capital improvements, including re-siding the Barn (see more on pp. 7-12). In addition to improving our campus, 10% of funds raised for capital projects will directly support two local missions, over and above our regular 10% commitment to missions. Renew is more than a stewardship campaign combined with a capital campaign. Renew is a spiritual campaign: More than raising fund levels, Renew aims to raise our faith levels More than asking us to stretch financially, Renew intends us to cultivate a generous lifestyle within us More than renovating our campus, Renew seeks to renew our commitment to God In the last book of the New Testament, God says, Look, I am making all things new! (Revelation 21:5). The pastors and the Session invite you to join this season of renewal at Liberty, committing yourself to Renew our faith Renew our church Renew our mission And to Renew ourselves in the joy of the Lord. Please join us on the Renew adventure! Serving Jesus with you, Pastors John & Becky 4 re new
LIBERTY OUR HERITAGE OUR YOUTH MINISTRY OUR DISCIPLESHIP OUR FELLOWSHIP OUR COMMITMENT OUR INVOLVEMENT OUR SERVICE TO OTHERS OUR CHILDREN IN WORSHIP OUR CHURCH OUR FAITH OURSELVES Renew One Fund You may have been part of church campaigns in the past during which you were invited to give a second gift over and above your usual gift to make special projects, such as new buildings, possible. There was an Operating Fund for the church s ongoing work, and a separate Capital Campaign Fund for capital projects. This approach required some people to choose which fund they would support. Renew provides a simpler way. For the next two years, everything we give at Liberty will be part of One Fund. The Renew campaign will last for two years (2018-2019) as we work together to fund Liberty s mission, ministries and special projects. Throughout 2018-2019, every gift that is given to Liberty Church will go into One Fund. 5 re new
Liberty s Budgeting Priorities Renew is designed to fund our entire ministry and mission, not just special projects. In 2018 and 2019, Liberty s operating budget will continue to prioritize the ministries, missions and programs that bring the Gospel to life in our lives, individually and corporately. 2018-2019 budget priorities include: Pastoral Staff Liberty is blessed with outstanding pastors preaching, leading worship, supplying pastoral care, providing leadership. Worship & Music We love Liberty s worship and music. Maintaining the excellence and inspiration of Liberty s music will always be a top priority. Missions For more than 15 years, Liberty has practiced the generous discipline of giving 10% off the top of all offerings received to support God s mission in our local area and around the world. Children s Ministry Liberty is blessed with young families. Enabling young people to hear and experience God s love is one of Liberty s top priorities. Youth Ministry Liberty s youth ministry is growing, and is known as one of the outstanding youth ministries in the area. Providing God s guidance, counsel and care to this key age group remains critical. Property and Office Operating and maintaining Liberty s beautiful properties and grounds is not cheap significant funding is needed each year for heating & electric, maintenance & repairs, service contracts, supplies, insurance, lawn care & snowplowing. And Liberty is a busy church, which requires office staff and funding for computers & internet, telephone service, the annual audit, printing, postage and supplies. re new 6
re new Liberty Re-siding the Barn and Carriage House Our beautiful Barn is badly in need of re-siding. After twenty-two years of being exposed to the elements on the outside and conditioning on the inside, our hemlock boards are twisting and separating from the exterior walls. Four key improvements will greatly extend the life of our new siding: 1) Using board & batten installation will give the wood room to expand/contract; 2) Installing an air space between the siding and interior walls will mitigate moisture issues; 3) Employing the Shou Sugi Ban process of heat-treated wood will extend the life-span of the new siding, as well as giving the siding the weathered look we cherish; 4) Sealing the siding at regular intervals will maintain its integrity. *The image shown is a concept rendering 7 re new
*The image shown is a concept rendering Remodeling and Refreshing Fearing Hall The Old Hall has gotten old! Since 2009, the Carriage House has provided room for Liberty s expanding ministries, but as Liberty has grown space has become tight again. A complete renovation and redesign of the Old Hall new furniture and design, a much-needed face lift to the kitchen and bathrooms, a new welcoming entrance and break-out room will make this a useful and desired meeting space again. To be renamed Fearing Hall in memory of Doris Fearing, whose generous legacy has greatly blessed Liberty. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back - LUKE 6:38 *The image shown is a concept rendering re new 8
re new Liberty Remodeling and Refreshing Youth Room Liberty s youth ministry continues to grow! The current youth room is old, dingy, and poorly lit but we want to send a Welcome! message to area youth. The redesign will include furniture & design renovation as well as the addition of a gathering café area and a new Youth Minister s office. *The image shown is a concept rendering 9 re new
The image shown is a concept rendering. Barn color is yet to be determined. Building a Storage Barn Liberty is a busy church with lots of activity! Our programs have grown such that we have run out of storage space (we currently rent two offsite storage units to accommodate our stuff). A new storage barn, located in the northeast area of our parking lot, will provide ample and easily accessed storage as Liberty continues to grow. re new 10
re new Liberty Other Renew projects: Adding energy-efficient lighting to the parking lots for safety Installing energy-saving heating/cooling controls in Barn Purchasing new bench cushions Repairing damaged pavers in front of the Barn main entrance Improving Barn interior lighting using LED bulbs while reducing energy costs Installing central heating/ cooling to Administration building Connecting to natural gas (when possible) Redesigning driving lanes for new Home Road Starting in the spring of 2018, Delaware County will be expanding Home Road to four lanes in front of the church. Liberty needs to reconfigure how we access Home Road as well as re-design our interior drives to maximize traffic and parking efficiency. A Mission Tithe Being faithful to Liberty s mission focus, ten percent of the money we raise for the Renew campaign will go to support local missions. Half of this mission tithe will fund a complete renovation of the kitchen and dining areas of His Place, the food ministry of our mission partner St. John s Episcopal Church in Franklinton. The other half will help build the new Turning Point domestic violence shelter in Delaware County. Investing seed money in our Capital Improvement Fund 11 re new
Since you excel in so many ways in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. -2 CORINTHIANS 8.7 (NLT) re new 12
Questions You May Have How is the Renew One Fund different from previous stewardship campaigns or capital campaigns? When we have needed to fund major capital projects in the past, we held a second, separate campaign to gain support for a multi-year Capital Campaign ( Forward in Faith, in 2008-2011, for example) in addition to the regular fall stewardship drive for the annual Operating Fund. While this approach has its strengths, it also posed a dilemma: Which fund should I support? Renew offers a simpler way. For the next two years, everything we give at Liberty will be part of One Fund. We are asking you to pledge your financial support over a two-year period (2018-2019) to fund: The 2018 Operating Fund The 2019 Operating Fund Much needed capital projects Throughout 2018-2019, every gift that is given to Liberty Church will go into One Fund. This will not only simplify Liberty s stewardship, it will allow for better financial planning by the Session. How long is my Renew commitment? We ask that everyone make a two-year giving commitment from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019. What specifically are you asking me to do? We are asking you to make a faith-filled commitment to generosity whatever it is that God leads you to do. If you follow God s leading, we ll trust God for the results. First and foremost, pray and seek God s leading on what He is asking of you. Engage in personal reflection with God through the Renew devotional guide you will find in this booklet and on our web site. Talk with your family about what this commitment will mean for this next exciting season of your lives. Mark your calendar for Commitment Sunday, November 19. Do not be anxious about anything, but in with thanksgiving, present your requests to 13 re new
What happens if we don t reach our goal? We expect to reach our goal, despite the challenge it represents. If necessary, however, we can adjust expenditures based on priorities determined by your Session. Unless we fall well short of the goal, every ministry, program and project will be funded. Are there additional ways besides cash that I can give more to the Renew campaign? Be creative as you explore ways you can give toward Renew. You might have stocks, property or other items of that nature. Or God might be calling you to give out of stored resources he has blessed you with in the past. If you d like to make a stored asset gift, contact our Financial Administrator, Dana Meeker (dana@libertybarnchurch.com). However you decide to participate, THANK YOU for being part of the work God is doing at Liberty! every situation, by prayer and petition, God. -PHILIPPIANS 4:6 re new 14
Why Practice Generosity? 1. God has been generous to us. Moses told the people of Israel a truth that continues to this very day: He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land-your grain, new wine and oil-the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you. You will be blessed more than any other people... Deuteronomy 7:13-14a We practice generosity because God has generously blessed us in every way. Our generous giving is a response to God s outrageous goodness. 2. We give generously to be a blessing to others. The Apostle Paul reminded us of this certain truth: In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35 15 re new We practice generosity in order to share the blessings of God with those who are in need of every kind. Our generous giving provides a place for worship, food, shelter, medicine, clothing, comfort, and hope.
3. We practice generosity to expand God s kingdom of love. Jesus himself told us: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life...but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well Matthew 6:25a, 33 Our generous gifts empower our ministry of sharing the good news of God s love for all people as we work for justice, righteousness, and peace. 4. We give generously to discover true and lasting joy. The Apostle Paul shares this life-changing insight: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians. 9:6-7 When we learn the lessons of generosity and practice them in our lives, we discover new joy and cheerfulness. Generosity brings joy! re new 16
Generous Giving The decision of How much should I commit to Renew is a personal one. No one can make that decision for you. As you approach the decision, we encourage you to: Listen To God Prayerfully seek God s guidance as you make your commitment decision. Evaluate Your Resources Truly consider everything God has put under your stewardship. Nail Down the Specifics Determine specifically how your resources can become a generous gift. Educate Yourself Consider out-of-the-box ways that you can increase your gift. Walk By Faith Determine your best commitment and trust God to help you successfully fulfill it. FIRST TIME I have not yet given to God through Liberty, but I want to take the NEXT STEP. INTENTIONAL I consistently give to God through Liberty, but I want to accept the challenge to become a tither. OCCASIONAL I give to God through Liberty, but I could be more consistent. EXTRAVAGANT I give beyond my tithe to God through Liberty and continue to look for more opportunities to Renew. TITHING I faithfully give 10% of my income to God through Liberty, but I sense God calling me to do more. re new 18 17 re new
Practical Strategies to Follow Practice Priority Budgeting Many families may choose to rearrange their financial priorities. By identifying unnecessary or less important expenses that are currently in the budget, the family may free-up funds that can become part of their Renew commitment. Redirect Present Expenditures Some families may have short-term expenditures or loans that will soon be settled. Once these expenses are paid off, the funds, which are already a part of the budget, can be redirected to the Renew commitment. Increase Giving with Increased Income Sometimes a family may be aware of an expected bonus or an upcoming increase in income. These families can choose to plan on including these increases in income in their total Renew commitment. Donate Assets Some families may have stocks, bonds, or other securities that have appreciated in value. These assets can be included in their Renew commitment. There are potential tax advantages to this type of transaction, but there are also potential penalties. Therefore, before making a contribution of this type, we encourage you to consult your CPA, tax attorney, or financial advisor. Get Creative! Some families may seek more creative ways of securing funds to include in their Renew commitment. For instance: Sell some collectibles that you ve had for a while and donate what you receive for the items. Postpone a large family vacation or a remodeling project and contribute what you would have spent. Get a part time job and contribute your income from that position. Turn a hobby into a sales venue and contribute the profits. Give up certain indulgences like designer coffee or sweets and contribute the savings. Look for opportunities to earn extra money that can be included in your donation to Renew. re new 18
Gift Chart and Sample Commitment Card Remember, your Renew One Fund giving includes what you regularly give over two years (2018-2019), plus funding for the special projects. TWO YEAR GIFT CHART Gifts Needed Renew Gift Annual Gift Monthly Gift Gift Level Total 1 $250,000 $125,000 $5,208 $250,000 3 $100,000 $50,000 $2,083 $300,000 6 $75,000 $37,500 $1,563 $450,000 9 $65,000 $32,500 $1,354 $585,000 SAMPLE COMMITMENT CARD $4.49 million over 2 years $1.95 MIL $1.25 MIL RENEW OUR CHURCH Accomplishing needed repairs & renovations so our buildings keep pace with Liberty s growth. RENEW OUR FAITH Funding our 2018 operating budget to support Liberty s faithrenewing missions and ministries. 15 $50,000 $25,000 $1,042 $750,000 16 $35,000 $17,500 $729 $560,000 25 $25,000 $12,500 $521 $625,000 30 $10,000 $5,000 $208 $300,000 $1.29 MIL RENEW OURSELVES Funding the 2019 operating budget to enable God s ongoing work of changing lives at Liberty. 35 $7,500 $3,750 $156 $262,500 50 $5,000 $2,500 $104 $250,000 MANY $2,500 $1,250 $52 $159,500 $4,492,000 Since you excel in so many ways in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love I want you to excel also in the gracious act of giving. -2 CORINTHIANS 8:7 CALCULATE HERE $ + $ = $ Gift from my stored resources What I currently give in a year My increased annual generosity for RENEW X 2 Years $ + $ $ MY TWO-YEAR RENEW COMMITMENT Name Address City State Zip Phone Email Comments 19 re new
The church is a place that, for me, is safe. Walking into church Sunday mornings brings me peace, happiness, and love. -HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT After living without faith for many years, I reconnected with God through my involvement at Liberty. -CHURCH OFFICER What a vibrant and welcoming church community! Sunday is the highlight of our week. -VISITOR This is the first church where I feel welcome for who I am. -VISITOR I consistently find that attending worship at Liberty sets my compass for the upcoming week. -CHURCH OFFICER I have always gone to church, but my faith has come alive at Liberty. -NEW MEMBER Church was awesome last Sunday. Liberty is doing an amazing job in helping me grow spiritually. I can t wait until next Sunday! -MEMBER re new 20
Thank You! Renew Team Director Kevin Futryk Spokesperson KC Baker Communications Marie Thornhill Event Coordinator Deborah McKain Spiritual Awareness Jill Wentz Children/Youth Team AJ Hensel & Chris Mealer It has truly been a blessing, for over 207 years, folks have gathered at our church campus along the Olentangy River to worship, learn more about God, provide Mission outreach, and fellowship with other believers. Today, folks from all walks in their Faith Journey come to Liberty to grow their Faith, hear our inspirational messages, serve our community through various Mission opportunities, listen to our beautiful music, and grow closer to God. Our church home is truly unique and our church family continues to grow. Like any home and any family, there is upkeep and improvements that need to be made to ensure we re protecting the investment in our home, and making sure it fits our family needs. This is what Renew is all about, preserving, protecting, improving, and expanding our church home. All of us love coming to Liberty and are proud to call this our church home, and our fellow believers our church family. We hope you will join us in our belief that we need to ensure that our church home will continue to stand and be a place of Worship, Praise, Outreach, & Missions for generations to come. We thank you for taking the time to hear and learn more about our Renew campaign and the One Fund, and ask that you prayerfully consider putting your Faith in God and being a generous supporter of our campaign. 21 re new In Faith, The Renew Team
Sunday, Oct 22 Renew Launch Sunday, Oct 29 Renew Week 2 Renew Q&A Informational Meeting 10:00 a.m. in Chapel Sunday, Nov 5 Renew Week 3 Thursday Nov 9 Advanced Commitment Gathering Sunday, Nov 12 Renew Week 4 Sunday, Nov 19 Renew Commitment Sunday Pancake Celebration Breakfast; 10:00 a.m. re new 22
7080 Olentangy River Rd, Delaware, OH 43015 (740) 548-6075 libertybarnchurch.com