Information Building Fund C3 Church Hobart 2012/2013
The journey continues This year we are stepping out once again with great faith for the future. We are partnering with God to build His house by sowing into a vision that stems far beyond the four walls of our church. In Isaiah 54 verse 2, God is calling us to enlarge and be strengthened. Then in verse 3, God speaks of expansion, inheritance, and revival. This is what we see for our church - a congregation who impacts their families, their friends, their communities, their city and their nation, by being an example of Christ. Just as Abraham increased in the arena of faith to see the promise of God activated in his life, we also need to continue increasing in faith to become bigger people for the vision he has put in our heart. We have been so thankful for what God has done in the past 12 months. It was just one year ago that we were putting the finishing touches on our new church building and planning for our move from the Odeon to our new church facility here at Anglesea Street. From the very first service we knew that God was doing something amazing within our midst. We have seen our church and our ministries rapidly grow and above all else we have seen people open their heart to Jesus for the very first time. You can be sure that when we give to the building fund, we are not just giving to the four walls of our church, but we are sowing into the vision, activity and lives that the building makes possible. We d love for everyone in the church to get involved in our building fund in whatever capacity they can. It is not about equal giving, but equal sacrifice. As a congregation your faithfulness, your enthusiasm, your giving of both your time and your finances is a daily inspiration to us, we are looking forward to achieving greater things this year as we partner together to see more of our city come to faith in Christ. Lucas and Annie Jacometti Senior Ministers 1
Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited. Isaiah 54 2-4
Updates from around C3 The vision of our church is to be a relevant and inspiring church that generates purposeful change. Our prayer is that as we reach the lost and help those that are broken and hurt, they will experience the love of Christ first hand and experience salvation. Since moving into our new Church building mid 2011, we have seen amazing growth, exciting new ministries begin, renewed missions projects, and significant additions to our pastoral teams. Here are just a few of those areas: Rivulet Cafe & C3 Convention Centre Mark & Wendy Blake, Managers In 2011 we launched the C3 Convention Centre and Rivulet Cafe as our facilities were too good to just use on a Sunday! The Convention Centre is there to handle external hires and has attracted a variety of different groups to use our building (around 6-10 enquiries a week). The Cafe has also continued to grow week by week, with local members of the community being our main customer base! Both these exciting new ministries exist to welcome people into our church building and then hopefully on a Sunday, and to also assist with the building expenses. New Family Members! Elisa Severini, Living Connections In the last 12 months or so we have seen over 25% growth in our Church family. Many of these have been people who have made a connection with Jesus for the first time. We are now a church of around 500 gorgeous people (as at May 2012) and we are looking forward to welcoming many more into the family this year also! While people technically don t come to church because of a building, we have seen that our new building has certainly played a huge role in new people coming to check out the place, and therefore meet Jesus. C3 Kids Amy Richardson, Kids Pastor New Connect Pastors Chris Richardson, Director of Pastoring Over the last 12 months we have placed a large focus on appointing, training and releasing new Connect Pastors. These Pastors oversee a certain life stage of people helping them to connect within the life of the church. There are 12 life stages with male and female Connect Pastors for each. These Pastors are now in position, not only for the growth that we have experienced already, but also for the growth to come. C3 Kids is going off! Our kids finally have a wonderful place to call their own! The new Kids area is a testament to parents that we love and value kids. Every Sunday morning we are seeing over 100 kids in our program, which is more than double that of the Odeon. Our C3 Kids team is passionate about partnering with parents in helping little ones learn how to connect with Jesus, and we are also excited about reaching those who don t know Jesus yet. Stay tuned for the wonderful things to come this year! 3
Missions Projects - Di Reynoldson, Missions Coordinator In 2011, with the building project completed, we formed a new Missions Team. This team was given the task to come up with a long term plan for our church s missions focus. From this, we are now further impacting our local and worldwide community through supporting, developing and maintaining a variety of initiatives, relationships and programs. We have been called to be salt and light to this world, and we see our church stemming out, into our city and across the globe, impacting peoples lives for Christ. The areas we are now supporting are: War Brides in Northern Uganda We are also partnering with Alice Achan, in Pader in Northern Uganda to support and provide a future for the girls who were used as sex slaves by the LRA. Many of these girls have had children to the LRA soldiers due to sexual abuse and because of shame and desperation they have not been able to return to their village. Alice has provided a safe haven, counselling, a school, a nursery school and a guest house for the girls to work in and learn skills in hospitality. We will be providing educational scholarships and looking into funding a maternity clinic in Pader. C3 Playgroup (Alice Achan) We run a C3 Playgroup at the church every Wednesday at 10.30am. This is a wonderful networking opportunity for parents and carers of very young children. The playgroup offers some structured activities singing, play sessions and arts and crafts. Angels of East Africa in Southern Sudan (Sam Childers) We have funded the building of a school just outside Nimule for children who have been rescued from the grip of the LRA (Joseph Kony) an army of war lords who take children and use them as sex slaves or child soldiers. This work was done in partnership with Sam Childers an American who has been fighting to rescue these children and rebuild their lives for many years. He is known as the Machine Gun Preacher and has recently had a Hollywood produced movie about his life released. Our next step is to provide vocational and trades education for the children of Sam s orphanage the next step in their rehabilitation this will set up the children with a trade and a means of gaining an income for themselves. Launch Youth (Boys Home) Launch Youth is an organisation that supports boys who have nowhere else to live. C3 Hobart has recently connected with Launch and we are working to provide mentors for the boys. We are making links with Launch so that they can join in with the high energy youth activities that C3 runs. Annie Kenny (Girls Emergency Accommodation) This is a refuge for girls who are aged between 13 and 20 years who are homeless. We support the girls by providing each one with an entry pack when they arrive. This supplies them with PJs and toiletries and basic underwear, a journal and pen. Many of the girls arrive sick, with nothing but what they are wearing and very traumatised. As well as this we regularly visit the Annie Kenny house providing inspiration and encouragement for the girls. 4
Tony and Megan Sayer Giving for us is about growing in God and growing in faith. We have learned that to give is to grow. God is our provider. Each year we ask Him what to give and we trust what we feel He tells us. Sometimes it s been bigger than we were thinking and sometimes it s below what we wanted to have faith for. But it s always stretching. For us it s not about budgeting and seeing what we can afford and it s not about being influenced by what people say. It s part of our walk with God, our growth in Him and our declaration that God is our provider, not man. As we build His house, He will build ours and He has a better plan than we could ever have. We encourage you to build God s house. Ask Him what to give, trust Him to provide and give cheerfully. You will grow, you will be blessed and you will see His kingdom and His works explode in this city and in your life. Caroline Betrand I moved to Hobart from Victoria in early 2011 and knew very quickly that I wanted to be a part of the incredible future at C3 Hobart. Contributing to the building fund enabled me to assist in providing a place for people to grow in their relationship with God and with each other, so they are empowered to step out and impact the lives of others. As a student, giving financially can be a huge stretch; but, God is faithful and the blessing has far outweighed the sacrifice. At C3 Hobart I have found a home that has a vision to see lives changed by God s love. My advice? Get involved! You will help make a positive difference in the lives of so many and be blessed beyond all measure in return. 5
Alex and Megan Cooper We have been coming to C3 Hobart for about 3 years. When we first came to Hobart this church was fantastic at helping us settle in. From day one we were made to feel very welcome and at home. We gave to the building fund as soon as we heard about it because we could see the impact that the church had on the local community. In the last 12 months, we as a church have built a building that has made Hobart sit up and take notice. For us, we feel so proud to have been a part of that, by putting aside part of our finances for the building fund, we made a difference. We have faithully given to the building fund for three years now and can see how God has blessed us. The building fund is now firmly set as part of our lives and our annual budget. Hank and Gail Petrusma We have been attending C3 Church for around 12 months. When we joined, we could see that this church had a future and we wanted nothing more than to be a part of this family. Our lives have been enriched by attending and meeting with like-minded, visionary and action people. Being a part of a church also means us being committing to bringing time, resources and strong financial support. For us, even prior to joining the church last year, we felt a desire to give to the building fund - so we did. From that point on we have not looked back. We both experience immense joy in giving, knowing that it makes a difference in people s lives. Our vision is for a caring, giving, growing, dynamic and real church. A church where people from all walks of life can connect in. It s for this reason that we give to our building fund. 6
20 Mile March The 20 mile march is a philosophy formed by the author Jim Collins and was adopted from Roald Amundsen, the first explorer to reach the South Pole. The late 1800s and the early 1900s was the age of the great explorers. Two of the great explorers of this time were Robert Falcon Scott of England, and Roald Amundsen of Norway. Scott and Amundsen both had aspirations of being the first explorer to hike the 1400 miles across the dangerous and desolate Antarctic to reach the South Pole. In 1910 their journeys began. Scott and Amundsen were equally matched in age, ambition, and experience, but not in strategy. Scott s strategy was to take advantage of the nice days and rest up on the nasty days. Amundsen on the other hand, had a strategy of consistency and discipline. Amundsen s goal was to hike 20 miles a day, and only 20 miles, no matter what. Scott would push the limits to sheer exhaustion on the nice days, hiking upwards of 60 miles, and spend the nasty days recovering from their mental and physical exertion in their makeshift tents and reindeer sleeping bags. Amundsen on the other hand would hit the 20 mile mark on the good days and on the bad days. Whether it was sunny and calm, or far below zero and windy, 20 miles and only 20 miles was their goal. In December, 1911 Roald Amundsen and his crew were the first explorers to reach the infamous South Pole. Amundsen s strategy of discipline and consistency to traverse the 1400 mile frozen wasteland ruled the day! What happened to Scott? He and his crew reached the South Pole 34 days later, tattered, exhausted and frostbitten. When making your commitment, why not take a leaf out of Amunden s book, and look at paying off your pledge in smaller, yet regular amounts. We have found that people who have a pay off plan fulfill their commitments with greater ease than those that hope to pay off their commitment in lump sums. Decide what you want to give over a 12 months period and then trace it back to see what that would make it weekly, fortnightly or monthly. You may want to consider setting up direct deposits through your internet banking as it s a great way to stay on track to fulfill your pledge. On the next page, you can see how consistent and disciplined giving adds up over time, don t underestimate the impact you can make! Remember its not about equal giving, but its about equal sacrifice. 7
Examples of planned giving 8
How to get Involved 1. Prayerfully Consider Prayerfully consider the level of giving that you feel is appropriate for you. Your decision should be based on both faith and wisdom. Remember, the philosophy of our building fund is equal sacrifice not equal giving. We encourage seeking independent financial advice and responsible giving. We also understand that circumstances can change, so you can discuss your commitment at any time with any of the Pastoral Staff. 2. Decide Make a formal commitment and fill in a building fund commitment card during the building fund focus month in May. You will have an opportunity to make your commitment on First Fruits Sunday on Sunday 27th May 2012 by completing a commitment card. Alternatively, you can obtain a commitment card at any time in the year from the Information Desk in the church foyer or from the church office. 3. Plan Your Giving You can fulfill your commitment through any of the following methods, or a combination thereof: Regular contributions towards your commitment by regular weekly or monthly giving (see the page on the 20 mile march) One off gift from money you currently have available Giving from the proceeds of a sale of goods, services or an asset Our experience shows a First Fruits commencing sum then regular giving is rewarding and quickly builds as illustrated on the previous page. 9
Payment Options Direct Transfer: Setting up a regular payment through your internet banking is one of the best ways to keep on top of your commitment (see bank account details below). If you do not have internet banking, your bank can arrange regular transfers to occur automatically. Or you can choose to make periodical payments from money currently available or when you receive a work bonus, tax refund or via an asset sale. Please make sure you write your full name in the description line when using internet banking. Salary Sacrifice: You can arrange with your employer to make a deduction from your salary each pay before tax. Please contact the church office to organise. Please make sure that your name is attached to the deposit, or let the office know to expect it. Cash, Credit Card or Cheque: Can be given during a Sunday Service via offering envelopes, or during the week at our church office. When using the envelopes on a Sunday, please make sure you put the cash or cheque inside the envelope, or fill in your credit card details, then tick the building fund box, and also write your full name down (so we can arrange for receipts). Account Information For direct deposits our account details are: Name of account: C3 Hobart Building Fund BSB: 067-000 Account Number: 1039 1321 Cheques should be made payable to C3 Building Fund Cash donations should be placed in our offering envelopes and the Building Fund box ticked. 10
Frequently Asked Questions Q. Are Building Fund contributions tax deductible? A. Due to imminent changes in legislation by the Australian Tax Office, churches all around Australia like ours, are changing the way their educational building funds and other giving programs operate. Unfortunately C3 Hobart will be unable to provide tax deductible receipts after 30 June 2012, due to these likely changes. Q. What do I do if I have an outstanding giving owing from last years Building Fund? A. If you have not yet fulfilled last year s pledge, the church assumes that you are still planning to do so, and so any pledge made this year should be considered over and above and separate to. People are encouraged however to fulfill their commitments within the time frame agreed to. Q. How can payments be made to the Building Fund program? A. There are a few different ways to make payments to the Building Fund: By cash, cheque or credit card using the giving envelopes Through your employer (salary sacrificing) Through your bank account by way of a direct debit via internet banking. Please make sure you use your name in the description sent to us so that we can keep track of your commitments. Q. How do I keep track of how much we have given throughout the year? A. It is advisable to keep your own records, but you will also receive quarterly statements showing your giving progress. Q. When are receipts for contributions issued? A. Receipts for contributions to the Building Fund are issued in the second half of July each year, for the recently completed financial year. Q. To whom should cheques be made payable? A. Cheques for the Building Fund should be made payable to C3 Church Hobart Building Fund Q. Can I Direct Debit my commitments? A. Yes, please see giving envelopes for bank account details. C3 Church Hobart 64 Angleseea St South Hobart, Tas 7004 buildingfund@c3hobart.org.au www.c3hobart.org.au