Paragraph 2543 in the 2008 Book of Discipline outlines the steps needed to purchase, construct, remodel or mortgage property. Please read this paragraph in your Book of Discipline! This is only a summary:
Capital Campaign
Trinity United Methodist Church
Madison, Wisconsin
- The Local Church establishes a Study Committee to:
- Analyze the needs of the church and community
- Project potential membership and attendance
- Write the church’s ministry plan
- Develop an accessibility plan
- The Church gets the written consent of their Pastor and District Superintendent
- The Church gets District Board of Church & Location approval of the building site
- The Church holds a Charge Conference to elect a Building Committee and to get approval to proceed (Charge conference consists of Church Council, District Superintendent & retired clergy)
- Building Committee tasks:
- Decide what facilities are needed
- Determine the cost of the property
- Develop preliminary architectural plans
- Determine cost estimate of plans
- Develop your financial plan (Call the Foundation for a Pre-Campaign Study, and information about Capital Campaigns and our Church Mortgage Loan Program!)
- Submit the above reports to the District Board of Church & Location, and your District Superintendent for preliminary approval
- Building Committee tasks:
- The Church & Building Committee holds a Church Conference (all members) for majority approval of the preliminary plans, costs, financing and building committee recommendations
- Building Committee then develops detailed plans & costs
- Conduct your Capital Campaign
- Submit detailed plans and costs to the District Board of Church & Location
- Hold a Charge (or) Church Conference for final OK of plans, costs and approval to begin your project
- Secure all financing BEFORE beginning your project (Call WUMF for details on loans...)
- Begin your project!