“I had experienced success with The James Company at one of my previous congregations so I already had confidence in the organization. Once we got started at LCR, this community developed a strong personal connection with our Program Director, John Clark, who is a former pastor, and his spiritual guidance created immediate credibility with the campaigns.”
– Dennis Johnson, Senior Pastor
“We learned that campaigns weren’t just about money, but more about the spiritual growth of our congregation. Money will follow spiritual growth. And it also wasn’t just about the fundraising process. It was about enhancing our faith. The James Company builds their campaigns on the ‘spiritual wellness’ of their clients. These campaigns changed the culture of our congregation and ultimately created a more generous and giving community.”
– Larry Edward, Campaign Chair
Pastor Johnson and Mr. Edwards both emphasized that The James Company’s proven process, impressive list of references, and team approach were also keys to their decision. The James Company dedicates a Program Administrator to each congregation to minimize the campaign’s burden on church staff. Appeals are also structured to invite and engage as many congregation members as possible. This broad engagement creates a strong sense of investment and community.
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection – Marion, IA
Project Details
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (LCR) embarked on a strategic plan in 2000 for the purpose of relocating and building a new church campus. LCR leaders met with the ELCA’s Mission Investment Fund (MIF) to determine the congregation’s realistic giving capacity based on giving history and other economic factors. Once this number was established, church leaders then interviewed four fundraising consultants and ultimately selected The James Company.
CAMPAIGNS
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection has conducted four 3-year campaigns with The James Company.
The first, in 2003-05, was themed “Building on Blessings, Forward in Faith” launched the congregation into a major building program. Three subsequent appeals followed, each with unique themes and with the goal of eliminating the mortgage so that the congregation’s giving could be shared in outreach and mission:
2006-08 Forward in Faith, Sharing our Blessings!
2009-11 Sharing our Blessings, Living our Faith!
(Coincided with congregation’s 50th anniversary)
2012-14 Rejoice! Envision! Celebrate!
RESULTS
Over an 11 year period, all of the appeals on which The James Company consulted with Lutheran Church of the Resurrection met their overall goals. More importantly, these appeals, when combined with the congregation’s annual stewardship drives, created a renewed culture of generosity within the congregation.
Another key benefit of the campaigns was church leaders’ decision to tithe mission funding from the capital appeals. These funds supported a sister congregation in San Lucas, TX, Habitat for Humanity, “Grow Possibilities”, and other outreach programs. Nearly $200,000 has been shared with mission opportunities due to the generosity of the congregation.
Mr. Edward summarized it this way: “The Lord blessed our giving. We gave more money away and still ended up with the same amount for us to do our work here in Marion.”
Praise God!
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection – Marion, IA
Project Details
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (LCR) embarked on a strategic plan in 2000 for the purpose of relocating and building a new church campus. LCR leaders met with the ELCA’s Mission Investment Fund (MIF) to determine the congregation’s realistic giving capacity based on giving history and other economic factors. Once this number was established, church leaders then interviewed four fundraising consultants and ultimately selected The James Company.
CAMPAIGNS
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection has conducted four 3-year campaigns with The James Company.
The first, in 2003-05, was themed “Building on Blessings, Forward in Faith” launched the congregation into a major building program. Three subsequent appeals followed, each with unique themes and with the goal of eliminating the mortgage so that the congregation’s giving could be shared in outreach and mission:
2006-08 Forward in Faith, Sharing our Blessings!
2009-11 Sharing our Blessings, Living our Faith!
(Coincided with congregation’s 50th anniversary)
2012-14 Rejoice! Envision! Celebrate!
RESULTS
Over an 11 year period, all of the appeals on which The James Company consulted with Lutheran Church of the Resurrection met their overall goals. More importantly, these appeals, when combined with the congregation’s annual stewardship drives, created a renewed culture of generosity within the congregation.
Another key benefit of the campaigns was church leaders’ decision to tithe mission funding from the capital appeals. These funds supported a sister congregation in San Lucas, TX, Habitat for Humanity, “Grow Possibilities”, and other outreach programs. Nearly $200,000 has been shared with mission opportunities due to the generosity of the congregation.
Mr. Edward summarized it this way: “The Lord blessed our giving. We gave more money away and still ended up with the same amount for us to do our work here in Marion.”
Praise God!
“I had experienced success with The James Company at one of my previous congregations so I already had confidence in the organization. Once we got started at LCR, this community developed a strong personal connection with our Program Director, John Clark, who is a former pastor, and his spiritual guidance created immediate credibility with the campaigns.”
– Dennis Johnson, Senior Pastor
“We learned that campaigns weren’t just about money, but more about the spiritual growth of our congregation. Money will follow spiritual growth. And it also wasn’t just about the fundraising process. It was about enhancing our faith. The James Company builds their campaigns on the ‘spiritual wellness’ of their clients. These campaigns changed the culture of our congregation and ultimately created a more generous and giving community.”
– Larry Edward, Campaign Chair
Pastor Johnson and Mr. Edwards both emphasized that The James Company’s proven process, impressive list of references, and team approach were also keys to their decision. The James Company dedicates a Program Administrator to each congregation to minimize the campaign’s burden on church staff. Appeals are also structured to invite and engage as many congregation members as possible. This broad engagement creates a strong sense of investment and community.