If there is no facility, what is being considered?
There are three options we are considering. The first option is to buy land to prepare for long-term growth. The second option is to buy a building. Lastly, we could enter into a medium-term lease (approximately 5-10 years), with plans to move into our own building afterward. Leasing a building will solve our near-term challenge of providing space for more people now. It will give us time to continue to build the financial base necessary to move into a more permanent building of our own following the lease period.

Is it really time to do this if there is not a specific facility?
We have been presented with several opportunities for facilities that would not only allow us to continue what we’re already doing but would also help us reach more people. However, being a young church without money in the bank for these projects, we have not been able to move forward with these opportunities. We want to get ready for the right opportunity.

Do we have a revenue target?
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV

Through The Bridge Initiative, we want to watch God do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. We know that having 1 to 2 million dollars in the bank will allow us to make a reasonable down payment for land in our community and to begin the building process when it is time.

Should my commitment to The Bridge Initiative affect my regular giving?
No, the objective of The Bridge Initiative is to give over and above your normal tithe. If you simply divide what you would already be giving, the campaign will not raise the needed additional capital.

When will we make a commitment? 
In January 2010, the church body will receive more information on The Bridge Initiative. February 28, 2010 will be ‘Commitment Sunday’, where we will each make an individual commitment to carry out God’s plan for us.

In my last post I said I would post some Frequently Asked Questions regarding The Bridge Initiative in the next couple of days. Here is part 1:

What is The Bridge Initiative?
The Bridge Initiative is a three-year project, to raise money for the specific purpose of leasing or buying a property for our future facility. The Bridge Initiative makes a way for the people of Southbridge Fellowship to take this next step of faith together.

Why are we doing this?
First and foremost, there are thousands of people in the Raleigh-Durham area that have yet to be connected to Jesus for life change. There are people in our community who we are currently not reaching, some of whom will die and go to a Christless eternity.

While we rejoice that our congregation has grown over the past couple of years, we have to face certain obstacles. One of those obstacles is that we have reached our capacity at our present facility. In order to continue to reach more people in our community, we need to have more space in a new facility. The Bridge Initiative opens doors for us to accomplish this goal and realize our vision of reaching people for Jesus.

What is the objective?
Presently, we do not have property for a building or a specific building to lease. We ask you to give toward the vision— connecting people to Jesus for life change—which has impacted your own life and the lives of your families and friends, so that we can impact even more people.