Question 1

Capital campaigns have often been good. Why get rid of them?

Accepted Answer

Historically, our capital campaigns have been valuable and effective. We want to take the value of these proven campaigns and utilize their effectiveness in a consistent way, by asking the entire congregation to engage in a One Fund Initiative for all of our church projects. In a sense, rather than getting rid of capital campaigns, we will be doing one for everything we do as a church, every few years. That way, every member is an active participant in everything we do, and every dollar we give will also go to everything we do.

This will also enable us to be financially ready for where God leads us, rather than scrambling at the last minute when He reveals where He is moving us. Under the old system of separating the general fund from special projects, we would need a capital campaign for every campus launch, every new construction project, and every renovation. That is not sustainable in a large and growing multi-campus ministry.

Hoist The Sail allows us to bring in more capital than we are spending, demonstrating to financial institutions that our income exceeds our spending, enabling us to handle a mortgage, as well as having the cash on hand for an adequate down payment.

Question 2

All these things in the vision...what is the time frame for completion?

Accepted Answer

We don’t know what God is going to do or when He’s going to do it. That’s the point of Hoist The Sail: it’s a step of faith — getting ready ahead of time for what God will do, and putting ourselves in position to go when He opens the door.

We may not have all this done in two years, or even three years, but we'll be ready for the doors He opens up, when He opens them. It’s presenting ourselves fully to God to act when He wants to. It’ll be faith on our end to be ready to go!

Question 3

So we will no longer be asked to give over and above our regular giving?

Accepted Answer

Our commitments to Hoist The Sail will be our entire giving over these two years, whether we started at the beginning or are jumping in now at the Midpoint. We're excited to see all God does through this One Fund.

Question 4

Who came up with this vision? What was the process?

Accepted Answer

This was a team effort that involved prayer and conversation among our executive staff, some of our pastors, and our elders. It has been several months and even years in the making. There was a prayer stage, a brainstorming stage, more prayer, then final planning. The elders joined us in going through the vision and approving the final proposal.

The “One Fund” concept was born out of an internal struggle our executive team felt with playing from behind, motivating us to play from the front. We learned from a few other credible churches of similar size that this was an effective way to sustain the growth God brings our way.

Question 5

What if we don’t get the $22 million committed?

Accepted Answer

We’ve always been a church that lives within our means. We will only embark on those projects that have adequate funding. If we fall short of the $22 million goal, we will make determinations of priority based on what is necessary and then what will be most fruitful.

Question 6

What if more than $22 million is committed?

Accepted Answer

Any amount above $22 million will be designated to FUTURE, as this enables us to focus on Jesus’ Great Commission. Of course, with the growth of the church, some increase will also need to support the FAMILY portion, which funds the ministry of the church.

Question 7

What happens in year three?

Accepted Answer

In year three, we plan to set our budget based on the giving and needs of year two, using the same categories and percentages as presented in this initiative. We also plan to enter into a new One Fund Initiative that year to subsequently fund the following two years. We believe this is our new best way forward.

Question 8

Why the Camp Retreat Center?

Accepted Answer

We’ve been given a beautiful camp that has been a huge blessing to our kids and student ministries. But we believe God wants this facility to be available for spiritual growth and discipleship for the entire congregation. We don’t think camp is just for kids. We want camp for the whole church!

For most adults, comfortable housing is the issue. A retreat center will be a huge opportunity for our small groups (and groups of small groups) to schedule intense study times in God’s beautiful creation. There is something about getting away into a natural setting that enables focused spiritual growth. It works for kids, but it also works for adults.

We also believe this will enable us to bless other churches and the broader Body of Christ by hosting learning retreats and conferences, targeting singles, specific ministry applications, Christian leaders, etc.

Question 9

Will The Woods be able to use the retreat center?

Accepted Answer

Bear in mind, while we operate The Bridge’s budget and The Woods’ budget separately, it is all under the responsibility of our one elder board. So we are responsible for all of it, church and camp. But we believe it is wise to keep finances separate.

The retreat center would be available for camp use, particularly when housing needs are high, such as during summer camp. We will make financial arrangements for camp income to then pay for the retreat center use.

Question 10

Do you have any prospects on future locations?

Accepted Answer

We’re looking at multiple sites for our fifth location, northwest of Randhurst. We’re pursuing both purchase and lease options for a long-term solution, but in the meantime, we’re also looking for a temporary location so we can get going. We also see Des Plaines and Portage Park filling up regularly and are praying about what God might have for us between those locations. Every day, we're hoisting the sail!

Question 11

For The Bridge North Shore — are we looking for a permanent facility?

Accepted Answer

We have no plans to move at this point. Our Christian Heritage Academy accommodation is working well for us. But again, God may bring along an opportunity and if He moves, we’ll follow!

Question 12

Why is FAR such a small amount compared to the rest?

Accepted Answer

We believe 1.5 million is a lot of money, not a small amount. It's a 65% increase from where we were one year ago. We believe our first mission field is our Jerusalem, then Judea, Samaria, and the rest of the world. We have not waited to expand our reach to the rest of the world, and will continue to increase that support. But our first concern needs to be our Jerusalem.

Also bear in mind that for the ministries in FAR, all of the building costs, office admin costs, and much of the staffing are absorbed in the other parts of the budget, allowing for this amount to be concentrated. But those costs are real.

Question 13

Can our leaders handle this kind of growth without pride getting in the way?

Accepted Answer

The more God does in us and through us, the bigger a target we become. We have a spiritual enemy who wants to kill, steal, and destroy. And we recognize that the heart is an idol factory. The minute we change our focus from, “Look what God is doing in us,” to “Look what we are doing for God,” is the moment we will be in trouble.

But the answer is not, “We better not do this because it could lead to pride.” That’s the guy who buried his talent in the sand! The answer is...let’s pray like crazy as we follow the Lord’s lead, do everything He tells us to do, and keep watch over ourselves because the enemy desires to kill, steal, and destroy.

And this is why we ask you to pray. Pray for our elders, our pastors, our staff, and also for you. Pray that none of us, including you, will develop destructive attitudes. Pray for our unity and love for each other. And pray that we stay close to Jesus, never getting ahead of Him, and never lagging behind Him.

Question 14

What if we can’t keep our commitment?

Accepted Answer

The commitments we make will not be contracts. We know that life changes, and sometimes throws us curveballs. We should all do our best to keep our commitments, but we are also aware that sometimes circumstances can change drastically, getting in the way of our ability to do what we would like to do.

Question 15

Who will oversee/track the commitments and giving?

Accepted Answer

That will not change. We have an entire Finance Committee that oversees all of our finances, that is also overseen by the elders. Our financial secretary tracks the details, under the care of our Business Pastor and the rest of the Finance Committee.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS