There will be a one-time cash offering and a 36-month commitment to give.

1. WE HAVE TO PRAY!

Prayer will invite God to be directly involved in the capital campaign. Prayer will give us direction to know what to give and the ability to do it!

2. WE HAVE TO BELIEVE IT CAN BE DONE!

Jesus said, "According to your faith it will be done!" (Matt. 9:29)

3. WE HAVE TO INVOLVE EVERY FAMILY IN OUR CHURCH!

It will take ALL of us praying, working, and committing together. The challenge is far too great for just a few families to undertake. We will need the commitment and support of every person in order to secure this legacy that will outlast all of us.

4. WE HAVE TO EACH BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE.

Nothing great is ever done without sacrifice. Your church needs your commitment now, like never before. We have been praying for and looking forward to this time for years. It is time to make the dream a reality!

5. WE HAVE TO BE CREATIVE IN FINDING WAYS FOR EACH OF US TO GIVE MORE THAN WE EVER THOUGHT WAS POSSIBLE.

Each of us can give far more than we think by giving it over a 36-month period. From selling assets and giving gifts from retirement to taking on part-time jobs and committing to give unplanned income, there are numerous ways to give more than you think!

It is important that we each let God direct our giving. The giving scenario below is simply an example. As we each pray about our gift, it is helpful to see what kind of giving will be necessary to accomplish our goal.

MY GIVING POTENTIAL

Each of us can give far more than we think by giving it over a 36-month period. Here are some examples of what you can give over a typical 36 months:

Two Important Reminders:

"Equal Sacrifice...Not Equal Gifts"

To "sacrifice" means to willingly give the best I have for a greater purpose. While we all cannot give the same amount, we all can sacrifice something. This way everyone can have a part. For some, a "sacrificial" gift given over three years may be $1,800. For others, a "sacrifice" may be closer to $25,000. God will impress a specific amount on your heart if you sincerely ask him to speak to you.

"Over & Above Giving"

The Possess Our Land giving needs to be in addition to our regular giving. This is the biblical model (1 Chronicles 29:3). Otherwise it hinders the ongoing ministry of Lakeline Church.

The most important decision you will make during this capital campaign will be the decision about your own giving commitment.

How can you decide how much to give over and above your normal giving during the next 36 months? What will your part be in raising over half a million dollars? It seems impossible, but it is not! If every adult who attends Lakeline Church will set aside $4.00 every day for the next 36 months, we will surpass our goal! So, the goal is doable, but the question is how much should you give? Dividing out the figure equally among Lakeliners is not the way God wants to stretch us and grow our faith. Telling everyone to give $4.00 a day can actually hinder many of us from experiencing God's blessings through stepping out in faith because it leaves God out of the equation. It becomes a matter of formula instead of faith.

As you begin praying about your commitment, please keep in mind that God expects equal sacrifice...not equal gifts. Obviously, God has not given everyone the ability to give the same amount in dollars. However, God does call us to make the same quality of commitment.

As you pray and consider what your commitment will be, remember that this capital campaign involves not only a one-time cash gift on November 20th, but also an amount God leads you to commit to give over the next 36 months over and above your normal giving. Most of us can give far more than we initially think by giving it over a three-year period. (See My Giving Potential above.)

To decide what to give, follow these six steps for determining God's will for your giving:

1. PRAY!

Begin by praying every day, "Lord, I want to give sacrificially. Now please show me how to give a gift that will stretch my faith." If you are married, pray together with your spouse.

2. ASK YOURSELF SOME KEY QUESTIONS.

If you will sincerely ask these six questions, you will be able to arrive at a specific amount to give. The amount will almost always be larger than the first number that you considered because it will be based on faith.

1. Will I give based on reason or revelation?

   There are two basic approaches to giving:

   I can give based on reason.

   This means I look at what I have, figure out what is "reasonable," and commit that amount. It takes no faith to give by reason. Reason asks, "What can I afford?"

   I can give based on revelation.

   This means I determine my gift by praying, "Lord, what do you want to give through me?" This requires faith. When you make giving a matter of prayer, your decision becomes an act of worship. Revelation giving is asking "How much am I willing to trust God?"

   So, is my gift just what I think I can afford or is it what God wants to give through me?

2. Does this amount really stretch my faith?

   2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." (NLT) Do I really believe this?

3. Does this amount show that I value my hope of eternal rewards more than material things on earth?

   1 Timothy 6:18-19, "18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life." (NLT) See also Matthew 6:19-21, 24.

4. Will this amount demonstrate how much I love Jesus Christ and my church family?

   2 Corinthians 8:7-8, "7 Since you excel in so many ways - now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving. 8 ...This is one way to prove your love is real." (NLT)

5. Does this amount represent genuine sacrifice?

   2 Samuel 24:24, "...I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." (NIV)

6. Does this amount express the level of thanksgiving I have for how God and Lakeline Church have blessed my life and family?

   Psalm 54:6, "With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good." (ESV)

3. GIVE YOURSELF TIME!

Do not rush your decision. You have over a month to pray about this. You will find that the longer you genuinely pray, "Lord, show me how," the more ways God will show you, and you will be able to give more than the first amount you considered.

4. THINK OF CREATIVE WAYS TO CONSTRUCT YOUR GIVING PLAN IN ORDER TO INCREASE YOUR IMPACT.

There are some creative ideas to increase your impact above and beyond your regular giving. (See Q&A 21.) These are merely suggestions of creative ways to participate and maximize your impact. Pray through the list and respond to God's leading if some of these ideas apply to you. As you develop your giving plan, consider any one-time cash gifts you can give as well as your gifts over the 36 months.

5. HOLD A FAMILY CONFERENCE.

Plan a family conference to discuss ways to give. Ask your family members to be thinking of ideas in advance. Be sure to involve your children, no matter how young they are. This is a great opportunity to teach giving and faith.

At your family conference, read some of the following Bible promises and instructions and make a list of what you learn: Proverbs. 3:9-10; 11:24-25; Matthew 6:19-20; Luke 6:38; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians. 8:1-12; 2 Corinthians. 9:6-12

In your family conference, ask yourselves aloud these questions:

• How much cash could we gather by November 20th?
• Is there anything we could sell or convert to cash?
• Do we have any tangible gift we could give?

• Are there ways we could decrease our expenses in order to make a larger commitment?
• Are there ways we could increase our income in order to make a larger commitment?

6. MAKE THE COMMITMENT AS A FAMILY.

Decide as a family the total amount you will give, hold hands, and have a prayer of commitment similar to this:

"Father, this is a big step for us. We are asking you to strengthen our faith and help us grow spiritually through giving. We thank you for all you have given us. We know we would not have anything if it were not for you. We want to be cheerful givers. We are claiming the promises you have said in your Word that you will take care of our needs if we trust you. Thank you for this opportunity to grow spiritually and to make an eternal difference by expanding your kingdom in our world. Thank you for our church. Help us to reach our goal of possessing our land. In Jesus' name, Amen."