FAQs

Our Promised Harvest

Frequently Asked Questions

This is a list of frequently asked questions and concerns voiced since “Our Promised Harvest” Evangelism and Capital Campaign began.

Q. Is Our Promised Harvest all about pledge sheets and money?

A. No, in fact the priority efforts of our activities called “Our Promised Harvest” are to spread the Gospel Message, and in doing so, help win souls for the Body of Christ, some of whom, God will send to join Mount Olive. The pledge sheets are simply to serve as a means to plan regarding the building project. The monthly updates are intended to keep Church Members informed on measurable indicators of the Our Promised Harvest activities: First time visitors, those who joined with MOBC, pledges and pledge performance.

Q. Why is there a pledge sheet for the building fund, but not one for the operational budget?

A. True, the pledge sheet was created as a planning tool to assess how the members of Mount Olive plan to financially support the building project. Some consideration was given to creating a similar sheet for the operational budget; however, for 2016, we plan to continue to keep Members informed of the operational budget during business meetings and the monthly updates.

Q. Why are there white, gold and even purple envelopes? Isn’t the money all going toward the same thing??

A. This system was set up to honor the intentions of those who financially support Mount Olive. Therefore, contributions made in white envelops go to the annual operational budget. Contributions made in gold envelopes go toward the building fund. Contributions made in purple envelopes go toward the announced focus area for the current Faithful Friends activity. This method offers accounting accuracy and ensures our contributions are available to the aspect of the overall budget as we intended them to be.

Q. Why do I have to fill out a new pledge sheet every year?

A There are multiple reasons why a current commitment form is essential:

MOBC has enjoyed tremendous success afforded by God’s Grace and the ability
to do deliberate planning and execution rather than operate in the crisis action
mode.

The commitment sheet conveys recognition that this building project is a GOD SIZED, WHOLE CHURCH, Member Supported experience, and says “I’m on board”. A current commitment sheet from each participant (giving unit) is an essential tool in the project management aspects of this effort. MOBC must have an adequate level of confidence regarding the financial input for planning purposes.

Q. What happens to the funds raised in our other Higher Calling Fundraisers?

A. Higher Calling fundraising events are designed to raise awareness of MOBC and provide an avenue to generate funds from outside of MOBC (such as Gospel Concert ticket sales, advertising space, and donations). Proceeds from Higher calling fund raising events are earmarked and set aside for the building construction phase.

Q. How much am I expected to give towards the building fund?

A. No specified amount is designated, and no one is interested in knowing the incomes of our givers. Simply put, while the actual amounts will vary 10% = 10%, and the level of commitment to this project is an individual decision. The underlying theory of this capital campaign is that of equal sacrifice as opposed to equal gifts. To date, several MOBC members tallied as “giving units” have listened to the Holy Spirit and joined in to help as they are persuaded to do so. They are contributing cheerfully and regularly towards their stated commitment. The demographics of those participating range from Saints who have seen a few birthdays to Saints who have seen quite a few birthdays, from Saints who have joined MOBC this year to those who helped dig out the basement on Telegraph Road

Q. What is a “Giving unit”, that term sounds so impersonal, vague, and business-like?

A. A “giving unit”, is an industry term used in the fields of philanthropy and lending; however, the definition seems to be somewhat vague and prone to interpretation. For example: Is a nuclear family with two working and contributing adults one giving unit or two? How about two sets of working adults in one household (sisters and brothers, offspring living at home) who each earns income and contributes? Is this one or two giving units? If a married couple writes separate checks they might well be considered two giving units, but if they combine their giving into one, does doing so arbitrarily reduce our giving units by one?. Comparisons or calculations based on a vague or poorly defined terminology will always be suspect at best, and meaningless at the worse. For MOBC, the giving unit is the person, or persons listed on a commitment form where that best translates to “this is how many checks come in from a certain address”. Here is how it works. If a married couple writes one check, they constitute one giving unit. If a married couple specifically requests to be counted as individual contributors, and they complete separate commitment forms, plus provide contributions by separate checks, they will be considered as two giving units. If a person or married couple has working off-spring or other relatives in their household who choose to participate in the capital campaign, they can either complete their own commitment form or that household will all be counted as one giving unit.

Q. What if several family members, a ministry or a group of Saints with a strong bond or shared interest or common goal (Affinity Group) wish to pool their gifts in order to reach the threshold for one of the “Naming Opportunities”, will they be able to do so?

A. Yes, several saints can pool their gifts to meet the threshold for one of the naming opportunities in the new building. Example- if members of the Maxwell family wish to honor their ancestors through having a classroom named in honor of someone, then those 5 giving units’ contributions must meet or exceed the ($50K) threshold. Another example – the Ministry of Deacons (by definition, an Affinity Group) chose to collectively pool their contributions and named a large conference room. More often than not, the gifts made in the harmony and unity of an Affinity Group are over and above individual giving plans.

Q. What happens if my situation changes after I have turned in a commitment sheet?

A. Those who filled out a commitment form and set up a contribution plan are asked to notify the Church Administrator and complete a new commitment form if life situations change.

Examples:
The member needs to make an adjustment to their contribution schedule (weekly
to monthly, monthly to annually and so on.)

The member chooses to commit more or less than the original amount
IF one of those conditions applies please annotate “ADJUSTMENT” on the new
commitment form so you will not be double counted

Q. What happens if I became a new member in during pledge year?

A. Your gold envelope contributions during the duration the capital campaign count towards that campaign in the year in which they were given and will be used to meet specific project milestones and/or phases.

Q. What if I have more questions than those addressed on this sheet?

A. The Capital Campaign and building project updates are also briefed during our Church Meetings, Church Steering Council Meetings and Church Business Council Meetings. You are welcomed to contact your Tribe Leader, a member of the Capital Campaign, or Strategy Team who will diligently pursue an answer. Meanwhile, we plan to post the FAQs on our webpage and keep them updated as a component of our strategic communications plan. You may also contact Deacon Howard Hall (703 580 5092).

Q. When will we move into our new building?

A. If God says the same, our building will be completed mid-May 2017, and we will be ready to move in as soon as possible afterwards.

Q. How much will our new building costs?

A. Approximately $12.5M

Q. Will we be able to use the whole building on day one?

A. No, our current funding profile allows us to build the whole building exterior and complete the interior in phases. We will complete as many of the interior spaces as our gifts to the ministry will allow us to afford. OUR GOALS for phase 1 accommodate current MOBC activities, and stop paying rent to Freedom HS & other venues.

Q. What can I do to help?

A. Prayerfully consider your role as a member of MOBC, then start or continue to participate in bringing in the promised harvest and financially supporting the capital campaign. Collectively, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, plus your cheerful and regular contributions of God given time talents and funds, we will see God’s vision for MOBC become our reality.