Questions
Where's The Money Going?
A Q&A With Ken Murphy, Lead Pastor
Download a .pdf version of 'Questions and Answers.'
Questions:
What is the plan for the $1,000,000 challenge?
What projects will RAISE YOUR GAME fund?
What about Splash! and your plans there?
If Kindergarten moved to "Kidzu Jr.," would therebe any changes for Splash! ages?
Why is principle reduction a part of RAISE YOUR GAME?
How will reducing principle advance our ministry?
What is our current debt load?
What is our land and building worth?
Are there any ways that RAISE YOUR GAME will equip Stonecreek to maximize our ministry?
How will RAISE YOUR GAME help Stonecreek give beyond itself through Compassion Ministries?
One last question, Ken. Why "over and above" giving?
Q: Ken, share with us the plan for the $1,000,000 challenge.
K: With our commitment to generous giving beyond our regular tithe, our goal is to raise $1,000,000 dollars over fifteen months. These funds will be used for principal reduction on our bank note, new small group space expansion for Kidzu, new theater remodel for Splash!, environment enhancements for student ministries and capital improvements for our property and building.
Q: The expansion plans sound exciting. What projects will RAISE YOUR GAME fund?
K: RAISE YOUR GAME will better equip our ministries with the space and resources to effectively minister to those God entrusts to our spiritual leadership. Our plans are to commit $200,000 to purchase portable modular units that will provide space for Kidzu small groups. Modular units will also allow us to expand our children's ministry to offer "Kidzu Jr." geared for Kindergarten, Grades 1 & 2. "Kidzu" would offer age-appropriate programming for Grades 3, 4 & 5. The additional space would add more flexibility, allowing us to utilize our existing Kidzu Theater for "Kidzu" and "Kidzu Jr." while portables would be used for small group experiences for each age group.
Q: Kidzu is a great ministry. What about Splash! and your plans there?
K: We have been amazed at the response to our programming changes in our preschool ministry with the creation of Splash! for preschoolers. We have realized how important worship is to children, and are committed to allocate $100,000 to create a Splash! Theater by remodeling two existing preschool classrooms, applying quality environment design and installing media technology to facilitate Splah's large group worship environment.
Q: If Kindergarten moved to "Kidzu Jr.," would there be any changes for Splash! ages?
K: With the addition of portable units for the children's ministry, we would work toward transitioning Kindergarteners to "Kidzu Jr." At that time, Splash! would be designed for 3, 4 and 5 year olds.
Q: There seems to be a lot of emphasis on building our family ministries. What is in store for our middle and high school students?
K: We are so excited that we have a quality environment for our student ministry. However, when we moved into our facility, we were not able to purchase furnishings or apply environment designs relevant to student culture. Through RAISE YOUR GAME we want to allocate $50,000 for environment furnishings for our student theater.
Q: It is exciting to see our investment in the next generation. Why is principle reduction a part of RAISE YOUR GAME?
K: Through RAISE YOUR GAME, we are committed to reducing our current debt. The first $500,000 received will go directly toward principle reduction on our $5,495,000 note with the Bank of North Georgia.
Our original sponsoring church, Johnson Ferry Baptist of Marietta, has generously agreed to be listed as a limited guarantor on our bank note. Johnson Ferry was the church God used to secure our 51 acres and was the original purchasing agent of our property in April, 1999, until we built our current building in 2004. While Stonecreek has always made its own mortgage payments, Johnson Ferry's history and credit strength has been required on our bank notes as a limited guarantor to meet underwriting requirements. It is time for Stonecreek to reduce our debt and free Johnson Ferry from this banking commitment.
As we reduce our principle balance, we enable Johnson Ferry to focus their credit for new missions and church planting opportunities. Giving to reduce our debt not only brings Stonecreek healthy principle reduction, it also enables Johnson Ferry to invest in new ministry extension opportunities to further its mission in the new world.
Q: How will reducing principle advance our ministry?
K: We need to reduce our debt in order to maximize ministry. Money given to debt is money that advances the world's purposes and economy. When our debt is reduced, it frees resources to advance God's purposes and our calling as a church to "connect with people and lead them to an authentic and growing relationship with Jesus Christ." We want to be about maximizing resources for the message of Jesus Christ.
Q: What is our current debt load?
K: Currently, Stonecreek has $5,495,000 in debt. Ryan Martin, our director of operations, lead our note refinancing through the Bank of North Georgia in December, 2006, consolidating our land note of $1,700,000 and our construction note of $3,800,000. Debt service is currently 29% of our ministries budget. We would like to reduce this to a more reasonable 25% by aggressive principle reduction. At a minimum, we must reduce our debt by $500,000 over the next 15 months.
Q: What is our land and building worth?
K: In December, 2006, we received an appraisal of $12,000,000 for our land and building. God has truly blessed Stonecreek, as our land has appreciated greatly in value since its original purchase of $1,900,000 in April, 1999. Appraisal value doesn't repay debt, unfortunately.
Q: Are there any ways that RAISE YOUR GAME will equip Stonecreek to maximize our ministry?
K: As a young congregation, moving into our existing facility was God-sized endeavor. There were many things we elected not to do when we constructed this facility in order to maximize dollars at the time. There are several capital projects including landscaping, electrical, signage and furnishings that will enable us to deliver a completed aesthetic to our grounds and building. Environmental furnishings and fixtures will enable us to facilitate opportunities for adult involvement through technology and effective visual presentation of our ministries. We are allocating $150,000 for capital improvements and engaging masterplanning services from our architect.
Q: How will RAISE YOUR GAME help Stonecreek give beyond itself through Compassion Ministries?
K: As we have considered that God is calling us to raise our game for the next chapter in our ministry, we are excited to bring further development to our Compassion Ministries. Compassion literally means "to suffer with." Through our strategic compassion partnerships, we are committed to designating a tithe (10%) of all receipts given to RAISE YOUR GAME for Stonecreek's Compassion Ministries.
"For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.
"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?'
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.'"
Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV)
Q: One last question, Ken. Why "over and above" giving?
K: If we stop giving to our ministries budget in order to give to the RAISE YOUR GAME challenge, our ministries will suffer. RAISE YOUR GAME is an offering over and above our regular giving. Steven is challenging us to come through for the Stonecreek team, for the vision God has given us. We cannot become discretionary with our tithe to Stonecreek's ministries. Remaining faithful to tithing through Stonecreek's ministries, we are challenged to commit to give over and above our regular giving through RAISE YOUR GAME.
