In 1962, we became the pioneer of capital campaign services for churches by launching Together We Build ®. Through the years, this program has been changed and updated to meet current needs. This classic campaign is a tested, successful way of reaching people and impacting the future.

Let’s face it - finances in any setting can be a sensitive and stressful subject. In a church setting, however, it takes a delicate balance of prayer, faith, and strategy to fulfill your potential. Too often, churches risk outgrowing their new facilities before they are paid for. Church staff and lay leaders can be consumed by a campaign when their families and ministries need them. Such stress can cause church bodies to disconnect - the exact opposite of what Christ intends for His church.

Our programs reduce wasted effort and stress by offering valuable guidance and assistance, based on proven strategies and expertise.

Capital Stewardship Isn’t Just for Buildings

Sometimes the need is for renovations, debt reduction, new church starts, satellite ministries - even new property, church vans, playgrounds, new carpeting, pews, stained glass windows, or a new audio-visual system.

LifeWay Capital Stewardship can assist you with just about any God-inspired goal.

The Nine Principles of Together We Build

The Together We Build® campaign is built on the following nine principles that help make this strategy a spiritual experience as well as a stewardship campaign:

1. The Principle of Prayer
   “except the Lord build the house” Ps.127:1
    
2. The Principle of Sacrifice
   “not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice” Cf. 2 Sam. 24:24; Heb. 12:2
    
3. The Principle of Communication
   “tell the people, trust the Lord and see a miracle”
    
4. The Principle of Involvement
   “the people had a mind to work” Neh. 4:6
    
5. The Principle of Commitment
   “I will not ask others to make a commitment until I have made my own”
    
6. The Principle of Witnessing
   “giving encourages giving when shared”
    
7. The Principle of Asking
   “you do not have because you do not ask” Jas. 4:2b
    
8. The Principle of Timing
   the right person asking the right person at the right time in the right place in the right way
    
9. The Principle of Accountability
   “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants” Matt. 18:23

The Approach of Together We Build

• More than a Campaign
  Conducting a successful capital fund-raising effort is dependent on prayer. More than a campaign, Together We Build is essentially a spiritual exercise designed to stretch and grow a church family in the area of stewardship. And spiritual growth is always the result of prayer.
   
• Encourage Good Communication
  Next to prayer, few considerations are more important than good communication with your church leaders, so they in turn can communicate with the entire church family. People are motivated to give when they understand the goals and objectives of the capital campaign and when they can relate to expanded opportunities for ministry and outreach. Our trained consultants place strong emphasis on educating and involving the entire church family through specific, targeted communications.
   
• Analyze, Plan, Train, Inspire, and Follow-Through
  Your LifeWay consultant is trained to help your church analyze your giving potential and to help the church set realistic goals - all in the context of sound stewardship practice. More than a campaign, Together We Build is a biblically-based approach.

The major element of a TWB campaign is the development of a customized plan, in concert with your church staff and key leaders. Enlisting, training, and leading volunteers through the program is critical to a successful campaign, and our consultants are highly proficient in building and training an effective organizational framework.

Each step builds momentum, culminating in a "not-to-be-missed" event and time of personal commitment. Our involvement extends through the successful conclusion of Together We Build, to include appropriate follow-up and review.

The Features of Together We Build 

1. Building the Organization
   During a three- to five- month period, more than one-third of the membership will be enlisted and trained to work in the program. Special training is conducted by the consultant to ensure that each person knows and understands his or her role.
2. Goal Evaluation
   The consultant works with church leaders to determine the church's giving potential, ensuring that the goals set are challenging, yet realistic.
3. Prayer Support
   Early in the program, prayer leaders are enlisted and trained. Their role is to share information, introduce Together We Build, and lead in a church wide prayer effort — the spiritual foundation for the program.
4. Advance Commitments
   Some families are invited to make their commitments prior to the Together We Build Special Event to create excitement and to encourage other families as they make commitments.
5. Communications
   This element is critical to inform, challenge, and build a spirit of togetherness and sacrifice. Promotional mailings, sermons, testimonies, a special Bible study, advance commitment, commitment enlistment, and training will be conducted over a four-week period leading up to the Special Event.
6. Special Event
   The church will provide a quality Special Event, climaxing the four-week major communications thrust. It is a time of sharing information, worship, inspiration, and fellowship.
7. Commitment
   Following the Special Event, families are invited to make a Together We Build Commitment.
8. Follow-Up
   Near the end of the program, a follow-up organization is enlisted and trained. This group functions during the next three years, encouraging faithfulness in completing commitments and involving new members as they are added to the church.