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TERRACE LAKE CHURCH
TERRACE LAKE CHURCH
One Mission. One Fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the long term vision as we launch a new generosity initiative?
Our hope is that REACH will help our church love God and love others. Generosity is an important spiritual discipline that God uses to challenge and grow each of us. We pray that REACH will help our church live generously for the purposes of God’s kingdom so that we freely give of ourselves to meet the needs of our church.
How does REACH impact our current missions and outreach giving?
We consider everything we do at Terrace Lake to be missional. In terms of giving to specific ministry partners (whether foreign, local, or sent missionaries), we want to move beyond just writing a check. We want to invest more fully with our ministry partners by increasing our financial support and our physical support through service, prayer, and building relationships.
What if I am new around here?
REACH is about loving God and loving others. We believe that the local church is one of the most exciting organizations to give to because of the local and global reach of an active church body. We would love for you to make Terrace Lake your home and join us in our pursuit to love God and love others.
What if I haven’t been baptized yet?
Giving is a spiritual step in discipleship, and it comes at different times for different people. Just like any other spiritual discipline, giving draws us closer to God. Whether or not you have taken the spiritual step of baptism, we firmly believe giving to God’s purposes will draw you closer to Him.
What if I am unemployed or severely in debt right now? Am I still supposed to give?
REACH is about loving God and loving others. It is also about our sacrificial generosity to the vision of Terrace Lake. We believe that God calls us to action in times of hardship, just as He does in easier times. This may mean God is challenging you to trust Him in faith by making a commitment that you don’t quite know how to fulfill right now, but that you believe God will provide for as you seek ways to sacrifice and work toward that commitment. It could be selling things, taking odd jobs, or utilizing savings. Giving generously isn’t about what God wants from you; rather it’s what God wants for you.
How will my “little bit” help? I don’t think my gift will make a difference.
How do I know that the church is being fiscally responsible and being held accountable?
The elders seek the vision of our church from God, interpret that vision and lead our church toward that vision. The Ministry Resource Council (MRC) takes that vision and determines how the church’s financial resources should be applied to reach it. Annually, the MRC (a team consisting of the treasurer, elders, church leaders and staff) develops the Ministry Funding Plan (MFP), which is essentially the church’s annual budget. The MFP is then put before the church membership for affirmation. Each question about the MFP is addressed before it is finalized. Additionally, the Treasurer provides quarterly updates to the church about our giving and projects that have been completed as a result.
What is the total cost of the building project? And how will we pay for it?
The total cost of the building project is $6.5 million. We will need to take out a loan to get started on the project. After a thorough study of scripture, the elders have agreed that we should not be in debt any longer than 7 years. REACH will help us secure the loan and begin to pay for the building project. Based on the sacrificial giving of our people, the experience of past initiatives, and new people coming to the church, we believe that this building project, while it will be a stretch, is well within what God can do with our church when we seek to love Him with our whole heart and love others as ourselves.
Why is REACH necessary so quickly after the Thirst initiative?
We accomplished much together in our last generosity initiative, Thirst, from 2015-2017. Each of our core discipleship ministries grew (Community & Discipleship Groups, TL Kids, TL Students, Biblical Counseling) and have been supported. The children’s ministry space has been finished. More staff were hired to meet the needs of a growing congregation. And, we continue to grow, which means God is at work! That is why we plan to join together again and live generously to reach for the vision for ministry God has given us.
What are other ways I can support the REACH initiative?
REACH is about more than our finances and funding a building project, making it different than a traditional capital campaign. We want each person’s heart to be transformed by God to create a culture of generosity. Ask God to reveal to you what you are holding on to instead of releasing to Him. It could be your time, a specific area of service, or a certain habit you’ve been reluctant to give up. Seek to love God with your whole heart; you can trust Him to lead you!
Will I have the ability to designate to a specific part of the initiative?
All giving to REACH will be undesignated. Your giving will be used for every need and project, just like your current giving to Terrace Lake.
Whom should I contact to discuss a gift of stocks, investments, or property?
Aaron Buchanan, Terrace Lake’s Treasurer, is able to assist with all such gifts. Contact Aaron at aaron.buchanan@terracelake.org.
What will happen if we miss our target of $4.2 million dollars over the next two years?
We expect to reach the goal, despite the challenge it presents! However, if we fall short, we will adjust expenditures based on priorities determined by the elders at that time; no initiatives will be entirely eliminated. If, by God’s gracious provision, we exceed the $4.2 million goal, we will be free to reach even more, responding to His Spirit and direction.
Why does generosity matter? How can being generous change people’s perception of Christians and the church?
When people outside the church see that we are eager to share what God has so generously given to us, they recognize that something must be different about the church. They see that we are living out what we say we believe. Quite simply we look more like Christ when we live generously. When we live and love others out of the truth of God’s love for us and His desire for us to be generous, not just with our finances but in all areas of our lives, everything else falls into place. We want to create a generous church body, one that walks into the world with open hands and a trusting heart in the One who owns it all.
Is there a meaning behind the REACH logo and design scheme?
YES! The design of the REACH logo is based on the idea that there are 7 days in a week, which is our capacity to reach others. We are all in different stages in our journey, but we are all reaching for God. The design scheme helps support this idea that we are all in different places striving to live generously with the different colors and designs representing different people.
