Frequently Asked Questions

1.)  $22 million is a big number...can we do that?

Good question.  In the 1980s the leaders of FBCC, a church of 250, with an annual operating budget of around $200,000, caught a vision to build a building at the corner of Valley View and Webb Chapel that was estimated to cost $3 million.  Fund-raising-experts will tell you that a church will have a successful campaign if they get pledges of 3 times the operating budget, and 4 times is a "once in a lifetime event".  What FBCC proposed back then was 15 times their operating budget!   But you know the story...God was faithful and not only was the building built, but it was also debt free within five years.  Hallelujah! 
 
So back to the question...can we do it?  NO, we cannot do it. $22 million is more than 7 times our operating budget. But God can, through us, if He so wills.  The current leadership of The Branch intentionally sought a vision that was beyond what was humanly possible.  Therefore, anything that is accomplished will be by the grace of God...and for His glory.

2.)  Has the eldership sought advice from experts in the field?

We find great comfort in the advice from the wisdom of Scripture on this matter, especially Proverbs 15:22 "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." The elders and staff seek regular counsel from the business board on financial matters.  One To Grow On planning has included additional counsel from three outside sources:  Strategic Dimensions, which has a church project modeling tool; Del Rogers, who has experience with 100s of campaigns including three previous ones with us; and HH Architects, who specialize in church building design.    

3.)  Can you offer more details about the remodeling planned for the Farmers Branch campus?

There are two major items needed at the Farmers Branch campus, 1.)  New carpet, pew seat covers, and general decor updates, and 2.) Additional foyer space to promote fellowship after services.  A conversation with an architect some time ago yielded a proposal to add approximately 2450 square feet of foyer space by closing in the outside courtyard area in the center of the building, facing south.  We intend to revisit that proposal. 

4.)  Why is so much money needed for Vista Ridge?

With 20.5 acres located on 121 and I-35, we believe the Vista Ridge site is well situated to eventually become the hub of The Branch's multi-site effort.  The Farmers Branch site simply does not have the capacity to grow into this function.

5.)  Will there be additional campuses beyond Vista Ridge?

Yes, God willing, it is the heart of the leadership to add new campuses in the future as our congregation grows.  We envision campuses to the east, west, and someday to the south.  Gail White, Spiritual Emphasis Director of One To Grow On, has offered to be the founding member of the northeast campus when she relocates to Cincinnati, Ohio later this year!  God Bless you, Gail and Charles!

6.)  I attend Farmers Branch, why would I give to Vista Ridge or vice-versa?

We are one church in two locations right now.  Gifts go to support kingdom work through the entirety of The Branch.  The leadership is counting on the spiritual maturity of us all to give to future generations of believers who will benefit from One To Grow On, just like we are now reaping the benefits of those 250 people 20 years ago who had  the vision to build the Farmers Branch campus.

 7.)  Are there any changes planned for the worship services?

Yes. Two pressing needs are under consideration right now:  Adding a Saturday night worship service at Vista Ridge beginning November 10th and an earlier service on Sunday morning at Vista Ridge in January.  We would “video” the message at VR on Saturday night to make it possible for us to have an “early” service at both locations.  The issues we are addressing right now is how to accommodate all of the other things, such as children’s programs, that go with a service and how to get the volunteers needed.  You can expect to hear something in the next 30 days.

8.)  What about an a cappella worship services?

Presently, there are no plans to offer an acapella service at Vista Ridge.  We will continue to offer two a cappella services at Farmers Branch for those who prefer to worship in such a way.

9.)  Can we add services and not over burden Chris Seidman?  

The service schedule we are planning on being in on both campuses by January will be possible for Chris to function effectively in, provided we rotate the use of his message on video through different Sunday services each week.     

10.)  Do we plan to develop a pool of preachers?

At this time, we believe this is the season for Chris to serve as the primary preaching/teaching minister in all services at all locations.  The use of technology makes this feasible as well.   Chris has broached the subject of “a teaching team” with us and there will be more dialogue about this in regard to a long-range plan.

11.)  Are there going to be simulcast messages – meaning messages broadcast “live” in “real time” to another location?
  
Not at this time.  In order to do simulcast between the campuses we would have to make a fairly expensive five year commitment for telecommunications services and we are not ready to do that.  Also, the technology to support HD in simulcast is not yet cost effective nor as “quality” as HD recording direction onto a tape or disk.  Our current plan is to make steady improvements on our current technology, which involves using HD cameras to record one service and playing it in later services on HD projectors.

12.)  Are there plans for large One To Grow On events like we did in the past?  

Two such events are planned.  Invitations have gone out for the Leadership Gathering on Sunday night, October 7.  Invitations will be going out for a special All Church Celebration/Worship and First Fruits Offering on November 4th.  We’ll worship all together in one place on that Sunday morning – at the Hotel Intercontinental in Addison!  Details to follow soon….  
 

13.)  When will the decisions about borrowing for the other expansion plans be made?  

Once we have the total commitments in hand, plans will be made as to how to proceed and will be shared with the church.

14.)  How can we get more financial details about One To Grow On?

We are planning a Sunday afternoon seminar to go into the finances in more detail in the next 30 days. 

15.)  What is the amount of the operational expenses mentioned in the Fact Sheet?

The $22 million grand total on the Fact Sheet includes a $2 million line of credit that is earmarked for operational expenses. The elders have indeed discussed a need for checks and balances so this fund does not become "easy money".  Our policy is that money borrowed for operating expenses will be recommended by the business board and approved by the elders.   Upon reflection, the comment in the Fact Sheet that the LOC may potentially increase was ill advised.  There has been no discussion of this and there is no plan to increase the LOC amount.  In fact, our best case scenario never uses the LOC at all.  Nevertheless, in light of your question, the business board has made a recommendation to the elders to formally limit operational expenses to the LOC amount.  This will be discussed at the next governance meeting.   Please note that, in addition to utilities, insurance, and staff associated with a new campus, by far the largest expense is the interest on the $6.3 million note.  Some would argue this is not operational expense at all and I do not think anyone would have a problem using funds from One To Grow On for this purpose in any case.

16.) What if the funds do not come in as expected?

The typical church giving rate according to Strategic Dimensions is 85%. Our experience in the past three campaigns has been north of 95% of what was committed to a campaign.   All of our analysis has assumed a giving rate of 90% of what will be committed to the campaign.

17.)  What about changes to the scope of the project?

We are committed to doing everything we do the best of our ability.  There are 4 major components to this effort:  1.) Retire the debt on the Vista Ridge property, 2.)  Remodel the Farmers Branch campus, 3.) Build a 1500 seat worship center (Phase 1) at Vista Ridge, and 4.) Retire any of the line of credit that is used.  The grand total is $22 million.  If the Lord provides $22 million we do it all.  If he provides zero we will do none of it.  Servicing the current debt represents 16% of our annual operating budget and the consultants say the typical church can handle 15% without significantly impacting ministry. So if the Lord provides zero in response to One To Grow On we are ok with that too.  However, we will not scale back the quality of any of the projects in an attempt to shoe horn our vision into an inappropriate budget.  The Lord will provide the funds to do what He is leading us to do.