Perspectives – Fall 2015 Issue



Welcome to the Fall 2015 edition of our online newsletter. We are delighted that you continue to follow the services our firm provides to churches throughout the United States and Canada.
We are humbled by the number of churches that have engaged us to partner with them this Fall and into the new year. It continues to reassure all of us at James D. Klote & Associates that our method of full-time capital stewardship is a ministry in itself. This is a ministry that we wholeheartedly believe in and will continue to grow in the years ahead. We also are so thankful for all of friendships we have made, the wonderful testimonials we’ve received, and the trust that each one of our clients has in us.
I hope you enjoy this issue of “PERSPECTIVES”. The consultants and staff of our firm offer ‘our perspectives’ and experience regarding capital campaign topics. We hope that you find our articles relatable, friendly and helpful.
We certainly pray the weather is treating you well, putting a smile on your face and a warmness in your heart.
Blessings,
Erin West
Vice President of Operations
Preparing Focus Group Presenters
By Wayne Spaulding

Among the sound principles that guide the undertaking of a James D. Klote and Associates capital campaign is the requirement that a Readiness Assessment be conducted. The Assessments main objective is to test the plan that leaders have decided will best address the current and urgent needs of the church. The Readiness Assessment is the opportunity to test the feasibility of the church leaders’ proposed plan.
Testing the Plan
The plan that church leaders developed is the subject of the Readiness Assessment. Through individual interviews and focus group meetings, the plan’s feasibility is explored and tested. Certainly the individual interviews are important, but it is during the focus group meetings that the vast majority of members will have their opportunity to learn about the proposed plan for themselves and offer their input. From a strategic perspective, the Readiness Assessment is an indispensable component in the firm’s overall approach to conducting a capital campaign.
Read more…
Request For Proposals
By Erin West
We are often surprised when a church leader sends out a request for proposal for directing a capital campaign. Usually, there is little information to delineate what the real ministry and financial needs are for the church. Seldom do they share when they feel they would like to conduct a campaign or what the annual giving is or the total number of households there are at the church.
It is unfortunate when church leaders want to make a decision on which firm to hire based on a “boiler-plate” proposal. Deciding on which firm to partner with is as important as calling a new pastor. It is incredibly important to find the right match.