Rev. Dennis Tedder

As we prepare to send the consultant back home and then on to his next assignment, our “Building on Faith” capital campaign leaders and congregation give thanks for your process, the consultant’s presence, and his constant professionalism.  We are genuinely sad to see him leave us.

 

First Presbyterian Church, Anderson, SC has gone through significant transition in the past decades, losing numerous long-time leading members to the Church Triumphant, working to welcome and assimilate young families, and redefining our vision and mission in a changed church culture.  Along with such challenges, our congregation has not had a capital campaign in over 50 years, and we have lacked an emphasis on long-term and planned giving.  Yet, by the grace of God, we are a spiritually vital and missionally engaged congregation.

 

Some of us were anxious and uncertain about undertaking a capital campaign to build a new greeting hall, to refresh our sanctuary, and provide additional mission and maintenance funds.  Some folks questioned our ability to raise funds three or more times our annual giving, only recently stabilized.

 

Now, six months after your associate arrived, we expect to announce gifts and pledges – thus far – equaling three times our annual operating budget.  However, we feel confident of more pledges and some significant gifts to come over the next few years for our “Building on Faith” campaign.  The consultant guided and goaded and assured us through these first formal phases of our campaign.  Without question, we would not have succeeded in raising the amounts and awareness needed to move forward if he had not, faithfully and enthusiastically, kept us focused on the Klote approach.   Of course, your stewardship process also benefits our congregation in more than financial ways – we have reached out, spurred faith, and reconnected.  Thank you for this.

 

In addition to his work, the consultant exhibited grounded Christian faith, hope, and love in our midst.  Numerous folks, on our steering committee or not, have commented that he has been “the perfect campaign director for us.”

 

We thank you for selecting and assigning him to us for our campaign.  We thank God for a devoted, dedicated servant and friend.

 

We will keep you posted on our ongoing work and progress.