Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the XtremeSteps Ministry Expansion Campaign? XtremeSteps is a nationwide campaign for fulfilling the Great Commission through expansion of local congregational ministries, district church planting and international missions.
• Why should a church choose to participate in XtremeSteps? It is an opportunity for local congregations to participate in spreading the Gospel through the planting of 442 new churches in the U.S. and increasing the number of Converge Worldwide mission-aries to 205, the highest level in Conference history. This occurs at the same time as the local church benefits by raising significant funds for its own capital project or ministry need.
• How may a local church participate? The options for congregational participation are numerous. However, the option creating the greatest excitement and preferred by most congregations is a Capital Stewardship Campaign.
• What is a Capital Stewardship Campaign? A CSC gives church members an opportunity to live out God’s will for their lives as stewards of time, talents and resources. It occurs over a span of approximately five months, during which a congregation is organized for a spiritually enriching and financially successful campaign, introduced to Scriptural principles of Christian stewardship and called to prayer. At the end of this five month period individuals are invited to voluntarily make non-binding three year financial commitments.
• In addition to partnering in the Great Commission initiatives of the larger Church, how does a congregation benefit from conducting an XtremeSteps Capital Stewardship Campaign? A primary benefit is the exposure church members receive to God’s truths concerning faithful stewardship, an essential ingredient of Christian discipleship. A second benefit is that most congregations will be able to raise between one and a half and three times their annual income in over-and-above giving. Churches are free to use their portion of the proceeds to fund their own identified need: the purchase of property, new construction, renovation of existing facilities, debt retirement, expansion of staff and programming, an endowment for congregational ministry and mission, or whatever other need or vision is identified. An unexpected, but often realized, outcome is the unity, fellowship and joy that a church family experiences as it works and gives toward a common goal.
• Our church doesn't have a capital need. Why should we consider doing a campaign? Could your church benefit by having additional funds available for the growth of its ministry: $100,000 to $3 million or more? Pray for God to show you how to take advantage of this unique opportunity for funding your church’s future ministry and outreach.
• Is it true that a church is asked to share a portion of its campaign proceeds? Every congregation that participates in an XtremeSteps Capital Stewardship Campaign will share 20 percent of its actual proceeds, up to a maximum church contribution of $300,000, in order to make a partnership investment in the church planting and missions expansion efforts of CWW and the church’s home district. A small portion of this sharing component is also used by the Conference and district to pay the consultation fee for the church’s campaign. In other words, a full 80 percent of campaign proceeds will remain to fund the local congregation’s project or need.
• How is a congregation equipped to conduct a Capital Stewardship Campaign? Converge Worldwide and the thirteen districts have unanimously chosen RSI to provide professional consultation to local churches. RSI is the oldest, largest and most successful Christian fund-raising and stewardship consultation firm in the country. Since 1972 they have led campaigns in 7,000 churches in over 40 denominations. God has used them to raise over $7 billion for Kingdom purposes. RSI’s unparalleled services will be provided at no additional cost to participating churches.
• Is this a manipulative, high pressured fundraising scheme? RSI’s reputation has been built by leading churches in campaigns characterized by prayer, not pressure. By engaging in prayer, church people are led by the Holy Spirit as they determine the level of their commitment. Therefore, no campaign leader or church member ever has to speak to another person about giving. There are no solicitation phone calls nor an every-member canvas. People are merely given the opportunity, in a very comfortable and non-threatening way, to make commitments consistent with their prayerful understanding of God’s will for their financial participation.
• Is this opportunity appropriate for all churches and those with many new believers? RSI capital campaigns have been successfully conducted in churches of all sizes, from those of a few dozen households to mega-churches, from urban to rural settings, and with both traditional and seeker orientations. This is a wonderful opportunity for both new Christians and long time believers in every church to grow in their understanding and practice of Biblical stewardship.
• When may a congregation participate in an XtremeSteps Capital Stewardship Campaign? Some churches are already engaged in campaigns. Others may choose the time that is best for them, as campaign consultation will be provided through the fall of 2004.
• How else may a church participate in XtremeSteps if it doesn’t conduct a capital campaign? Congregations can also invest in this Conference-wide Great Commission effort by choosing to engage in a Stewardship Enhancement Program and sharing 20 percent of the resulting increase in regular giving, donating a portion of the proceeds of an existing campaign,  making a gift from the church’s missions budget, or taking special offerings giving church members an opportunity to make direct pledges to the XtremeSteps campaign.  Additional details of these options are available upon request.
• Why is this campaign named XtremeSteps? We have an opportunity for making an extraordinary impact. Many people are living lives of hopelessness and quiet desperation, in need of the Gospel. Yet, the cause of Christ is on the advance. Achieving God-sized Great Commission goals, that bring hope and change lives for time and eternity, demands that extreme steps be taken. By participating in XtremeSteps every congregation and individual believer can have extraordinary Gospel impact in their local community, across this country and around the world.

You have been called for this purpose...to follow in His steps. I Peter 2:21 NASB