HONOLULU CHRISTIAN CHURCH RENEWAL

(The answers expressed below are provided only for reference
 purposes and that they are not “set in stone”.)

 

 

Why are we entering a church renewal campaign at this time?

 

Both pastors believe that this church, as we step out in faith, will continue to grow.  We need to provide facilities to accommodate this growth, and to support our vision of becoming an Authentic Biblical community.  As we reach more people for Christ we need to provide the facilities that will nurture their growth.

 

After much prayer in regard to God’s direction for His church, while on his short term mission to the Philippines Russell received confirmation of this vision, sensing God saying to him, “I want you to step out on a faith journey: a church renewal campaign.  It is not because you, Russell, are strong, it is not because your church is strong, but because I am strong, I desire HCC to step out in faith, to build her faith, and have her experience the miracle!”

 

 

Are the English and Japanese Departments working together on this?

 

Yes!  The English and Japanese Department Joint Boards of Deacons and trustees have voted unanimously in favor of the plans.  This project is jointly sponsored by the Deacons and Trustees of both the English and Japanese departments.  The Renewal of HCC is a vision shared by both Pastors Higa and Seki.  The authentic Biblical Community includes the English and the Japanese congregations.

 

Do the pastors envision building a “mega church?” 

 

No, the spiritual and physical renewal of HCC involves utilizing our facilities to its maximum potential.  It is not about building a “mega church” but about being wise stewards of the facilities the Lord has entrusted to us.

 

What will the physical renewal plans provide for HCC?

 

  1. A 2nd sanctuary to accommodate the English and Japanese speaking departments
  2. Additional classrooms and office space
  3. Comfortable and pleasant areas for fellowship, prayer, and small groups
  4. A coffee lanai fellowship for fellowship, prayer, and small groups
  5. A commercial kitchen
  6. An elevator
  7. Additional parking spaces
  8. Central Entry / Defined Floor Plan / Convenient Drop-Off Location
  9. Drive-thru parking lot from Walu Way to Oahu Avenue
  10. Renovation of Existing Sanctuary

 

What is expected of me and how can I help?

 

We would like everyone to support the pastors’ shared vision.  We would like to see every person at HCC engaged in some portion of this project and will be calling for volunteers and support at every level.

 

Is there a fundraising campaign planned?

 

Yes!  The fundraising campaign is expected to be a personal faith journey for each member of HCC.  Funds are required to retire the debt for the purchase of the Walu Way Property and also to pay for physical renovation of the HCC campus.

 

What is RSI?

 

RSI (Resources Stewardship, Inc.  is the most experienced consultant for church fundraising in the United States.  They have assisted in over 7,000 campaigns and helped to raise more than $7 billion for churches.  RSI’s vision is to grow a joyful, faithful, and generous stewardship culture in your church. “for where your treasure is, there will be your heart also” (Matthew 6:21). Significant financial investment in ministry begins with spiritual growth. RSI’s approach is to do far more than raise money.

 

Why have we chosen RSI?

 

After two meetings with an RSI representative, and checking with a church in Hawaii Kai which utilized RSI’s services, the deacons of the English and Japanese departments are in favor of securing RSI’s services.  RSI also comes highly recommended from Pastor Dan Chun.  RSI assisted 1st Presbyterian Church in their giving campaign for the purchase of Koolau Golf Course. 

 

What will RSI provide for HCC?

 

1.  RSI has a consistent track record of excellently assisting churches to develop a spiritually motivated giving campaign.

 

2.  RSI has consistent track record of assisting churches to successfully reach their campaign goals

 

3.  RSI has developed proven strategies for giving campaigns and will create a strategy to meet the needs of Honolulu Christian Church.  This will free HCC from having to create their own giving campaign.  With a limited amount of staff and leaders, the responsibility of creating and implementing a giving campaign would be a heavy burden upon our church’s leaders.

 

4.  RSI will be there to assist us in every phase of the campaign.  They will lead training meetings, help us with promotional brochures, help us through unexpected difficulties, etc.

RSI will commit to helping us with the follow up of the campaign for three years.

 

5.  RSI will raise far more that we can raise ourselves.

 

6.  RSI’s services will come with a fee, but we feel that we “get what we pay for.”  By hiring “experts” with a proven track record, we believe we will get excellent results, and the benefits will far outweigh the fee for RSI’s services.

 

 

What is the cost for securing RSI?

 

The cost for securing RSI’s three year commitment to us will total about $60,000.00.

 

What is the anticipated time frame for all of this to happen?

 

Spiritual Renewal has already begun and will continue throughout HCC.  Assuming a vote of support for the physical renewal, the fundraising campaign will be developed this spring, take place this summer and conclude in a Fall Harvest 2008.

 

What if we don't raise enough money?

 

The HCC Renewal Project is designed to be comprised of many distinct phases.  The

Physical renewal will be sensitive to the actual funding raised and the various components

of the project can be done separately.  We expect to hold future fundraising campaigns for

those components of the project which are not completed with the initial fundraising effort.

 

What if we raise too much money?

 

This would truly be a blessing and would allow the entire project to be completed at this

time.  If there are still additional funds, then it may be used for upgrades to furnishings

and equipment as deemed necessary to the project.  Any excess would be reserved for

maintaining the HCC facilities.  An example of this could be a contract with an elevator

service company.

 

I don’t have money to help, but I want to be a part of this.   What can I do?

 

All members of the HCC family can participate in the spiritual renewal.  You can also

volunteer to be on one of the various committees as part of the project, particularly the

prayer teams and communication teams.

 

Can you explain how the phasing of the project will work?

 

The renovation of the Honolulu Christian Church campus facilities will consist of several distinct phases.  This is to separate the work for budget and planning purposes.  This will also allow scheduling of the phases to allow church activities to continue during construction.  (The phases will not necessarily be done in numerical order.)

            Phase I:          demolition of old parsonage, construction of friendship lanai,

                                    new sanctuary at 2nd floor, new entry, drive-thru at parking lot

            Phase II:         renovation of existing education building

            Phase III:         renovation of existing sanctuary

            Phase IV:       construction at Walu Way Property

 

Do you have an estimate on how long the physical renewal will take place?

 

Assuming a positive voting outcome on April 13 and design development beginning shortly thereafter, the permits and approvals could take from 1-2 years.  Phase I construction will take 8-12 months.  Phase II construction will take 6-8 months.  Phase III construction will take 4-6 months.  Phase IV construction is expected to take 9-12 months.  Subject to the fundraising efforts, the phases may be redefined or scheduled to simultaneously occur.

 

 

How much will this cost?

 

Our fundraising goal is to raise between 3-6 million dollars over a three year period.  This will allow us to retire the mortgage loan on the Walu Way property and begin construction on the physical renovation of the HCC campus.  We do not have final drawings or permits at this time but we are working with preliminary budgets as follows:

            Phase I:          $2,000,000-2,500,000

            Phase II:         $750,000-$1,250,000

            Phase III:         $250,000-$500,000

            Phase IV:       $1,000,000

These figures are only budgets and nothing else, and that the specific figures which we need to raise from the campaign will be discussed with RSI.

 

 

What about our parking situation?  How are we addressing this problem?

 

We need to provide more parking in order to receive a permit to expand our current facilities.  We are exploring various options to provide additional parking at the Walu Way Property.  We are also going to establish a parking ministry to help better utilize our available parking resources at HCC and within our immediate neighborhood.

 

What’s the difference between the building fund and the acquisition fund?

 

The Building fund is normally used for maintaining the HCC facilities and the Acquisition fund is used for property purchases such as the Walu Way Property. It is possible that the Building fund may be used for portions of the physical renewal.  For example, rather repair a leaking roof section, the appropriate cost for the repair may be allocated towards the installation of a new roofing system. This will be done on a case by case basis as we need to have funds available to take care of our facilities.

 

Will we have to relocate while the church is undergoing construction? 

 

The renewal plans and phasing are designed to allow church activities to continue during the construction activities.  There may be some relocation and modifications as required for construction and safety concerns.

 

 

 

What are the plans for our Sunday School?

 

When physical construction takes place, there may be changes to the Sunday School rooms and schedule.  Until then, no changes are planned as a result of this project.

 

Are the plans that you have shown us “set in stone” or can they be modified? 

 

The plans that have been shown are a visual aid representing a suggested approach incorporating the various ideas that have been proposed.  As more ideas are received from the congregation and as we begin working with the designers, the Building Department and the Manoa neighbors, the plans will be modified to reflect these changes.

 

How can I let you know what I’d like to see in this new project?

 

We have a communication team responsible for receiving and dispensing about the project to our congregation.  This will be an on-going and continuous process.  You may submit suggestions and comments through this team headed by Laurie Hirata.  We request that all suggestions and comments be accompanied with your name so that we can provide and get more information if needed and provide feedback to you on your ideas.

 

Will we be consulting with our neighbors?

 

This will be done at the appropriate times.  The building permit process will involve our

immediate neighbors, the Manoa Neighborhood Board and Public Hearings.

 

What will be done with the Lowrey Property?

 

The Deacons from the Japanese and the English Departments have agreed not to sell the Lowrey Property.  The Lowrey Property will not be sold without the consent of the Japanese Department Deacons.

 

What will be built on the Walu Property?

 

This will be developed in discussion with the Building Department and our neighbors.

Any development for church purposes will require a conditional usage permit.  The construction of a parsonage (residence) will not require such a permit.

 

What will we be voting for at the congregational meeting on April 13?

 

We are voting to support Pastors Higa and Seki as they lead Honolulu Christian Church through this campaign of spiritual and physical renewal.  This will begin the fundraising efforts with RSI as our consultant and design development of the plans for the renovation of the HCC campus facilities.

 

 

Revised April 13, 2008