Q: WHY IS THIS LOVE FORWARD INITIATIVE NEEDED?

A: We believe that the components of the Love Forward initiative are mission critical as we pursue the Love First Vision over the next 10 years. The “Gather” component will allow us to reconfigure our worship space to house both of our worship styles (acappella and instrumental), to fully accommodate those who speak different languages, and to use the environment to tell the Love First story. The “Gather” component also includes a new front door and connection space that intuitively guides our guests every Sunday, from the time they pull into our drive to the moment they enter the front door (whether on foot or in a wheelchair) to clear signage in multiple languages. We want to eliminate the guesswork of navigating our facility, and the connection space literally connects the front entrance to a large welcome area, as well as the stairs that lead up to children’s and student ministries. It also provides plenty of room for people to naturally connect, perhaps over a cup of coffee, before and after services. The need for the “Grow” component is outlined in item #2 below. The “Go” component will allow us to take those vital next steps forward with some of the initiatives from our Love First vision. This includes planting churches or satellite campuses in metro Atlanta, continuing to plant churches in North America, and further investing in mission outreach efforts around the world.

Q: WHY DOES THE CURRENT CHILDREN’S MINISTRY SPACE NEED TO BE UPDATED?

A: First and foremost, the current children’s ministry space, which was built over 30 years ago, exposes significant safety concerns. The rooms currently open off of a main hallway that is used each Sunday as a public thoroughfare. Additionally, the configuration of the rooms does not allow for potential lockdown situations. Because we have a growing children’s ministry, we need to renovate the current space to provide classroom spaces and nursery spaces that are not only safe and inviting but also adequately accommodating to current usage and future growth needs.

Q: WILL LOVE FORWARD ADDRESS OTHER FACILITY NEEDS, OR WILL IT BE LIMITED TO THE AUDITORIUM, CHILDREN’S MINISTRY, AND CONNECTION SPACE?

A: It is our hope that Love Forward will address a number of facility needs. For example, we believe that it is mission critical to offer each of the ministries of this church (from Student Ministry to Anchor Ministry to Catalyst and Young Adults and others) with the dedicated space needed to continue to carry out the Love First vision. By fully funding Love Forward, we hope to provide all ministries with the dedicated spaces they need.

Q: WHY DO YOU BELIEVE WE CAN EXPAND OUR GIVING (MAKE OUR FINANCIAL GOAL) BEYOND WHAT IS CURRENTLY GIVEN?

A: While we have not challenged ourselves as a church to increase giving since our last giving initiative in 2002/03, there is an atmosphere of enthusiasm that exists for the Love First mission and vision of North Atlanta. As a result, we believe there is a significant desire among our church family to build on this foundation of faith for the future – to Love Forward.

Q: THE TOTAL ESTIMATE IS $12 MILLION. HOW WILL WE COVER THE DIFFERENCE IF WE DO NOT ACHIEVE OUR GOAL?

A: If we do not receive gifts and pledges for the full amount, we will adjust our plans and build only what we have the resources to complete. This will require dividing the master plan into phases, completing what can be funded, and deferring the subsequent phases that require additional finances.

Q: HOW WILL THE PRIORITY OF PHASES BE DETERMINED?

A: We believe that all phases of this project are needed and are mission critical. However, if the total amount of gifts and pledges does not permit us to complete the entire project, we will gather our leadership to determine what is most critical for our future vision and begin with that phase of the project. We have determined that whatever the outcome of the Love Forward giving initiative, we will devote a portion of the resources toward the “Go” component which will fund future vision implementation.

Q: WHY DO I NEED TO COMPLETE A PLEDGE CARD?

A: Our vision needs the testimony of your support. Additionally, because this project is so large in size, we need to know that we can count on you and your financial commitment in order to effectively plan for the completion of this project. We are asking you to help us be responsible in counting the costs and assessing our available resources.

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GIVE, AND WHEN DO I GIVE?

A: We offer multiple options for giving on our giving portal at give.nacofc.org. Love Forward is a 24-month initiative. You can give in one lump sum by various methods – online, by cash, check or gifts of stock, or you can give monthly or quarterly or annually over the next two years using these same methods. If you choose to use the giving portal, just select “Love Forward” in the dropdown menu. For gifts of stock, contact Linda Lindsay (linda.lindsay@ nacofc.org) in the church office (770-399-5222).

Q: WILL GIVING TO LOVE FORWARD HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON FUNDING FOR THE ONGOING MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH?

A: We anticipate that this special giving will not be detrimental to our weekly foundational giving. We are asking our church family to make gifts in addition to their regular giving – just as one might take care to fund their usual home expenses and then commit extra for a special project.

Q: WHEN DO WE EXPECT TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT?

A: As funding is made available, we will further engage our architect in completing the design process for the renovation and addition. As the design is completed and a general contractor/construction manager is selected, we will begin the construction phase of the project. At this time, it is difficult to pinpoint the project duration, as it depends on a number of variables, including if/how we phase the work, as well as what the final scope of work includes. With respect to a timeframe for church planting, we anticipate that these and other vision projects will be phased in over the next 10 years.

Q: HOW WILL THIS PROJECT IMPACT CURRENT MINISTRIES?

A: Undoubtedly, there will be a time of transition. However, all of our ministry leaders are strategizing ways to make this time of transition a time for discipleship growth.

Q: WHY HAVE WE AIMED OUR FUTURE VISION AT CHURCH-PLANTING EFFORTS IN THE ATLANTA REGION, IN NORTH AMERICA AND AROUND THE WORLD?

A: We have considered a number of options, but we believe that God has called us to this vision. We are dedicated to becoming a Love First, diverse, inclusive community of faith, and we are convinced there is a great need for churches in Atlanta, North America, and around the world that pursue this Love First vision. Where will the location(s) be? We have not determined the locations of the churches we will plant in Atlanta. However, the current thought is that we will form these communities of faith from existing small group communities. What are the costs? We are currently analyzing the costs for launching church planting efforts and that analysis will receive more study in the coming months.

Q: HOW DO WE KNOW THE COST IS NOT TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE?

A: We are diligently working with our architect to insure that we are addressing our key needs and planning for the future with these renovations. We will also be working with consultants and contractors to manage the costs and match our funding ability with vision priorities to carry out the project in phases if we need to do so.

Q: WILL THE CHURCH TAKE ON DEBT?

A: The elders have determined that we will not add long-term debt, so we will only begin what we receive gifts and pledges to complete and only undertake the initiatives that can be funded by the results of the Love Forward giving initiative. After receiving commitments scheduled to be met over a 24-month period, we may possibly pursue a short-term construction loan which would allow us to launch the project while pledges are still in the process of being fulfilled. This could be the most cost effective approach since the costs of interest on a short-term loan could be less than the increasing costs of delaying the start of construction until all pledges are fulfilled.

Q: ARE WE COMFORTABLE THAT ALL OF OUR CHURCH MEMBERS ARE ON BOARD?

A: Over 500 adults attended one of our four Vision Preview events in January, and the feedback received was overwhelmingly positive. Additionally, over 80 percent of those who attended a preview event committed with us to pray, serve, and give like never before. We are hoping that 100% of our church family will commit to participating in the Love Forward initiative.

Q: IS THE $12 MILLION GOAL THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT?

A: This amount represents the current cost of completing our master plan. Since we have not had a giving initiative in over 15 years, and will not likely have another one for quite some time, we believe that it is appropriate to aim at fully funding and completing this plan. We are trusting in God’s direction and believing in the faith and generosity of the church, knowing that this goal is only going to be reached with the help of God and the participation of every family member at North Atlanta.

Q: HOW DO WE KNOW THE COST IS NOT TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE?

A: We are diligently working with our architect to insure that we are addressing our key needs and planning for the future with these renovations. We will also be working with consultants and contractors to manage the costs and match our funding ability with vision priorities to carry out the project in phases if we need to do so.