4 F U N D
D E V E L O P M E N T
Building for Ministry
By Douglas J. Crozier, President
friend recently asked me, “From a biblical perspective, why should churches borrow money to build?” He expected me to quote a verse or two on finances. Instead, my answer was from Matthew 28: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (19 –20). Churches that obey this mandate to disciple, teach, and baptize will grow — and will often outgrow their facilities. To effectively minister to their communities, many churches need to expand or replace their buildings.
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CDF exists to support these churches in reaching the lost. We realize growing churches need prayer and trustworthy advice from an organization that understands ministry — not just dollars and cents from a lender. In the first six months of 2005, CDF approved $166 million in loans to Christian Churches all across the United States. Your CDF investments enabled us to meet this tremendous demand. Because of your partnership with us, churches around the country are able to build spaces to disciple, teach, and baptize new believers.
cornerstone
CHURCH DEVELOPMENT FUND V O L U M E 2 7, N U M B E R 1 SPRING 2005
C H U R C H
MANCHESTER CHRISTIAN CHURCH:
BRINGING NEW LIFE TO NEW ENGLAND
n the minds of the locals, Manchester, New Hampshire is the #1 small city in the Northeast. They proudly boast of its easy access to Boston, clean beaches, beautiful lakes, and snow-capped mountains. And, of course, Manchester’s claim to fame is the spotlight it enjoys every four years as the Presidential candidates compete to win the coveted first-inthe-nation primary election. But to Pastor Frank Reynolds and Manchester Christian Church, the Manchester area is about something much more important: nearly 200,000 people in need of the life-saving grace of Jesus Christ. Manchester Christian is distinctive for two reasons: it is not only the largest independent Christian Church in New England, with nearly 1,000 in attendance, but it also has a unique partnership with Restoration House, a ministry training center. The Restoration House built their ministry center directly behind the Manchester church building in 1995, and since then the two ministries have participated in several church plants together.
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Manchester’s interior caf´ provides a community gathering place — and shelter e from the harsh winter weather.
National Office Orange County, California (800) CDF-3880 Atlanta, Georgia (800) 459-1358 Colorado Springs, Colorado (800) 843-2233 Indianapolis, Indiana (866) 381-3800 Phoenix, Arizona (800) 503-3990 church @ CDFonline.org www.CDFonline.org
The purchase of CDF securities is subject to risks, which are described in CDF’s Offering Circular. This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy Church Development Fund securities. Such an offer is made only by an Offering Circular and only in those states where the Church Development Fund securities may lawfully be offered or sold. CDF securities are not F.D.I.C. or S.I.P.C. insured nor are they bank deposits. CDF is not in the business of providing legal or tax advice. For specific tax questions we strongly suggest that you contact your tax counsel. The Cornerstone (ISSN 1091-8744) is published quarterly by the Church Development Fund Inc., P.O. Box 19700, Irvine, CA 92623. Periodicals postage paid at Anaheim, CA 92816-6036. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Cornerstone, P.O. Box 19700, Irvine, CA 92623
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PA I D
CHURCH DEVELOPMENT FUND, INC.
P.O. Box 19700 Irvine, CA 92623-9700
A Provision Ministry Partner
Though the congregation was founded in 1961, Manchester Christian Church has enjoyed steady, almost explosive, growth — from under 200 to nearly 1,000 — since moving to their current site in 1993. They have been faithful CDF partners as well, borrowing over $3.5 million for various phases of construction. Manchester’s all-new 20,000 square-foot addition includes a 600-seat worship center and lower level classroom space, and showcases a striking interior design by CDF’s sister ministry, Visioneering Studios. Attendance at Grand Opening Sunday on April 3 was 1,300, but their average Sunday attendance for 2005 was already over 950 — before opening the new building! By developing a dynamic, energetic worship experience, loving fellowship through small groups, vibrant spiritual growth and a passion for new church planting, Manchester Christian is poised to do more than become the first Christian megachurch in the Northeast — they just might change New England!
The artwork in the new lobby at Manchester Christian Church proclaims the church’s purpose.
inside this issue
Advantage Investments www.CDFonline.org
The Blueprint Tour’s 10,000th Attendee By the Numbers
2 F U N D D E V E L O P M E N T
by t h e numbers The “Blueprint Tour”Welcomes its num be rs 10,000th Attendee
Wow! Have you seen our website lately?
f you haven’t visited www.CDFonline.org lately, you’ve missed a lot of exciting developments in cyberspace! Now, when you visit www.CDFonline.org, you can:
PUT YOUR
MINISTRY’S
C H U R C H
684
Churches and ministries with dollars currently invested in a CDF Advantage investment
6
Different Advantage investments available to churches and non-profit ministries (excluding negotiated investments over $250,000)
61
Millions of ministry dollars in Advantage investments (unaudited, as of 5/5/05)
or seven years CDF has co-sponsored a series of church leadership seminars called “Blueprint for the Future of the Church.” On March 15, Mark Briggs hosted an event in Honolulu — the final event of the 2004-05 tour season — where we welcomed the Blueprint Tour’s 10,000th attendee: Corey Arnold, Pastor at Sunset Beach Christian Church on Oahu’s legendary North Shore. Corey was surprised to be honored as the 10,000th Blueprint Tour attendee, but he was excited and grateful for the opportunity to attend that day and learn from Chuck Booher, Senior Pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley in San Dimas, California. After the event, Corey said he was glad to bring his staff and volunteers to a Christian Church/Church of Christ seminar in his area, where few ministry training events of any kind take place. “Our churches have a common understanding of essentials and non-essentials. With that doctrinal foundation established, I think people feel more comfortable with the practical application being shared at these events.” The 2005-06 Blueprint Tour begins this fall. For event dates and locations, or to register, visit www.BlueprintTour.org.
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Download important forms, documents and brochures View and apply for current job openings Check our current investment rates Sign up for CDF-sponsored events Use our mortgage calculator to estimate loan payments Subscribe to “The Connection,” our monthly e-newsletter E-mail any member of our staff, nationwide We’re working every day to make our website more informative and more useful. For example, we recently revamped all of our contact pages to make it easier to find the person you’re looking for. We updated our photo gallery with pictures and summaries of recent church building projects, and we’ve added prominent links to Provision Ministry Group and our ministry partners (Stadia: New Church Strategies and Visioneering Studios) in case you forget their address. One of our most popular website features, the church directory, is now powered by ChristianChurchToday.com, a popular new website dedicated to serving Restoration Movement churches and ministries. When you click the “Church Directory” link on our homepage, you’ll be connected to ChristianChurchToday.com, where you can view — and update — your church’s listing. More improvements (including online investment information) are planned for the near future, so add www.CDFonline.org to your internet “Favorites” and visit us often!
DOLLARS TO WORK
WHERE THEY
COUNT
Churches and ministries have unique financial needs; that’s why we designed our Advantage investments specifically for churches and ministries:
ADVANTAGE FLEX CERTIFICATES*:
• •
1,000
Minimum dollar amount required to open an Advantage investment
Vice President Mark Briggs (left) with Blueprint speaker Chuck Booher (center) presented Corey Arnold with a lei, a CDF gift set and a “Blueprint Tour” DVD for being the tour’s 10,000th attendee.
4.25*
Highest interest rate currently offered for an Advantage investment (12 month Jumbo Certificate, $100,000 minimum)
valid at time of printing. Interest rates are subject to change periodically and without notice. For a complete listing of investment rates, or to obtain an Offering Circular, call 1-800-CDF-3880 or visit www.CDFonline.org.
*Rate
Bring the “Blueprint Tour” home!
$1,000 minimum balance No early redemption penalties
G FACING CHALLEND E
THE
HE UNCHURCHE OF T
$15 (VHS or DVD) Order your copy today! (877) 807-5122 www.BlueprintTour.org Featuring Dr. Thom S. Rainer Author of Surprising Insights from the Unchurched This 30-minute resource includes an extended interview with Dr. Rainer, and: • Personal insights from evangelistic pastors and leaders • Candid comments from new Christians and non-believers • Facts and research about really reaching the unchurched
ADVANTAGE TIME CERTIFICATES:
•
$1,000 and $100,000 Certificates available Six month and one year terms Negotiated rates for investments in excess of $250,000
VIDEO
• •
C H U R C H D E V E L O P M E N T F U N D 3
(800) CDF-3880 www.CDFonline.org
*Flex Certificates are not available in all
states. Call 1-800-CDF-3880 or visit www.CDFonline.org to determine the availability of investments in your state.