FAQs - ALL IN

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are you asking me to do in this initiative?

First and foremost, we are asking that you pray and seek God’s leading on what He is asking of you. Prepare your heart to hear Him, and then listen to what He says. This is about discipleship first. Join a small group. Begin serving. Commit to a Bible reading plan. Start a prayer journal. Talk with a trusted friend or, if you’re married and have children, talk together about what this commitment will mean for this next season. Specifically in the discipleship rhythm of generosity, we are asking that you make a sacrificial commitment so that God can accomplish His mission through us in our community.

Aren’t we doing OK financially? Why is it important that we talk about this?

If you have never given financially to RVCC before, ALL IN was crafted specifically with you in mind. This is a “One Fund” generosity initiative, meaning that it is different from a traditional capital campaign where you are called to give an extra gift above and beyond your normal giving - thus creating TWO STEPS for people who aren’t yet giving. All In is a call to radical, sacrificial generosity for absolutely everyone at RVCC. If you have never given before, this is your chance to join in on the journey with a regular and sacrificial gift.

How is ALL IN different from my normal giving?

ALL IN is a financial commitment over a specific time frame. We want you to ask the Lord what a sacrificial commitment looks like. We are inviting you to take the next step in your journey of generosity and give in a way that changes you.

I’m more comfortable with designated giving because it supports the areas I’m passionate about. What’s the problem with that?

Just like our regular giving, we are asking people to generously respond to the full ALL IN vision over the next two years through RVCC’s One Fund. Our leadership has been entrusted with the responsibility of prioritizing spending on the new initiative and management of the funds. They will do so with much prayer, and with great care and stewardship of the resources given.

What if I am brand new to RVCC

ALL IN is about the vision for our church. We believe the local church is one of the most compelling missions to give toward, and we would really love for you to make RVCC your home and join us in this initiative. If you are ready for it, this is a perfect time for you to put a stake in the ground and make this your church. We need you on the team!

What if I have not been a regular giver to RVCC before? Should I make a commitment

My time is valuable, and I give a lot of it at RVCC. Why are you asking for my money too

We think the Lord asks each one of us to give sacrificially of everything he has given us – time, energy, skills, and yes, money. The Lordship of Jesus means He is Lord of all areas of our lives.

Shouldn’t giving be a private matter between me and God

Giving is a matter between you and the Lord. It’s certainly personal, and almost entirely private. There will be no published list of who has given what. The RVCC Finance Department and the Lead Executive Pastor are the only ones who will know what’s given.

If I am in debt right now, should I still give to ALL IN

If you are someone currently seeking to make payments to pay off debt right now, we commend you for making progress on that. And you should continue to do so. That does not, however, take the place of giving financially. Giving isn’t about what God wants from you; rather, it’s about what God wants for you. Find joy in giving at least something at the same time as you are finding joy in paying off debt and becoming financially free. Please contact us if you need assistance with this or if you would like to speak with a budgeting counselor.

Given the economy, inflation, and perhaps impending recession, why don’t we wait on ALL IN until things are better.

In the wake of the pandemic and amid the current economic uncertainty, an active and vitalized church is needed more than ever. While we are aware of the current economic conditions, we also know there will always be challenging times. We trust that each individual and family will prayerfully seek God’s direction and follow His leading, in addition to evaluating financial priorities. This is a good moment to remember a larger picture:

The story of the Christian church is one of faith and generosity even during times when conditions have been hard (read Acts 2:44–47; 2 Corinthians 8:1–15; 9:6–15).
We see this kind of commitment being exercised by our mission partners all over the world under conditions considerably tougher than we endure in the United States. We still live in the most materially blessed nation in human history.

I am uncomfortable when we focus so much attention on money. Can you help me

Jesus spoke about generosity more than any other topic in Scripture, except for the Kingdom of God. Not only does Jesus talk about giving, He instructs us how much to give. Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Generosity is about more than just money. It is about our heart posture and living a life clearly committed to Christ.

Why is debt reduction healthy and necessary?

Mortgage debt is a firm obligation that (until it’s paid off) limits what we can do in ministry in the present and the future. It’s good stewardship to minimize debt and pay it off as quickly as possible.

How does the giving in the ALL IN Initiative that starts in June affect the 2023 budget?

The ALL IN goal is to raise $5 million over 24 months, and that amount includes the current giving in the annual budget. We will make adjustments to the 2023 budget and beyond midway through the year as commitments are made and fulfilled.

Who makes the spending decisions at RVCC?

The annual budget is prepared by the pastoral staff and approved by the Board of Elders. The day-to-day spending decisions are overseen by the Lead Executive Pastor and staff, within budget and spending guidelines established and monitored by the Elders.

How long is my commitment?

We are asking everyone who calls RVCC their church home to make a two-year commitment—24 months of giving. The fulfillment period for commitments begins on June 1, 2023, and concludes May 30, 2025.

In addition to cash, are there other ways I can give more to the ALL IN initiative?

Yes! Be prayerful and creative as you explore ways you can give to the initiative. You might have stock, property, or other items of value. You may have stored resources God has blessed you with that He is calling you to give out of during this time. Please contact Scottie Nix at [email protected] or visit allinrvcc.com to learn more about non-cash gifts.

In addition to a financial commitment, how else can I participate in ALL IN?

We want everyone at RVCC to engage on a transformative spiritual journey through All In by praying, studying Scripture, participating in small group, life and engaging others in the journey. Consider sharing your story with others. Join or lead a group. Serve faithfully or for the first time. Take the next step in your journey of discipleship and see what God does.

Additional Questions?

You may reach out to Rusty Carlson, Lead Executive Pastor, or any of our pastoral staff, who are available to answer any further questions you may have. You may also contact us at [email protected], or use the form below to submit a question.