Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

1. How does tithing work with the capital campaign?
Tithing is our giving back to God ten percent of all that He has blessed us with, in obedience to His Word. The tithe goes to the CPC general fund to support the ministries and day to day operations of CPC.   People are reminded to tithe first and that tithing does not/should not come from what we have left over, rather it should be the first thing we do with the monies God has given us.  But there are also several examples in scripture where God’s people were called upon to give beyond the normal tithe to support special needs…Building the Tabernacle (Exodus 35 & 36), Building the Temple (I Chronicles 29) and the New Testament Offering for Jerusalem Christians (2 Corinthians 8-9).  All those who call CPC home are encouraged to give to [R]evolution in addition to their regular tithe.  As in the examples above, this could also involve the idea of sacrificial giving – where can we sacrifice things we daily spend money on in order to give it to the work of this vision at CPC?

2. What will CPC stop doing in order to free resources (people, money, time) for the [R]evolution you describe?
Nothing.  This is an opportunity to follow God’s call for CPC and for more people to become involved!

3. Is it wise to invest in church improvements since our denomination is in crisis?
If we wait for our denomination to be “out” of crisis, we may never move forward with [R]evolution.  Further, our ministries have never been controlled by the denomination.  We seek to pursue the path on which God leads us.  It is also helpful to know that no substantial funds will be spent on the CPC campus until the church property issues have been resolved.

4. Who do I contact for more information?
Contact Ted Temple (Elder) and Susan Ludes (Elder), or email questions to revolution@cpcventura.org.

ON-SITE QUESTIONS:

1.   Can you describe further what the On-Site Vision includes?
- Responsible stewardship of the Barnard Property, which is falling into disrepair:
    > Need to bring house up to code for safety, electrical, plumbing and disability access.
    > Repair leaks
    > Garage is falling down
- Prepare for bridging back to CPC from off-site ministry.
    > Provide safe, transitional space to continue relationships started off-site.
    > Develop new ministries that arise from needs identified as off-site relationships are established.
- Provide meeting and child care space for expanding and future ministries to various ages, such as
    > Midweek MOMS group
    > Sunday morning life-stage classes (current & new)
    > CPC youth events
    > Hosting overnight ministry groups
    > Expanding ministries to young families (Bible study)
    > Life-stage class bridge events
    > Expanding preschool outreach events
    > Alternate space for meal preparation when main kitchen is in use.
    > Free up fireside room for more comfortable gathering space.
- Develop a permanent, attractive, functional Welcome Center that is visible from the parking lot and leads people toward the sanctuary and education buildings

2.  Are there plans to expand the restroom facilities in the on-site portion of the program?
Yes.  Three new bathrooms, possibly including shower facilities if we can fit them in will be added in the Barnard House Renovation.

OFF-SITE QUESTIONS:

1. What is the purpose of OffSite?
To reach and transform the city of Ventura for Christ through relational ministries.

2. How will the grant programs work for OffSite?
Click here to access documents describing the OffSite grant program and to download an application.

3. What would be an example of grant-worthy projects?
- One example is Emmett Littleton, an academic and at-risk counselor in Oxnard and member of our church who longed to make a difference in La Colonia in Oxnard. He shared his prayer request in his Lifestage class.  In time an anonymous donor in the class ”invested” several thousand dollars to start a good work. Emmet now teaches kids in one of the toughest areas of the county about manners, treating others right, and showing respect. Through it he is building relationships, friendships and hope that enable him to be an influence in others lives. Our Kingdom Venture Capitalism is meant to function like this anonymous donor in the class.

- Another example, Anjanette Mensa had a vision and has created one of the most exciting ministries going on at CPC right now. Today MOMS meets each week at the church providing childcare for the little ones while the Preschool moms hear a speaker, work on a craft project, and have some adult conversation. MOMS is exactly the kind of ministry we want to sponsor and support through our Kingdom Venture Capitalism. In this specific example, grants would allow the group to attract exceptional speakers or even host a retreat for the Preschool moms, the majority of whom do not even attend a church.

- Another case, Brian Meyer is currently involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Ventura High.  FCA at Ventura High is not a work of CPC. We did not think it up nor do we run it. However, we want to make sure Brian has all the support resources he may need to continue the work. Grants would allow the work to expand, take on new levels, and have a greater impact at the school. Our grant program is designed to invest in spiritual entrepreneurs enabling them to start, continue, and expand the dreams the Lord has placed on their hearts.

- What about supporting teachers, tutoring programs, establishing a third place within the city, caring for the homeless, reaching kids in a neighborhood, feeding the hungry, and a thousand other possibilities which could be supported and encouraged as we help the people of CPC go out into the city and exhibit the love and character of the kingdom of God?

4. Will we continue to support our current local and global missions?
Yes.  We will not reduce our current local or global missions to support these new projects.   The heart of OffSite is something we call “Kingdom Venture Capitalism.” We are working to raise one million dollars for this side of the revolution. This money will be set up to be used as grants by people in the church who want to do ministry in our city. We desire, as a church, to help equip and financially support the ministry dreams and ideas of people in our church as they work to reach, love, or serve some part of our city.

FAR-SITE QUESTIONS:

1. Will we continue to support our current local and global missions?
Yes.  We will not reduce our current local or global missions to support these new projects.  Furthermore, the vision of Far-Site will enhance our relationships in Albania and Turkey through deeper partnerships and an ability to accomplish bigger things than previously dreamed. 

2. How will the grant programs work for Off-site and Far-site?
Criteria for projects will be defined by the FarSite Team and instructions developed for submitting a proposal.  Individuals who regularly attend CPC or small groups at CPC would need to develop their proposal and apply to the FarSite Team. 

3. What are the basic parts of the FarSite Vision?
The vision has three primary elements:
- Partner with Emanuel Church in Tirana, Albania as the primary partnership to fulfill their On-Site, Off-Site and Far-Site call.  This church in the capital of Albania is led by two Albanian pastors who also work full time in Christian ministries, one with the Albanian Bible Society and the other as the head of BSKSH, the Albanian IFES/Intervarsity. EC desires to become a connected, reformed Presbyterian congregation. Our Far-Site plans include partnering with EC on their On-Site focus through leadership development and connection with our Presbytery and other Reformed organizations.  We will also support EC’s church conference, both financially and through personal involvement, which is a primary evangelistic and discipleship ministry.  We will also partner with EC on their Off-Site focus – Vaqarr – a small Muslim village outside of Tirana.

- Partner with Antalya Evangelical Church (AIK), Antalya, Turkey as the secondary partnership through supporting the pastor-in-residence opportunity and the property/building project they are currently beginning.    This well established church is now led by a Turkish Pastor with two other Turkish young men. AIK desires to have their own facility where they will have their own identity as a church in a different part of Antalya from where they currently worship. We have the opportunity to partner with them by providing some of the funds necessary to purchase the property and build the church. Our Far-Site relationship with AIK will begin with an On-Site component. Their pastor will spend 12-18 months as a Pastor-In-Residence at CPC and Ojai Presbyterian Church.

- Establish a grant funding approach for the regular participants of CPC who desire to establish significant mission’s projects to seek funding based on guidelines defined by CPC Global Missions Team.   These Far-Site Grants are designed to equip our congregation for ministry and provide opportunities to move out in response to God’s call. As we move more deeply into ministering in the world, there will be some who receive a call that is not for Turkey, Albania, or one of our existing Missions partners.  Grants for specific projects will be provided based on a formal process with clear accountability. Our desire is to allow individual members of CPC to find where God would have them serve and begin to help empower them in that service.

4. What is an example of what a FarSite Grant could look like?
One example would be Dr. Kevin White, a local pediatrician and member of our church has a heart and passion for bringing medical care and ministry to the people of Africa.  This past year, he and his sons embarked on a trip where God used them to serve the people of Sierra Leone through such a mission opportunity.  Using this example FarSite grants would help develop a medical mission’s ministry, funding future trips to various countries, providing supplies, recruiting CPC medical personnel and more to the people God loves.