Greater Still FAQ

During this two-year period, every contribution to God through FBCBA is a contribution to our Greater Still initiative.  Every aspect of the ministry vision God is calling us towards for the next two years will be funded through Greater Still. 

Every gift that is given to FBCBA will go to the key components of this initiative – to reach BA and Beyond in our ministry operations through Greater Ministry, to continue and expand the support to our local and global mission partners through Greater Missions, and to renovate and enhance our current ministry facility through our Greater Future.

For decades, our church has been committed to being debt-free. This commitment is part of our DNA, and there is no intention for that to change. As with previous projects, we will not borrow money, and we will not commence with the project until 60% of the funds have been received.

Our prayer and our expectation is that our people will respond to this vision in a way that allows us to do the entire project at one time. As a renovation project, it would be difficult and more expensive to divide it into phases. But, we will respond as the Lord leads and as our people faithfully commit and give.

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.  Engage in the Greater Still group study during this season, if you’re not already engaged in one.  Engage in personal reflection with God in the Greater Still workbook you will be receiving.  Talk with your group, your spouse, your family, friends, or others about what this commitment will mean for this next exciting season of your life.

We are asking that you make a commitment to Gospel-driven, surrendered generosity – whatever it is that God leads you to do.  Follow His leading.

Finally, prepare to be amazed.  It is an awesome God that we serve, and we anticipate He will move in huge ways as we seek an unprecedented impact from our collective Greater Still commitments – something only God can do.  Please mark your calendar for Commitment Sunday on March 6, and prepare to experience a life-changing worship service that will forever be remembered as a defining moment for our church and for our own faith.

Be creative as you explore ways you and your family can give towards Greater Still.  You might have some stocks, property, or other items of that nature.  Or you may have some stored resources that God has blessed you with in the past that He might be calling you to give out of during this time. 

Please let us know if you need assistance with facilitating gifts of property or stock, and we would be happy to help you with that.  You can contact Susan Clawson at sclawson@fbcba.org or 918.258.4575 to make a gift of this type.

We are asking that everyone make a two-year commitment.  The fulfillment period for your commitment will begin with our First Big Give on Sunday, April 3, 2022 and it will culminate in April of 2024.

Greater Still is about your total, prioritized, Gospel-driven generosity to God’s mission at FBCBA.  We believe that God calls us to action in times of hardship just as much as He does in times of abundance, and that looks different for every person.  Greater Still is about a heart surrender - one that is only accomplished by seeking the Lord and responding to His call and His Word.  That may mean that you are being challenged to sell things, to pick up odd jobs, or even to trust God in faith by making a commitment that you don't quite know how to fulfill right now but that you believe God will provide for as you seek for ways to sacrifice and work towards that commitment.  

We would love for 100% of us to be a part of Greater Still so that we can all be supporting, loving, encouraging, and praying for one another through this spiritually-stretching season at FBCBA.

The truth is that none of us know exactly what our future will hold.  That’s the beauty and challenge of taking steps of faith!  We want to encourage you that even if you’re not sure if you’ll be a part of FBCBA for the full span of the next two years, we invite you to still commit to generosity and be a part of this life-changing endeavor God has for our church in this season.  If needed, you may modify your commitment at any time.  But often, people will continue to support FBCBA, even after they’ve left the area – as a ministry they continue to be a part of into the future.  If you happen to move out of the area, we would love for that to be your story!

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.  We would be happy to help you in this journey and/or to recommend a budgeting class that might minister to you.  Being in debt does not, however, make someone "excused" from giving.  Giving isn't about what God wants from you; rather, it's about what God wants for you.  So, it should be our joy and privilege to give at all times, regardless of the amount or percentage.  Please contact us if you need assistance with paying off of debt while still giving or if you would like to speak with a budgeting counselor, and we would be honored to help.

Greater Still was crafted specifically with you in mind. Greater Still 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.   Greater Still is a call to surrendered, Gospel-driven generosity for absolutely everyone at FBCBA.  If you have never given before, this is your chance to get in the game with committed giving.  We really hope you will.

Greater Still is about the vision for our church and our personal discipleship in giving as followers of Jesus.  We believe that the local church is one of the most compelling missions to give towards, and we would really love for you to make FBCBA your home and join us in Greater Still.  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!

Great question.  People take different spiritual steps at different times.  Some people begin praying before they begin attending church.  Others begin going to a growth group before they begin talking to God in prayer.  Giving is another spiritual step, and it comes at different times for different people.  One thing is for sure, however.  Just like other spiritual disciplines, giving draws us closer to God.  And God is calling ALL of us to give. 

Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19) Whether you have taken the spiritual step of baptism or whether you haven't yet, we would encourage you to still join us in this Greater Still initiative.  We firmly believe that it will draw you closer to God and hopefully to a place where you are ready to make the decision to become baptized and to surrender your life to the Lordship of Christ.