FAQ

The IMAGINE INITIATIVE is a two-year generosity campaign to expand Orchard’s support to every part of our mission of being people helping people find and follow Jesus both locally and globally. This is not just a building project. It’s a movement to create space for community connection, increase our impact and reach, and empower the next generation. As God has done more than we could ever IMAGINE over the past 20 years, He’s now inviting us to take a bold new step of faith together. We invite every person, every family, and everyone to be part of this historic moment to experience all that God will do.

No. Your financial gifts to the IMAGINE INITIATIVE should be above and beyond your regular tithe or giving.

On Sunday, March 1st, as a church family, we will set aside a special time in each service to express our commitment in two ways as an act of worship:

• One, we will complete a Commitment Card and turn it in to indicate what God is leading each of us to give for the next two years above and beyond our regular tithes or giving.

• Two, we will bring our First Fruits Offering to share our largest possible gift at that time to serve as a tangible expression of our commitment.

In case you’re unable to attend in person that day, you can turn in your Commitment Card and First Fruit Offering either before or after March 1st.

A First Fruit Offering towards the IMAGINE INITIATIVE carries the same idea as the times mentioned in the Bible when God’s people were encouraged to bring their first and best crops as an offering to the Lord (Proverbs 3:9-10). We are worshipping the Lord by making a sacrificial commitment to expand His work through Orchard.Church. On Sunday, March 1st, along with your Commitment Card, your First Fruit Offering is an opportunity to bring your largest possible gift towards the total amount of your two-year commitment as an offering to the Lord.

How much to give is a decision between you, God, and your family. Whatever the amount, Orchard will keep this private, not public. We only ask that you acknowledge that since everything we have belongs to God, you should follow His guidance on how He wants you to use it.

Gifts in kind/appreciable assets:

You can transfer ownership of stocks, bonds, real estate, automobiles, and so on. Tax codes are generous toward this form of giving. Gifting an asset to the church eliminates potential capital gains taxes and can boost the after-tax proceeds, resulting in significant tax savings.

Income-producing assets:

Interest income, payments from rental properties, or monies from other income-producing assets can provide another source to increase your giving.

Sale of assets:

Sale of major assets such as a house, car, land, or business can provide sources of increased giving.

Raises/bonuses/tax refunds:

Donating a raise, bonus, or tax refund are other sources and ways to increase giving.

Freedom from debt:

As debt obligations are fulfilled, this additional revenue can be part of your plan to increase giving.

Unique skills income/special sales:

Your marketable hobbies or skills could potentially generate additional income. Alternatively, you could hold a garage sale or list items for sale on Facebook Marketplace, using the proceeds to support the IMAGINE INITIATIVE.

Give up some luxuries:

Simple lifestyle adjustments can help make extra money to give to the IMAGINE INITIATIVE. This could come in the form of limiting vacations, canceling subscriptions, scaling back on other forms of entertainment, and choosing to make your own coffee and meals versus frequent coffee trips and eating out.

All giving to Orchard is confidential, including all financial gifts towards the IMAGINE INITIATIVE. Commitments can be changed if necessary, allowing you to either increase or decrease them as needed. That said, if you wish to change your commitment, we encourage you to only do so after much prayer.

No, you will not be billed. Ultimately, this is a commitment to God. So, we trust that you will meet your commitments in a timely manner. Financial gifts may be given securely online through the Orchard website or app, through a donor-advised fund (DAF), or via the mail. If giving by a paper check, please designate your checks by writing “Imagine” on the memo line.

A Donar-Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account allowing you to donate various types of assets (cash, stocks, non-liquid assets) and get immediate tax deductions. If you wish to give by way of a DAF, you can do so by calling the church office at 303-373-2828 or by contacting Candi Barrow at: candi.barrow@orchard.church.

If $6 million or more is sacrificially given over the next two years, it will enable Orchard to accomplish everything in the IMAGINE INITIATIVE and for the church to be completely debt-free! This would allow Orchard to reallocate $492,048 annually back into the mission of People Helping People Find and Follow Jesus—both in our community and around the world!

Ask questions and be informed. Most importantly, seek God by taking time to pray about what kind of financial sacrifice God is asking you to make. What best describes biblical generosity is “Not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice.” Not everyone can make a million-dollar gift, but everyone can make a sacrificial one. Remember, our ultimate goal in the IMAGINE INITIATIVE is 100% participation.

Once a year, Orchard undergoes a rigorous and complete independent third-party audit by the firm CapinCrouse. And every year, Orchard.Church is rated among nonprofit organizations as having one of the highest standards when it comes to financial practices and accounting requirements. Financial reports are available upon request and shared annually at Orchard’s State of the Church meeting each February. Additionally, Orchard’s leadership has demonstrated financial responsibility and effective management during the previous Legacy Campaign in 2015, which resulted in the construction and completion of Orchard’s current facility in Brighton, Colorado.