By Brendan Manson / President of Fellowship Development
A church capital campaign is a focused, time-bound effort designed to address transformational needs that regular giving cannot cover. It may fund a new facility, major renovation or strengthen an endowment, but its impact goes beyond finances. A capital campaign expands a church’s capacity to serve, strengthens its mission and leaves a lasting legacy.
At the center of every successful campaign is a strong, memorable theme. The theme captures the vision in a way people can easily understand and repeat. It becomes a rallying cry, uniting church members, families, alumni and friends around shared purpose. A compelling theme inspires generosity, engagement and long-term participation, helping the community see its gifts as investments in faith and the future. Beyond the campaign, a well-chosen theme lingers in memory, reminding everyone of the shared story that inspired action.
How to choose the right theme for your church capital campaign
Selecting the right campaign theme begins with clear goals. Leadership must define what the campaign aims to achieve – building, renovating, expanding, investing in ministry, etc. – so the theme rests on a solid foundation. It should reflect the church’s mission, values and spiritual identity, often drawing on phrases from past communications or Scripture. Strong themes use short, active words like Building, Renewing or Reimagining to convey momentum.
Timing also is key: The theme should be ready before the campaign launch to guide all messaging. Church leaders play a central role, embodying and preaching the theme throughout the campaign. Involving church members in developing the theme can create early buy-in, strengthen ownership and ensure the message resonates with the broader community. Fellowship Development campaign managers support this by developing a campaign plan and strategy that ensures the theme is inspiring, practical and consistent from start to finish.
21 church capital campaign themes that inspire
Themes Inspired by Scripture
Building on THE Cornerstone – Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Bloomington, Ill., based its theme on Ephesians 2:20: “Jesus Christ himself being the cornerstone.”
Restore, Renew, Rejoice – The theme for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in San Francisco pulled from three key Biblical themes.
Upon This Rock – Preserving Our Home – St. Dominic Catholic Church in Denver based its theme on Matthew 16:18: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.”
Like a Mustard Seed – Prince of Peace Catholic Church in San Antonio based its theme on the parable of the mustard seed: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed… though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree” (Matthew 13:31-32).
Themes Focused on Growth and Expansion
Flourish: Strengthening Roots. Extending Reach. – Christ Redeemer Church in Hanover, N.H., used the theme in its campaign to build a permanent church instead of worshipping in borrowed space.
Rooted in Faith – Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in La Vista, Neb., ran a campaign to support a permanent second location, complete maintenance and support construction of Lutheran school in Cambodia.
Building Light & Faith – In Spokane, Wash., Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Parish used this theme in a campaign to replace the church roof, remodel the sanctuary and build a parish hall complex.
Building on Faith, Growing to Serve – St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and School in Ocean Springs, Miss., combined two ideas with this theme in its effort to replace the school’s roof, renovate the church, build a new church entrance, expand the sacristy and build a new adoration chapel.
Building Our Center of Divine Mercy – St. Faustina Catholic Church in Fulshear, Texas, used this theme in its campaign to build a church where all could worship.
Growing in Faith Together – St. John the Evangelist in Valley, Neb., needed more space to accommodate its growth. The church ran a campaign to expand its facilities with a new Faith Formation Center.
Themes Centered on Community and Unity
Renovating Lives: So All Might Believe – Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus, Neb., wanted its campaign to reinforce the idea that renovating its facilities would have the effect of renovating and refreshing people’s faith.
Building in Faith: One Mission, One Community – Faith Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Neb., emphasized togetherness and unity in its campaign to build a new church.
Come Join Us – Bringing everyone together – and having enough space to do so – was the focus of a campaign at St. Joseph’s on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
One Parish, One Church – St. Clare Catholic Church in Roseville, Calif., played off the diocesan ONE Campaign with its theme, which emphasized unity.
One Family, One Purpose – Leaders at St. John the Baptist Church in Alvin, Texas, wanted to focus on uniting for a good cause with its theme for a campaign to build a new Family Faith Formation building while participating in the archdiocesan IGNITE campaign.
Themes That Emphasize Legacy and Future Generations
A Blessed Past … A Hopeful Future – Hope Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Neb., wanted to remember its past while looking forward in its campaign to fully pay off its mortgage, install a new sound system in the church and establish a maintenance fund.
A Century of Faith. A Future of Hope. A Community of Love. – St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Lincoln, Neb., looked back on the past century and toward the next with its campaign theme.
Generation to Generation – In San Diego, Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church used this theme in its campaign to build a new preschool building and repurpose space for ministry and community use.
Sacred Inheritance, Anchored in Grace – Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora, Kan., recalled legacy with the first part of its campaign theme. The church wanted to renovate the parish hall and kitchen, complete work on the Fr. Riley Center and add an elevator and bell tower to the church.
Celebrating Our Faith, Embracing Our Future – St. John Neumann Parish in Bryn Mawr, Pa., looked to the future with its campaign theme. The church wanted to renovate its church and to expand and renovate its school.
Our Faith. Our Family. Our Future. – St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Bellevue, Neb., used this theme in its campaign to renovate and beautify its church, renovate the parish offices and enhance its facilities maintenance fund.
Capital campaign theme vs. campaign logo and slogan
A theme communicates the heart of a campaign, while a logo and slogan bring it to life visually and verbally. A strong theme is short, memorable and inspires imagination – words like Ignite or Building Light & Faith are examples that convey action and vision.
Fellowship Development’s award-winning graphic designers translate these ideas into logos that reflect the church environment, symbols of faith and mission identity. Fonts, colors and shapes reinforce the church’s character – traditional for stability, modern for progress or playful for community energy. This is the heart of designing logos and visual materials that embody the campaign’s theme.
Consistent use of the theme and logo across letters, brochures, pulpit announcements and events builds recognition, strengthens the message and encourages participation throughout the campaign.
Tips for creating a memorable campaign theme at your church
A memorable theme is one of the most effective tools to inspire generosity and unite a church community. The best themes are simple, faith-filled and easy to share, serving as a constant reminder of the vision behind the campaign. Here are a few practical tips for creating one that resonates:
- Incorporate Scripture and faith-based language: Ground the theme in God’s Word or language that reflects the church’s spiritual identity, connecting the campaign to the faith of the community.
- Listen to your community: During the feasibility study, see if any major themes, scripture or talking points emerge from discussions with your community. A theme rooting in the language and interests of the community will inspire more support.
- Use storytelling to connect to mission: Show why the projects matter and the difference they will make. A theme that tells a story inspires participation and ownership.
- Work with designers: Visual identity strengthens a theme. Fellowship Development’s graphic designers create logos and design elements that bring the message to life.
- Test for clarity and emotional impact: Share theme options with church leaders or small groups. Ask if it’s understandable, memorable and something the pastor could preach to.
- Reinforce the theme consistently: The theme should appear everywhere – print materials, digital channels, pulpit announcements and events. It should be the not-so-invisible thread that ties the effort together.
Examples of campaign materials and communication tools
Fellowship Development will create a wide range of capital campaign communication materials to share a church’s vision. Print items – case statement booklets, brochures, pledge cards and prayer cards – give church members tangible ways to engage. Digital tools, including dedicated websites, email newsletters and social media graphics, keep the community informed. Video storytelling and personal testimonies bring the campaign to life, while consistent branding strengthens recognition.
By blending design, narrative and strategic messaging, every element reflects the campaign’s theme and helps the community feel connected to its purpose.
Engaging the congregation with your theme
Introducing the theme is about connection and communication. Previews, teasers and small group discussions create anticipation and invite church members into the story. Incorporating the theme into sermons, announcements and events ensures it feels present in church life. Personal stories and interactive events give community members ownership and deepen engagement.
Fellowship Development’s campaign managers help coordinate these efforts, making sure the theme resonates and strengthens participation across the congregation. This work is at the core of engaging and communicating with the congregation so that the campaign feels like a shared mission rather than a leadership directive.
Inspirational case studies and examples
Churches across the country have demonstrated how a strong, well-crafted campaign theme can inspire generosity, deepen engagement and build momentum for lasting impact. The following case studies highlight how three churches partnered with Fellowship Development teams to connect their vision with their people in meaningful ways.
Christ Redeemer Church – Flourish: Strengthening Roots. Extending Reach.
For nearly two decades, Christ Redeemer Church in Hanover, N.H., worshiped in borrowed spaces while dreaming of a permanent home. The theme captured church members’ desire to put down roots and their mission to expand the church’s reach across New England. The campaign theme resonated strongly with members and external donors, symbolizing stability and growth. As a result, Christ Redeemer Church exceeded its fundraising projections, positioning the church to move forward confidently with their long-awaited facility. Lesson Learned: A theme that reflects both history and vision can unify the congregation while inspiring generosity from those outside the church community.
Peace Lutheran Church – Renovating Lives: So All Might Believe
In Columbus, Neb., Peace Lutheran Church identified much-needed improvements to its heavily used facilities. By engaging members in listening sessions, the leadership shaped a theme that spoke directly to both practical needs and spiritual purpose. This clear and faith-centered message energized members to see the project as more than construction but an investment in mission. The church exceeded its fundraising projections and fully funded its goals. Lesson Learned: When the theme ties facility updates to discipleship and mission, members are more motivated to participate, pray and give sacrificially.
Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church – Generation to Generation
The San Diego church leaned into its 85-year history to frame its campaign theme. This phrase connected the congregation’s legacy with its future, underscoring the importance of caring for sacred spaces and building for those yet to come. By rooting the campaign in its long-standing story, the church inspired both nostalgia and forward-looking commitment. The church exceeded its goal and secured a foundation for future ministry. Lesson learned: Themes that honor the past while casting a hopeful vision for the future create a powerful emotional bridge that inspires broad participation.
Mistakes to avoid when creating a campaign theme
Even a strong campaign can falter with a weak theme. Avoid generic or unclear messaging, inconsistent branding and overly complex visuals. Failing to include church members can risk the theme feeling imposed rather than embraced. Fellowship Development campaign managers guide leadership through these pitfalls, ensuring the theme reflects the church’s heart, inspires action and endures throughout the campaign. By understanding the mistakes to avoid in campaigns, leaders can protect momentum and build confidence from the start.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a church budget for branding and theme design?
Every church has different resources, but it is worth investing in strong design that clearly communicates the campaign’s vision. Fellowship Development’s designers can create quality branding that helps church members connect with the campaign – which will pay off in participation and support.
How long should a campaign theme be used?
A theme should remain consistent throughout the entire campaign. From the initial quiet phase to the public launch and the final celebration, keeping the same theme ensures clarity and reinforces the message at every stage.
Where can churches find inspiration for campaign slogans and visuals?
The strongest ideas often come from prayer and Scripture, as well as from the church’s own history and identity. Looking at the architecture, traditions or values of a church community can spark inspiration. Many churches also draw from the creativity of their members. By exploring examples of campaign themes and slogans, church leaders can gather ideas that align with their identity while learning what has resonated with other congregations.
Final thoughts: Let your theme reflect your church’s heart
A successful campaign theme unifies, inspires and invites participation in ways ordinary messaging cannot. When thoughtfully crafted, it becomes a living testimony to mission, guiding fundraising while strengthening the church. Fellowship Development helps churches blend creativity with faith-centered language, intentional planning and collaborative engagement, ensuring the theme resonates and endures.
A theme that truly reflects the heart of the church will guide the campaign while deepening faith and community for years to come.
