Introduction
The principals of SDG bring unique and extensive experiences and relationships to the mission of preparing Christian congregations for growth in Great Commission ministry. The value added to each of our projects by this collected learning can best be understood in and through the information given below:
Experience
Business Owners
As partners, officers, and/or sole practitioners, both principals of SDG have experienced all aspects of business ownership, including several start up ventures.
What does this mean for you? We understand the importance of high quality service and the financial responsibilities of business ownership.
Non-Profits in For-Profit Activities
Both principals have been involved in the protection of non-profit status, including the formation of
for-profit subsidiaries to purchase and develop real estate.
What does this mean for you? We understand the legal and tax implications of running a non-profit organization.
Fund Raising
SDG's President has been involved in numerous capital campaigns and fundraising efforts for capital improvements and real estate acquisition by non-profit and for-profit organizations. The CIO holds a Series 7 License (inactive) used to raise capital in the securities market.
What does this mean for you? We understand how capital campaigns succeed and how they fail, and we understand the nuances of gathering large investors for real estate acquisition.
Strategic Thinking
The President has authored, taught, and led strategic thinking processes and implementation in both for-profit and non-profit organizations.
What does this mean for you? We are able to think outside the box in a disciplined, structured way that insures looking at all reasonable alternatives before making decisions.
Development
Both principals have successfully acquired properties of all sizes and uses for their non-profit clients. The President has entitled and managed the development of projects of all sizes and uses for both for-profit and non-profit clients. The CIO holds California licenses as both a real estate broker and a general contractor. He has also been a partner in a Property Management company, specializing in both residential and commercial properties.
What does this mean for you? Our experience provides us judgment and discernment about real estate matters, giving us the ability to recognize potentially negative and expensive consequences before they happen.
Architecture
The President is a licensed architect in the State of California and has, over the last 35 years, successfully completed the design and construction of projects including churches, schools (PreK-12th), childcare, colleges and universities, retail, industrial, professional offices, destination resorts, hospitals, and residential of all densities.
What does this mean for you? Because of our experience, we can accurately predict the amount of land you need within one-tenth of an acre and the facilities required for your ministry/business within one hundred square feet. This could potentially save hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessarily large properties and facilities while preventing land and facilities that restrict your ministry/business by being too small.
Urban Planning
The President has successfully completed urban planning projects including the following:
Redevelopment Guidelines for Old Towne - Orange, CA
Design Guidelines for Affordable Housing – Riverside, CA
Initial Conceptual Master Plan – Chino Hills, CA
General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, and Master Plan for Concordia University, Irvine, CA
What does this mean for you? By successfully completing entitlements in one of the most difficult environments in the country (California), we can judge the potential difficulties of project approvals in any jurisdiction.
Churchmanship
The President has served in leadership positions in one of the largest LCMS congregations in the country, including Youth Counselor, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee, President, and Chairman of the Congregation.
The CIO helped start a new mission congregation, serving as their President and the author of their Business Plan. This plan enabled ten church families to purchase an existing industrial building, subdivide it to provide both church space and income-generating rental space.
What does this mean for you? We understand the governance and political realities of getting work accomplished in and through the church.
Relationships
Professional
Tax and Legal Counsel re Non-Profit doing For-Profit activities
Both principals have spent extensive time with leading national experts in tax and legal matters when non-profit organizations seek to engage in real estate development.
Design and Planning
The President has served on the Architectural Advisory Committee for Lutheran Church Extension Fund since 1980, advising congregations and the LCMS on standards of practice in architectural design and construction processes. Composed of more than 25 leading architects from each region of the country, this group provides a knowledgeable representative to assist SDG with local design and planning expertise in any of these regions.
Real Estate
SDG has direct and personal connection into a national network of real estate brokers, allowing us to identify and engage local independent agents for all real estate transactions.
Lenders and Investors
The CIO has extensive experience in the identification and acquisition of appropriate lenders and/or investors for projects. This includes both secular and para-church lenders, along with investors ranging from Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT’s) to individuals. SDG brings this network of financial participants to bear on each project.
Team Builders
The principals of SDG have a long and successful history of assembling the best professional teams for their projects. Gathering the right people assures project completion within time and budget constraints while best meeting the needs of both the client and the marketplace.
What does this mean for you? When you engage the services of SDG, you also benefit from those we work with and our relationship with them. The collected learning of the SDG team represents expertise in every aspect of real estate development services, gathered to serve you.
Church
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS)
We have successfully presented projects and organizational plans to the Presidents, Boards of Directors, and Synodical Departments of the LCMS and LCEF. We have working relationships with several directors of Synodical departments and LCEF divisions.
Congregations
Both principals of SDG have served as strategic ministry planning facilitators in more than 125 LCMS congregations, providing relationships with the clergy, staff, and laity of these organizations.
Recognized Service and Para-Church Organizations
We have served the Boards of several LCMS-related organizations as strategic and business planning facilitators, giving us a unique understanding of non-profit entities and those that serve in them.
What does this mean for you? We understand the relationships within the church and how they interact with one another. SDG can accomplish its service to you within the context of these relationships.
Conclusion
We believe God has gathered this collected learning within SDG and our team to add value and improve the stewardship of real estate activities so that Great Commission ministry and the growth of the church can be accomplished, to His glory.
For a FREE consultation, please contact:
Soli Deo Gloria Group
A Faith Based Corporation
7700 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 800
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 858-1166 (voice)
(949) 858-1143 (fax)