Two Shout Outs!

I want to give 2 shout outs today!  The first goes to my friend Josh Via.  Josh and his wife Tashia and their team led us in worship on Sunday morning and did a fantastic job!  Josh and Tashia have their own ministry traveling around leading worship and we were blessed to have him lead at WCC.  If you are interested in knowing more about Josh and what he is up to visit his website at www.joshvia.com. 

I also want to give a big shout out to my friend Mark Kramer.  Mark has been at WCC for several years now and about a year ago he joined my small group.  Since then I have gotten to know Mark a whole lot better and appreciate his support and most of all his humor.  Mark you are hilarious man!  Anyway, yesterday Mark sent me some information about how Christians give or don't give back to the church.  This was prompted by my message on Sunday.  It is interesting stuff.  Check it out.

Attached is a new report issued by Barna this morning about tithing and
giving. Here are highlights:

*    In 2007, 5% of adults tithed.

    *    24% of evangelicals tithe

    *    12% of conservatives tithe

    *    12% of those who read the Bible and attended a church
service during the past week tithe

    *    11% of charismatic or Pentecostal Christians tithe

    *    10% of registered Republicans tithe

    *    Under 1% of these people tithe: "people under the age of
25, atheists and agnostics, single adults who have never been married,
liberals, and downscale adults.

    *    Among all born again adults, 9% contributed one-tenth or
more of their income.

    *    Protestants were four times as likely to tithe as were
Catholics (8% versus 2%, respectively).

*    The percentage of adults who tithe has stayed constant since
2000, falling in the 5% to 7% range. The proportion of adults who tithed
was 7% in 2006 and 2005; 5% in 2004 and 2003; 6% in 2002; and 5% in
2001.

*    In 2007, 84% of all adults donated some money to churches or
non-profit organizations. That figure has also remained consistent in
recent years.

    *    The median amount of money donated during 2007 was $400;
the mean amount was $1308.

    *    The mean sum of donations per person in 2006 was $1348.

    *    34% of all adults gave away $1000 or more during 2007.

    *    18% donated $100 or less.