demographics

I found this at www.churchrelevance.com. I thought this was very interesting.

Yahoo!’s Neighborhood Profiles Search allows your church to search by zip code to obtain free demographic research about your community. Areas of research include:

•Total Population
•Median Age
•Median Household Income
•Percentage of Single Households
•Percentage of Married Households
•Percentage of Families (households with children)
•Average Household Size
•Percentage of College or Better
•Percentage of White Collars
•Cost of Living Index
•Average Yearly Utility Cost
•Average Household Total Consumer Expenditures
•Average Household Education Expenditures
•Average Household Entertainment Expenditures
•Average Household Transportation Expenditures
•Average Household Retail Expenditures
•Average Household Non-Retail Expenditures
•Total Crime Index
•Personal Crime Index
•Culture Index

Additional Resources: Neighboroo

It's been 7 months.......

Wow, what an amazing weekend! Sue Miller is absolutely incredible. Her insights are delivered with truth and passion. The FUEL conference was well worth all the effort put into it. At the end of the conference, an attendee walked up to me and said, "Thank you so much! I haven't been re-fueled for over 7 months. I am always with the children. I really needed this." I am so thankful this wonderful children's ministry volunteer took the time to sit and be served. I have no idea the percentage of children's volunteers who spend more time ministering than being ministered to, but I would guess that the number would shock us all! It's hard to find volunteers, it always has been. It's one of those things that no matter what you do, there is always a need somewhere. So, what's the answer? Children's Ministry Magazine had a couple of stats I found interesting, 40% of volunteers say they seek volunteer opportunites where they can use their workplace skills, but only 29% believe their workplace skills are what volunteer organizations need most from them. We can learn a lot from one stat, we are asking too many volunteers to serve where they don't feel they are skilled or needed. Get to know more about the people in your church before you just put them in a the places you know about. Sounds easy.....right?!?!?!?

On your mark....

There is never a dull day in children's ministry! In 4 days we kick off the 2007 FUEL children's conference with Sue Miller. She is by far one of the most passionate children's leaders EVER! I look forward to what God has in store for those who attend. I can't wait to see the look of wonder in their eyes as Sue challenges them to put the pedal to the metal to win kids for Christ. This is something I look forward to each year and feel very blessed to be challenged by everyone who I come in contact with. It's going to rock......