I am so excited about my new role as Middle School Pastor at Fairhaven Church. This is not "just a next step for me." This is pretty much my dream job! I love sharing Jesus with middle school students. Being a Middle School Pastor frees me up to do just that. It is a great honor and privilege to be Middle School Pastor. I am thankful to God for bringing me here. I am also thankful to Kevin for inviting me into serving in this ministry, mentoring me, and then "passing the torch to me."
What's even better than being a Middle School Pastor is being in that role at Fairhaven Church. It's not even the size of the church, or the other people on staff that make us all more effective (web, printing, video, etc.), or that our church is doing well financially, or that it is somewhat prestigious to be on staff here, or that the building is getting bigger. What makes Fairhaven Church such an awesome place to serve God is the people and the atmosphere they create. I am free to be myself and to try to be creative and that is so important to me. I am being stretched and having a blast! I feel loved and encouraged by the staff and people at this church. I just simply "fit" here. I am thankful that God has brought me here. It is my hope that everyone who comes through the doors would feel the same way. I look forward to seeing what God is going to do in the lives of people in days ahead! He is definitely working!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
the "cost" of children
Here is a recent article from www.yahoo.com about the monetary cost of raising children:
Middle-income family spends $221,000 to raise baby
By BETSY TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer Betsy Taylor, Associated Press Writer – Tue Aug 4, 4:50 pm ET
ST. LOUIS – It's no secret that raising children can be expensive, but how about nearly a quarter of a million dollars expensive?
A government report released Tuesday says a middle-income family with a child born last year will spend about $221,000 raising that child through age 17.
The report by the USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion identified housing as the largest single expense, followed by food and child care/education costs. The $221,000 in expenses rises to about $292,000 when adjusted for inflation.
USDA economist Mark Lino, who co-authored the report with Andrea Carlson, often hears people say children cost a lot when the annual findings are issued.
"I tell them children also have many benefits, so you have to keep that in mind," he said.
Families with more income spend more money on child-related costs, the report said. A two-parent family that earns less than $57,000 annually will spend about $160,000 on a child from birth through high school. Those with an income between $57,000 and $99,000 spend about $221,000 and those with higher incomes are expected to spend roughly $367,000 through age 17.
Most single-parent households in the U.S. make less than $57,000 and are expected to spend about 7 percent less on child-rearing costs compared to two-parent households in that same income group, according to the report.
Costs of raising a child are highest in the urban northeast and lowest in the urban south and rural areas.
The USDA report helps courts and states determine child-support guidelines and foster care payments. It does not address costs specifically related to childbearing and paying for college.
One of the largest changes over time has been the increase in costs related to care for young children.
The report was first issued in 1960, when such costs were largely negligible, but with more working families turning to outside help with child care, it has grown to be a significant expense for many families. The report does not give total costs related to early child care.
A mother of three, Raben Andrews of St. Louis, said the government figures sounded right to her. "Well, that's not half of it," joked the 42-year-old public school teacher. "I still have to put the little buggers through college."
While the financial costs of children may be a discouragement to some: The Bible says some very positive things about children. A book that I have read and recommend is Precious In His Sight:Childhood and Children in the Bible by Roy B. Zuck. No one has a bigger heart for the young than God himself. In a world that often sees children as a burden instead of a blessing God still calls us to love, cherish, protect, and teach the young.
A couple of verses to check out: Psalm 127:3-5
Matthew 19:14 (also seen in Mark 10:14 & Luke 18:16)
Middle-income family spends $221,000 to raise baby
By BETSY TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer Betsy Taylor, Associated Press Writer – Tue Aug 4, 4:50 pm ET
ST. LOUIS – It's no secret that raising children can be expensive, but how about nearly a quarter of a million dollars expensive?
A government report released Tuesday says a middle-income family with a child born last year will spend about $221,000 raising that child through age 17.
The report by the USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion identified housing as the largest single expense, followed by food and child care/education costs. The $221,000 in expenses rises to about $292,000 when adjusted for inflation.
USDA economist Mark Lino, who co-authored the report with Andrea Carlson, often hears people say children cost a lot when the annual findings are issued.
"I tell them children also have many benefits, so you have to keep that in mind," he said.
Families with more income spend more money on child-related costs, the report said. A two-parent family that earns less than $57,000 annually will spend about $160,000 on a child from birth through high school. Those with an income between $57,000 and $99,000 spend about $221,000 and those with higher incomes are expected to spend roughly $367,000 through age 17.
Most single-parent households in the U.S. make less than $57,000 and are expected to spend about 7 percent less on child-rearing costs compared to two-parent households in that same income group, according to the report.
Costs of raising a child are highest in the urban northeast and lowest in the urban south and rural areas.
The USDA report helps courts and states determine child-support guidelines and foster care payments. It does not address costs specifically related to childbearing and paying for college.
One of the largest changes over time has been the increase in costs related to care for young children.
The report was first issued in 1960, when such costs were largely negligible, but with more working families turning to outside help with child care, it has grown to be a significant expense for many families. The report does not give total costs related to early child care.
A mother of three, Raben Andrews of St. Louis, said the government figures sounded right to her. "Well, that's not half of it," joked the 42-year-old public school teacher. "I still have to put the little buggers through college."
While the financial costs of children may be a discouragement to some: The Bible says some very positive things about children. A book that I have read and recommend is Precious In His Sight:Childhood and Children in the Bible by Roy B. Zuck. No one has a bigger heart for the young than God himself. In a world that often sees children as a burden instead of a blessing God still calls us to love, cherish, protect, and teach the young.
A couple of verses to check out: Psalm 127:3-5
Matthew 19:14 (also seen in Mark 10:14 & Luke 18:16)
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