Singleness and the poor economy

This strike closer to home as Oliver is soon to graduate college and shortly after that Margaret too.

Don't do the Math - have kids and trust Jesus

Want to give some money?

This is from my enrolled Tax agent's newsletter she sends out quarterly. If you need a charity to donate to I know a church plant in Charlotte that is in need! A great incentive to avoid taxes and advance the Kingdom at the same time!

CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS FROM IRA'S - Extended through December 31, 2009

For the past two years an IRA owner, age 70 1/2 or over has been allowed to directly transfer, tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to an eligible charity.

Trustee to Charity Transfer Required:

To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to the charity. Amounts so transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the donation to charity.

Transfers Are Part of Required Minimum Distribution:

Transferred amounts are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA's required minimum distribution rules (RMD). Since the RMD's have been waived for 2009, you may think there is no point in taking advantage of this tax break.

However, there may be other reasons to withdraw from an IRA account this year:

* You may need the money and still want to keep up with the regular charitable donations. Donating the IRA would free up other funds set aside for charity.

* You may want to lower the taxable portion of your portfolio for your heirs. Since the IRA produces income in respect of a decedent at the death of the account owner, leaving stock and other property, rather than the IRA, may result in less tax to the beneficiary.

* You may want to get rid of IRA's that are not doing well.

Taxpayers who don't itemize deductions get full benefit of the contribution, since the IRA withdrawal will not be included in taxable income. Of course, they still get to take the full standard deduction.

Since the IRA distribution made to a charity is not included in the taxpayer's taxable income, the many phase outs related to adjusted gross income are minimized. For example, the taxpayer be able to avoid:

* A phase-out of itemized deductions,

* A 50% charitable contribution base limitation, or

* An increase in the amount of social security benefits that are taxable.

Interesting Survey about Tithing & a Rap!

What if You Required Members to Tithe?

Studies show that pastors struggle with tithing and giving issues with their congregation more often than just about any other subject. Some pastors won't even preach on money or tithing, because it causes too much commotion or they just feel that ministry shouldn't focus on the topic. Most pastors do not require their church membership to tithe in order to remain a member in good standing. However, most pastors would agree (and current statistics prove) that too few of their church members tithe. But it wouldn't be surprising if a moderate percentage of pastors had at least considered requiring the tithe as a provision of membership, particularly in today's economic climate, and even if they are just dreaming.

But it seems that the idea of requiring a tithe might backfire on today's churches. In a recent survey, active American Christian church members were asked, "Suppose your church made a new requirement for church membership: members must give ten percent of their after-tax income to the church or other good causes. Those giving less than ten percent could still attend church, but would not be considered members in good standing. How would you most likely respond to this requirement?" The results showed that 51% of American Christians would either drop out of church or move to a different church if required to tithe. Only 7% said they would just start giving ten percent. 16% said they already give ten percent of their income. 25% would continue to attend, but they would give less than ten percent. 35% said they would move to a church that doesn't have this requirement, and 16% said they would drop out of church life altogether.

From Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don't Give Away More Money by Smith, Emerson & Snell, Oxford Univ. Press, 2008.

Also on the same subject but so much funnier - a "rap" about Tithing!

The Faucet has OPENED!

Today I found out from MNA (the Church Planting arm of our denmination, Mission to North America) that I have my first supporter! MNA does the bookkeeping for free and allows people to give and get receipts for tax deductions! 

Many folks have said they would support us in the grand adventure of starting a church from scratch in Charlotte, but now someone actually signed up with a pledge and $. It is very encouraging.

Last night I met with two dear couples that both said they would invest in this gospel adventure with us. Tonight I met with a session (board of elders) of a small church that has ministered to my family during this transition, they are considering allowing us to be one of their church planting missionaries!

Pray with and for us please.

If you would like to invest, I would love to talk with you or if you wish you can read how to support us by going to the church plant website.

Next week I meet with the national MNA committee in Atlanta. They want to hear about this church plant, my story of church planting and why I would consider doing it again. Evidently there are very few that plant a second church after pastoring one for 15 years like I have. You already knew I was strange! So, now they will know too! They also will officially endorse me. I don't know if I will get a badge or what. At least a free meal that I drive 6 hours to eat! Hopefully, I will be able to meet with other churches in Georgia that might be able to help. There is a common theme here - pray.

But let me tell you about some answers to prayer - we had our first gathering of interested folks considering being a part of the core group. Some were so eager that they joined up on our first meeting - my family (YEA - aren't you glad, I know of some pastor's families that are not supportive - I am blessed.), My Asst. Pastor's family and a young family with a 2 week old little girl. So we will have a baptism soon!

Our next meeting will be Sept. 14th and soon after, we will start evangelistic Bible Studies in the Steele Creek area.

So in many ways the faucet has opened! Pray for a flood!