• Pew Research Center for the People & the Press shows that 57% of Americans are Optimistic About '07
• Americans remain fairly gloomy about the way things are going in the United States
  • 28% are satisfied with current national conditions, while 65% are dissatisfied
  • six-in-ten people (57%) say 2007 will be better.
• 62% of those that attend church on a weekly basis believe that next year will be better while 23% of them do not.
• 56% of those that attend church monthly or less believe 2007 will be better compared to 30% that don’t.
• 52% of those that attend seldom or never believe next year will be better.

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Data from the 2007 Compensation Handbook for Church Staff, a publication of Christianity Today International, reveals that churches with more than 1,000 in worship attendance offer higher compensation than churches with 300 or fewer in worship attendance for the same job titles.

• Senior Pastor:
  • 300 or fewer, $64,266
  • Over 1000, $111,052
• Associate Pastor:
  • 300 or fewer, $44,741
  • Over 1000, $71,000
• In Changing Titles:
• Solo Pastor to Senior Pastor, 31%
• Bookkeeper to Administrator, 45%
• Associate Pastor to Senior Pastor, 35%
• Youth Pastor to Associate Pastor, 29%
  

Look around at your neighbors, co-workers, family, friends, acquaintances, or others you encounter who don't go to church—these next two weeks provide a great opportunity to reach out to them.  More than four out of ten Americans (41%) are likely to be receptive to an invitation during the Christmas season.

The Center for Missional Research commissioned Zogby International to ask people about their receptivity to  an invitation to church over the Holidays. The study also showed that 42% of the people surveyed would be very or somewhat likely to attend church more frequently in 2007 as a result of their New Year's resolutions.