Some say yes. You can easily find that assertion elsewhere. I don't judge our second largest entity, the North American Mission Board, nor their leadership to be perfect but have come to regard their work as effective and worthy of the support of SBC churches, pastors, and laypeople. It wasn't all that long ago that the SBC so motivated the institution through the Great Commission Task Force and Report to take control of their budget and be more effective in North American missions. My lay understanding of processes and actions is informed by several years of observations and … [Read more...] about Is NAMB being too heavyhanded with State Conventions?
Southwestern Seminary cuts 10% of their full time positions
Baptist Press so reports: SWBTS cuts staff due to health care, utility costs After making "low-hanging fruit adjustments" that included reductions in dining services, copy center hours and the fleet of vehicles at the 200-acre campus, Patrick said the administration decided not to fill positions from natural attrition, including student employees who are graduating and staff and faculty set to retire. In order to continue providing health care benefits to employees and their dependents, a third round of cuts involved laying off 30 fulltime staff "in selected areas where functions can be … [Read more...] about Southwestern Seminary cuts 10% of their full time positions
Tax bill would allow churches to endorse candidates?
That's what is being reported by numerous sources - here, here, here. Excerpt from WaPo: The Republicans’ bill would make it legal for ministers and other religious leaders to endorse candidates from the pulpit but stops short of allowing other political participation such as financial contributions from churches to campaigns. The bill stipulates that a religious institution wouldn’t be found to have violated the law “solely because of the content of any homily, sermon, teaching, dialectic, or other presentation made during religious services or gatherings.” That’s the protection that … [Read more...] about Tax bill would allow churches to endorse candidates?
How much money does your church have in the bank? Today.
Suppose, beloved pastor, you wanted to know how much money your church had on hand today. How would you find out? You could ask the financial secretary and she would give you a number but how do you know this is accurate? (Hint: You don't). You could find the latest financial report given to the church but this might not be current and, besides, the figure might not be correct. You could call the bank if you are an authorized church person and they would tell you. While this would answer the question, you might not on the bank's list of approved persons to whom they may release … [Read more...] about How much money does your church have in the bank? Today.
A bit of the Lost Cause and monuments
In sorting out some of my material I ran across a folder with the April 26, 1912, local paper, The Athens Banner. The Titanic had just sunk. My parents had not been born. The last member of my family who served in the Civil War had died three years earlier and numerous other CSA veterans had died a decade or two earlier. Almost all of these veterans' children and grandchildren were alive, including my two grandfathers. Their grandparents (and in one case, a parent) were the CSA veterans. The issue of the Banner was a special Confederate Memorial Day edition which contained a number of articles … [Read more...] about A bit of the Lost Cause and monuments
Pent up irascibility
Doesn't take much to stir me up these days. Consider these. Who will be the first brave pastor who bans service dogs from his church service? I see these dogs around and read about them being everywhere - airplanes, businesses, schools - you name it. Now, I'm seeing one at church for worship. The cute mutt isn't a problem so far as I know, and I'm sympathetic to the human handler. I don't know if the dog is in training or is for the emotional well being of the handler. I do know that I really don't care to worship with dogs. Perhaps someone will enlighten me. There are people who have pet … [Read more...] about Pent up irascibility
Record Annie Armstrong offering
So the NAMB announcement was reported by SBC This Week. NAMB President Kevin Ezell announced today that this year's AAEO was the highest on record at a whopping $59.6 million. This total eclipses the previous record of $59,463,281 given in 2007 as well as the 2016 amount of $58,860,553. This is one thing happening around the SBC. I would have predicted a slight decline. All SBC entities have their critics but this offering is a measure of support for NAMB's work. Glad to see it. _____ (not to distract from other topics here) … [Read more...] about Record Annie Armstrong offering
Will (should) tax reform reform the clergy housing allowance?
Guarranteed to stir the clergy masses into paroxisms of righteous indignation would be if congress, as a part of a comprehensive tax reform, attempted to make changes to our Sacred Clergy Tax Break, the minister's housing allowance. It's a little early to speculate but, as pundits are want to do, there is speculation afoot: Tax Breaks Could Kill Tax Reform There are special tax breaks for ministers and veterans and life insurance companies and blind people and gamblers. If you're robbed or you have huge medical bills or you're in a shipwreck or you ride your bike to work, you get a tax … [Read more...] about Will (should) tax reform reform the clergy housing allowance?
Simple evaluation of the ruling that the housing allowance is unconstitutional
There are others who know more. I'll link their stuff as I see it. Basic facts: The Freedom From Religion Foundation is suing over this question: The question in this case is whether Congress may give a subset of religious employees an income tax exemption for which no one else qualifies. At issue is the constitutionality of 26 U.S.C. § 107(2), which excludes from the gross income of a “minister of the gospel” a “rental allowance paid to him as part of his compensation.” The suit is aimed at the "cash" housing allowance. That is, those who receive part of their paycheck designated as … [Read more...] about Simple evaluation of the ruling that the housing allowance is unconstitutional
Housing allowance struck down by federal judge, again
This was expected. Same court. Same judge. Too late for me to slog through the decision tonight. I'll let some GuideStone and ERLC people on the payroll do that. ...and have a nice weekend. … [Read more...] about Housing allowance struck down by federal judge, again