“I am conscientiously opposed to, or because of my religious principles I am opposed to, the acceptance (for services I perform as a minister…) of any public insurance that makes payments in the event of death, disability, old age or retirement; or that makes payments toward the cost of, or provides services for, medical care. Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this application and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true and correct.” Affix your signature to this, the key part of IRS Form 4361, Application for Exemption From Self-Employment Tax for Use By … [Read more...] about The siren song of opting out of Social Security
Assorted items from the 2016 Annual Meeting
Sorry I missed sweltering St. Louis but I have enjoyed reading some reports from the brethren, especially the one from the first time attendee. Here are a few items of lesser note that I thought interesting: Ah, those spontaneous and deliberate motions from the floor: A motion by Andy Perryman of First Baptist Church, Washington, Ga., to amend the SBC constitution to make intentional cooperation with a state convention and a local association criteria by which a church is deemed to be in friendly cooperation with the SBC. This was referred to the Executive Committee … [Read more...] about Assorted items from the 2016 Annual Meeting
Great Commission Giving: The metric that can’t get any respect.
One would think that giving by SBC churches to the Cooperative Program, Lottie Moon offering, Annie Armstrong offering, state mission offering, associational offering, their local association, state convention, mission boards, seminaries, children's homes, Baptist colleges, ministries for the aging, hospitals, recovery programs, disaster relief programs, direct partnership projects with our International and North American Mission Boards, and a range of other Southern Baptist national, state convention, or associational causes would be something to be praised and commended. We would all … [Read more...] about Great Commission Giving: The metric that can’t get any respect.
Hearty congratulations to Dave Miller and the collaborative 2017PC group
Someone ought to note that this is no small thing - an upstart group of no-names proposing a different approach to a major SBC event, putting forth a candidate, and winning an election. And all that being done in a positive manner and without rancor. The usual way we do things is for a group to get mad about something, spit fire about it, complain incessantly, and try and get a majority vote. That doesn't usually work but the 2017PC brain trust made this one work. Congratulations and very good work. It has always struck me that the attitude of large/megachurch pastors and leadership has … [Read more...] about Hearty congratulations to Dave Miller and the collaborative 2017PC group
Three more votes and Gaines wins #SBC16 Presidential Election
"On the second ballot, Steve Gaines received 2,410 votes (49.96 percent) and J.D. Greear received 2,306 (47.80 percent). Some 108 illegal ballots were disallowed and prevented either candidate from receiving a majority." The way I calculate it three more votes for Gaines and he wins. Never seen this before...although there are always some goofballs who can't get a ballot right. I bet three Trads were gabbing in the bookstore and blew the election (but they would have had to drag a likeminded friend in to the hall to vote making four to get the majority). For the record: here is the … [Read more...] about Three more votes and Gaines wins #SBC16 Presidential Election
Crosby, Gaines, or Greear #SBC16 Presidential Ballots
Clearly, we have the most interesting, and contested, race for the SBC presidency in quite some time. While I think J. D. Greear is the clear best choice, he will not get my vote. I'm 597 miles away and I hear you have to be physically present in the convention hall to cast a ballot. Any of the three would be fine and do well. We have some challenges and although the SBC president isn't necessarily someone who can do a lot about it, it is important for the symbolic leader of our denomination to be a good representative of the best among us. Which of the three might offer the most? Tough to … [Read more...] about Crosby, Gaines, or Greear #SBC16 Presidential Ballots
Before we get sidetracked, let’s celebrate Lottie Moon’s big year
Our International Mission Board is reporting a spectacular increase in the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions. The total for the 2015 offering is $165.8 million, an increase of $12.8 million over last year. Here are the Lottie Moon totals for this century: Lottie Moon Offering Year Received 2000 113.2 2001 113.7 2002 115.0 2003 136.2 2004 133.9 2005 137.9 2006 150.2 2007 150.4 2008 150.4 2009 … [Read more...] about Before we get sidetracked, let’s celebrate Lottie Moon’s big year
State conventions should add value, not guilt, to churches
...the value of a state convention will not be determined by the size of its staff, its building, its budget, or its programming. Value will be determined by one metric alone—investment in the local church. When we bring value to the church, we bring glory to God. The quote above is not mine, although I have made many such statements over the past decade or so. These words are from the chief executive of one of our largest state conventions - Tommy Green, Executive Director-Treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention. There have been times when it has seemed to me that the only tool in the … [Read more...] about State conventions should add value, not guilt, to churches
Spectacular Lottie Moon increase; modest but encouraging Cooperative Program increase
The benchmark for the general financial health of the Southern Baptist Convention has always been Cooperative Program giving. It is certainly the measure of state convention financial health, not so much for the mission boards and seminaries. Regardless, the recent SBC Executive Committee report of giving through May, 2016, two-thirds of their fiscal year, shows a notable CP increase and indicates a spectacular Lottie Moon Offering increase. CP 6.13% ahead of budget projection As of May 31, gifts received by the Executive Committee for distribution through the Cooperative Program … [Read more...] about Spectacular Lottie Moon increase; modest but encouraging Cooperative Program increase
This election doesn’t need to be about Calvinism…and I hope it isn’t.
There are more important subjects to discuss. Seems to me that the discussion would flow to mission support methodologies for the 21st century. We are all in favor of spiritual renewal. All the candidates were asked about Calvinism by B21. Here is what they said. Crosby gave a short answer so his is complete below. Gaines and Greear gave longer answers, so I have excerpted theirs. Click to see the whole interview. J. D. Greear: I am pretty confident that if you asked the average person at the Summit whether we were “Calvinist” or “non-Calvinist,” they wouldn’t know what to tell you. I … [Read more...] about This election doesn’t need to be about Calvinism…and I hope it isn’t.