Posts published in “Guest Opinion”

FIRST PERSON: 10 reasons why churches get stuck, stop growing

FIRST PERSON: 10 reasons why churches get stuck, stop growing

March 5, 2024

By Chuck LawlessDean of Doctoral Studies and Vice-President of Spiritual Formation and Ministry CentersSoutheastern Seminary We often call it a “plateaued church,” and we define it as…

FIRST PERSON: Remembering God’s faithfulness and goodness as a special needs parent

Mason is all smiles at the 2023 annual NICU reunion at Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women in Memphis, Tennessee, where he spent the first 139 days of his life. (Photo credit: Lauren C. Grim/The Baptist Paper)

FIRST PERSON: Remembering God’s faithfulness and goodness as a special needs parent

January 18, 2024

FIRST PERSON: Too many churches are spiritless; here are some solutions

FIRST PERSON: Too many churches are spiritless; here are some solutions

January 2, 2024

FIRST PERSON: Christmas and spiritual warfare

FIRST PERSON: Christmas and spiritual warfare

December 15, 2023

FIRST PERSON: AI in ministry

(Photo credit: Diego Thomazini/Shutterstock.com)

FIRST PERSON: AI in ministry

November 14, 2023

GuideStone announces release
of its Ministers’ Tax Guide
GuideStone^® has released its most popular annual publication, the 2025 Ministers’ Tax Guide for 2024 Returns prepared by Richard Hammar, available now for GuideStone members. The tax guide includes tax highlights for 2024 — such as annual contribution limits and standard business mileage rates — along with step-by-step filing instructions for ministers’ personal taxes and comprehensive examples and sample forms. Additionally, GuideStone ministry partners and church administrators have access to the annual Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches.This publication is included in the full tax guide or as a separate electronic copy. GuideStone members can receive both free resources by visiting GuideStone.org or can request a free printed copy of the tax guide by calling 1-888-98-GUIDE (1-888-984-8433) (printed copies are limited). The guide was again written this year by Richard Hammar, a noted CPA, attorney and widely published author who specializes in legal and tax issues for ministers. “Ministers’ taxes have their own unique challenges and opportunities,” said GuideStone President Hance Dilbeck. “The annual tax guide is one more opportunity for us to come alongside our members to help them achieve financial resilience so they can focus on their vital Kingdom calling.”