Posts published in “SBC”

Apology to former pastor brings restoration to hurting church

Apology to former pastor brings restoration to hurting church

March 24, 2025

By J. Gerald HarrisThe Christian Index FAIRBURN, Ga. — Tom Rush, the ‘indefinite’ pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, recently led the congregation in a process…

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief responds to weekend storms

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief workers prepare meals to aid those responding to and affected by wildfires. (Photo credit: Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief Facebook)

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief responds to weekend storms

March 17, 2025

Iorg: ‘Ministry is difficult, but it’s not complicated’

(Photo credit: Adam Covington/Baptist Press)

Iorg: ‘Ministry is difficult, but it’s not complicated’

March 14, 2025

IVF regulations a ‘wild, wild west’ despite Trump executive order

IVF regulations a ‘wild, wild west’ despite Trump executive order

March 4, 2025

Retired Mississippi missionary couple share tips for life on mission

Tom and Gloria Thurman retired from the International Mission Board in 1999. Now, they help raise up the next generation of missionaries. (Photo credit: IMB)

Retired Mississippi missionary couple share tips for life on mission

February 28, 2025

Clergy Act advances from House
Ways and Means Committee
DALLAS – On Dec. 10 the House Ways and Means Committee advanced the Clergy Act, H.R. 227, in a bipartisan, unanimous vote. The Clergy Act would provide ministers who opted out of Social Security a one-time window to opt back in. The bipartisan legislation was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by California Congressmen Vince Fong and Mike Thompson, and has gained the support of several co-sponsors. The legislation is supported by GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention and other leaders from a wide variety of large and historic denominational benefit boards. In a news release issued by Rep. Fong’s office, GuideStone President Hance Dilbeck expressed gratitude to Fong for his leadership. The Clergy Act would create a two-year window beginning in 2029 that would allow eligible ministers who have opted out of Social Security to revoke their exemption and begin contributing. Ministers must still meet the standard 10-year contribution requirement to earn full retired-worker benefits, receiving benefits proportional to their contributions.