- Journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention since 1877 January 2, 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

I am not sure which church it was that finally led me to call this type of church “spiritless.” Was it the one that would…

IN THE MARGINS: The Gate of the Year 2024

IN THE MARGINS: The Gate of the Year 2024

December 28, 2023

Explore the Bible: December 31

December 28, 2023

Bible Studies for Life: December 31

December 28, 2023

MAGNOLIA MINDS: A Christmas not taken for granted

Wyatte Church volunteers pack Christmas bags for Mississippi inmates. (Photo credit: Jo Ann Hancock).

MAGNOLIA MINDS: A Christmas not taken for granted

December 22, 2023

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.