- Journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention since 1877 September 25, 2025

IN THE MARGINS: Forgiving the unforgivable

IN THE MARGINS: Forgiving the unforgivable

September 25, 2025

By Tony MartinEditor This week I watched a widow stand in front of a grieving nation and say three words that stunned the room: “I…

WRAP-UP: SBC Executive Committee takes up messenger motions

The SBC Executive Committee met Sept. 22-23 at the BNA Hilton in Nashville. (Photo credit: Brandon Porter)

WRAP-UP: SBC Executive Committee takes up messenger motions

September 24, 2025

Representative of ‘Manhood Journey’ inspires churches to encourage, equip fathers

The Mississippi Baptist Convention Board’s 2025 Equipping Leaders conference was held at Brandon Church, Brandon, Aug. 22-23. (Photo credit: Bart Lambright)

Representative of ‘Manhood Journey’ inspires churches to encourage, equip fathers

September 23, 2025

Explore the Bible: September 28

Explore the Bible: September 28

September 23, 2025

Bible Studies for Life: September 28

Bible Studies for Life: September 28

September 23, 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.