- Journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention since 1877 August 24, 2025

IN THE MARGINS: Absent from the body, present with the Lord

IN THE MARGINS: Absent from the body, present with the Lord

August 24, 2025

By Tony MartinEditor There are moments in life when the reality of our mortality confronts us with a force we can’t ignore. Watching someone we…

Supreme Court allows Mississippi to require age verification on social media — for now

Supreme Court, Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Supreme Court allows Mississippi to require age verification on social media — for now

August 22, 2025

Hispanic Women’s Retreat inspires godly love for family and community

(Photo credit: Lindsey Williams)

Hispanic Women’s Retreat inspires godly love for family and community

August 20, 2025

Nearly half of U.S. Christians don’t attend church; higher engagement leads to flourishing

Nearly half of U.S. Christians don’t attend church; higher engagement leads to flourishing

August 19, 2025

Explore the Bible: August 24

Explore the Bible: August 24

August 19, 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.