The most important federal reporting obligation for most churches is withholding and reporting employee income taxes and Social Security (FICA) taxes. A number of unique rules apply to churches and “ministers for tax purposes.” Yet many churches do not comply…
Gentle warrior
Earl Scott claimed that he was “no hero.” As proof, he cited that he won no medals. But he did have war stories. He liked to tell about his “window on the Battle of the Bulge.” It was a pilot's…
SECOND OPINION: Dear Michelle
Dear Michelle: I'm probably supposed to call you something more important now that you'll soon be our country's first lady, but I'm not sure what I should call you exactly, and, anyway, we're not much for titles around here. I…
N.C. Baptists nix plan to forward CBF gifts
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — North Carolina Baptist churches soon won't be able to support the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship through the state convention, messengers decided at their annual meeting Nov. 12. The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina voted to kill…
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for Dec. 4, 2008
CHURCH NEWS • New Bridge Church, Sandston, broke ground for an addition to its fellowship hall on Nov. 23. The addition will include a music suite, prayer room, additional space for meetings and classrooms. When the project was proposed, an…
Leading the black church: Can it be a woman’s place?
CLEVELAND (RNS) — Imelda Ellison sits quietly in her pew as, one by one, dressed all in white, the members of the Emmanuel Women of Worship come down the center aisle. Their heads held high, 15 women step and sway,…
Obama narrows — but doesn’t close — the electoral ‘God gap’
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Analysis of exit polls dissecting Barack Obama's historic presidential victory indicates the “God gap” dividing American politics remains in place, but Obama fashioned a victory by significantly narrowing it nearly everywhere — among those who worship frequently…
Oklahoma elects first Native American president
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. (BP) — Emerson Falls, pastor of Glorieta Baptist Church in Oklahoma City and a member of the Sac and Fox and Choctaw tribes, was elected as the first Native American president of the Baptist General Convention of…
American Baptist agency faces shortfall
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (ABP) — The board of American Baptists' National Ministries met Nov. 12-13 to consider cuts to cover a $1 million gap between the organization's income and expenses. According to American Baptist News Service, National Ministries Executive…