JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — It's time to “Unplug the Christmas machine,” states a book with the same title by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli. And members of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., are challenged to do just…
Seminars to focus on tax planning
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…
Texas Baptists defer name change proposal
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Texas elevated to its highest office the son of a former president, deferred action on a proposed name change and approved a reduced budget for 2009 at its most sparsely…
Pastors Conference celebrates the Lord’s undergirding
The annual pastors conference of the Baptist General Association of Virginia met on Nov. 10 at North Roanoke Baptist Church in Roanoke, the day prior to the BGAV annual meeting. Pastors conference president Mark Croston presided and introduced speakers, who…
Missouri Baptists again elect ‘SOC’ slate
ST. LOUIS (ABP) — Messengers to the Missouri Baptist Convention annual meeting Oct. 27-29 once again elected officers sympathetic to a reform movement within the state convention, while hearing a report about the difficult work of an ad hoc “peace…
SBCV welcomes new executive director
ROANOKE (BP) — The 12th annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia Nov. 10-11 drew 950 messengers and 250 guests to First Baptist Church in Roanoke, where messengers adopted a $9.5 million budget, welcomed 25 new churches, celebrated…
Ga. Baptists reject church with woman pastor
JONESBORO, Ga. (ABP) — The Georgia Baptist Convention has decided to refuse gifts from a historic member church that last year called a woman as pastor. Messengers to the Nov. 9-11 annual meeting approved a policy change authorizing convention leaders…
Fair trade fights poverty
A Cambodian woman makes a bag sold by Trade as One in Good News Goods markets, as well as online. (PHOTOS courtesy of Trade as One) DALLAS (ABP) — Any so-called gospel that fails to take seriously Jesus’ proclamation of…
Have yourself a simple little Christmas
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — It’s time to “Unplug the Christmas machine,” states a book with the same title by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli. And members of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., are challenged to do…
A ‘Simple Christmas’ suggestion box
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of four Christmas-themed stories in a feature package produced by ABP and its New Voice Media partners. (ABP) — Here are some suggestions to reduce and reallocate Christmas spending habits: • Draw names instead of…
Tough economic times don’t dim lights on Living Christmas Trees
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of four Christmas-themed stories in a feature package produced by ABP and its New Voice Media partners. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (ABP) — Rather than cutting back on lavish Christmas programs this year due to the economy,…
Have yourself a simple little Christmas
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of four Christmas-themed stories in a feature package produced by ABP and its New Voice Media partners. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — It’s time to “Unplug the Christmas machine,” states a book with the same…