WASHINGTON, D.C. (BP) — A bipartisan bill may give ministers who decided long ago to opt out of Social Security benefits the chance to change their minds.

The Clergy Act, submitted by Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), would allow for a period in which clergy may revoke their exemption from Social Security coverage. Another version of the bill has been reintroduced by Reps. Vince Fong (R-CA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) in the House.

A dual tax status accompanies one who becomes a minister – as an employee for federal income taxes and self-employed for Social Security tax purposes. The decision to opt out of Social Security must be made within the first two years one has ministerial earnings of more than $400 a year.

Opting out results in more take-home for the minister but sacrifices a large portion of anticipated retirement income. It may also affect eligibility for standard-priced Medicare as well as Social Security disability benefits should he become disabled before retirement age. Potential survivor benefits from Social Security may also be denied to a minister’s wife and children.

GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention is prepared to provide guidance to ministers should the Clergy Act become law, said GuideStone President and CEO Hance Dilbeck.

“Social Security complements the retirement benefits GuideStone provides to pastors and other ministers. So many pastors made the short-term decision to opt out of Social Security without understanding the long-term implications of that decision. GuideStone is grateful that bipartisan members of the U.S. Congress have re-introduced the Clergy Act,” he said.

“We believe that the opportunity created by this legislation is an important element of financial resilience for those we serve,” Dilbeck added, noting that GuideStone has sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging prioritization of the bill.

“[The law would] assist those who have dedicated their lives to kingdom work to finish well,” he said.

Per standard Social Security requirements, applicants will need to pay in for approximately 10 years before becoming eligible for benefits. A plan of notifying those who qualify will be submitted by the commissioner of Internal Revenue no later than 90 days after the bill becomes law.

In the Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, ministers received a two-year window to re-enroll into Social Security. Fong and Thompson’s bill would provide a window until April 15, 2030.

GuideStone Vice President and Chief Experience Officer Christy Teeter said the bill would help bolster ministers’ later years financially.

“We are hopeful that the opt-in window created by the Clergy Act will help pastors not currently covered by Social Security to move closer to a complete retirement package and the enhanced financial security it provides as they move into that season of post-vocational ministry,” she said. “Should the Clergy Act become law, GuideStone will work to assist pastors who have opted out of Social Security to inform them of the steps and deadlines they may have to opt back in.”

Matt Queen — Photo by The Baptist Paper

Former seminary professor Matt Queen has been sentenced to one year of probation, six months of house arrest and a $2,000 fine after being convicted of lying to federal investigators during an investigation into sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention.

The investigation into the SBC included Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s handling of a report of alleged sexual assault by a student.

Queen pled guilty this past October to making false statements to federal investigators. He initially pled innocent to a charge of obstructing justice in the sexual abuse case involving an accused student. [Read more…]

Jeff Iorg

NASHVILLE (BP) — In a landmark address to SBC Executive Committee members, SBC EC President Jeff Iorg outlined plans for continued sexual abuse prevention and response, presented findings from the SBC’s sexual abuse hotline that clarify the incidence of abuse in Southern Baptist churches and shared steps for responding to calls for greater financial clarity from SBC entities.

His comments came Monday evening in the Executive Committee’s first plenary session of its February meeting at the Hilton BNA Nashville Airport and 11 months after Iorg was elected to the role in a special-called meeting.

Iorg told trustees he intended to address three issues of “general interest” for Southern Baptists. [Read more…]

NASHVILLE (BP) — Southern Baptists wishing to provide direct input on issues addressed by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission may do so over the next six months through a survey released by the entity.

“The ERLC exists to serve pastors and churches as a voice in the public square on issues important to Southern Baptists. We are excited about the opportunities before us with the Trump administration and a new Congress and want to amplify the voice of our churches before lawmakers and throughout our culture,” said Dan Darling, the church engagement strategist and a research fellow for the ERLC.

A flurry of executive orders signed by President Donald Trump dealing with sexual identity, abortion, men competing in women’s sports, immigration and more has necessitated the call for help to focus on key issues. [Read more…]

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump issued an executive order Tuesday, Jan. 28, stating that “the United States … will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another. …”

The order, called “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” seeks to strip federal funding from medical institutions that provide so-called “gender affirming care” to those 18 and younger. Such treatment typically involves puberty blockers, hormones and even surgical procedures that alter or remove body parts.

“Countless children soon regret that they have been mutilated and begin to grasp the horrifying tragedy that they will never be able to conceive children of their own or nurture their children through breastfeeding,” the order says. “Moreover, these vulnerable youths’ medical bills may rise throughout their lifetimes, as they are often trapped with lifelong medical complications, a losing war with their own bodies, and, tragically, sterilization.” [Read more…]

FORT WORTH – The loss of a rule that prevented officials from entering churches to arrest immigrants accused of being in the U.S. illegally has hurt the Church’s witness, the National Hispanic Baptist Network (NHBN) said Jan. 29 in calling for the rule’s reinstatement.

The NHBN, a group representing more than 3,300 Southern Baptist churches, released its statement in Spanish and English nine days after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) overturned a 14-year-old rule that had prevented such arrests at and near sensitive locations including churches and schools.

Attendance at Hispanic congregations has already declined since the DHS revoked the protections Jan. 20, NHBN Executive Director Bruno Molina said in releasing the statement to Baptist Press. [Read more…]