- Journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention since 1877 December 18, 2025

Saint Nicholas, compassion and the persecuted church

Saint Nicholas, compassion and the persecuted church

December 18, 2025

By The Baptist Paper When people think of Santa Claus, they often think of the jolly old fat guy with rosy cheeks and the red…

IN THE MARGINS: Pa-Rum-Pa-Pum-Pum

IN THE MARGINS: Pa-Rum-Pa-Pum-Pum

December 16, 2025

FIRST-PERSON: The best day of the semester

Robert Hyde (left) and NOBTS Provost Norris Grubbs pose following Hyde's graduation from the doctor of ministry program Dec. 12. (Photo credit: NOBTS)

FIRST-PERSON: The best day of the semester

December 16, 2025

Explore the Bible: December 21

Explore the Bible: December 21

December 16, 2025

Bible Studies for Life: December 21

Bible Studies for Life: December 21

December 16, 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.