Archives for February 2018
McDonald’s commits to more balanced Happy Meals by 2022
Poll: GOP gains on generic ballot, Trump approval ticks upward
Despite high ticket sales, some Olympic venues look empty
Study finds processed foods driving up cancer rates
Let the Foundation assist you in charitable giving to ministry
By Jerry Love, Director of Planned Giving Thinking of giving to ministry in 2018? Appreciated assets – Even with the volatility in early February, markets are still at all-time highs. Give stocks or mutual funds that have increased in value to benefit your church or ministry. Retirement assets – You can redirect retirement assets as part of your estate plans. These plans are taxable when distributed to individuals, but tax-free to charitable organizations. Consider leaving your church or another ministry as the beneficiary of your retirement plan, and other assets to your heirs. IRA Rollover – Those who are 70 ½ and above can distribute IRA assets directly to a church or ministry. There are other stipulations so contact the Louisiana Baptist Foundation for more information. Donor Advised Fund – Use a DAF to ‘bundle’ 2 years of deductions into one, if possible, to take advantage of itemizing your deductions. Take the standard deduction following, using the DAF to make distributions to ministry. Again, contact the Foundation for more details. The Louisiana Baptist Foundation is an agency of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and supported by the Cooperative Program. The Foundation assists people who want to give … [Read more...]
Foundation addresses lack of information, confusion or misinformation about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
By Jerry Love, Director of Planned Giving By now most people know about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by congress in the latter days of 2017. However there may still be a lack of information, confusion or misinformation that needs to be addressed. The Louisiana Baptist Foundation assists individuals with gifts that support Baptist ministry which can impact the tax picture of the donor. We attempt to stay abreast of changes in the US tax code, particularly as it relates to charitable giving. Here are some highlights: Business Tax Reform – Without going into the depths of corporate tax changes, the reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% down to 21% it is already adding to personal pocketbooks. During January several companies, including Wal Mart, announced an increase in their base wages and other salaries. Other companies such as Apple and AT&T have announced one time bonuses for employees to share their tax savings. In addition a number of corporations have announced expansion of their workforce with several announcing the return of overseas operations to US soil. All these situations can be an encouragement to workers and allow them to give to ministry for the first time or increase the amount they … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptist pastor wins Kung Fu gold medal
Randy Harper, senior pastor of Bellaire Baptist Church, Bossier City, recently returned from a trip to China as an international Kung Fu world champion. Harper, an instructor at Bellaire Wushu Academy, Bossier City, traveled with three of his students to compete in the World Kung Fu Championships in Emeishan, China. according to a recent article in the Bossier Parish-Tribune. More than 3,900 competitors from more than 70 countries participated in the event. Harper won a gold medal in the master’s division. One of his students took home a silver and bronze medal and another captured two bronze medals. … [Read more...]
Wales presents unique missions opportunities for Louisiana Baptists
By Message Staff Louisiana Baptist churches looking for a unique missions opportunity should consider partnering with a missions organization in Wales. Through a partnership with Missional Links Wales, churches have a variety of options available to share the Gospel in a country where just 60,000 out of a population of 3 million profess to be evangelical, according to Rob Burns, founder and international director of the organization. Opportunities include a one-week vision trip, one week missions trip, internships for college students and an apprenticeship for seminary graduates and other adults. Burns shared more about the options during a recent presentation at the Baptist Building in Alexandria to pastors, Louisiana Baptist Convention missions and ministry strategists and Baptist Collegiate Ministers. “We’d love to talk to any American missional oriented church who would like long term partnership in Wales and who would like to get involved in investing inside the counties and across the nation of Wales,” Burns told the Baptist Message. “In Wales, currently 2 percent or less are evangelical. But there is an openness to Americans and the American culture. The Welsh people like Americans and they love to talk to … [Read more...]
GuideStone offers single-staff churches solutions in the health care marketplace
By Roy Hayhurst, GuideStone Financial Resources DALLAS, Texas - Continued uncertainty in the health care marketplace with the repeal of the individual mandate coming in 2019 and reductions in the number of individuals served by the health care exchanges has some pastors and ministry workers wondering about health care options this year. Further, the Affordable Care Act continues to drive up costs for consumers nationwide. GuideStone recognizes that affordability is the issue for most all of us, and while, like others, we are not immune from the financial pressures caused by the 2010 law, we are working diligently every day to develop options that reflect the values of our participants and keep costs extremely competitive in the marketplace. GuideStone’s Personal Plans health plans may be options for churches with a single staff member, usually the pastor. “We take seriously our ministry assignment from Southern Baptists to make ‘available life and health coverage,’ to our churches and ministry organizations, especially those pastors serving out at the crossroads,” GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said. “We’d encourage any pastor of a single staff-member church to call GuideStone and see if we may be able to serve him … [Read more...]
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