Baptist Press Archive

Thursday, April 02, 2020

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  • Religious liberty concerns resolved for churches to receive CARES Act stimulus funds
    by George Schroeder and Jonathan Howe, posted Thursday, April 02, 2020 (3 years ago)

    iStock
    NASHVILLE (BP) – An Interim Final Rule published by the U.S. Small Business Administration provides assurance that churches and other ministries are in fact eligible to receive loans as part of a massive financial stimulus bill passed last week by Congress, and that those faith-based nonprofits will not face potential conflict with religious liberty protections.

    The Paycheck Protection Program, enacted as part of the $2 trillion CARES Act to relieve economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, set aside $350 billion to guarantee loans to businesses employing fewer than 500 employees for expenses like payroll, utilities and rent or mortgage payments. Nonprofits, including churches and other religious ministries, are eligible to receive funds covering up to 2.5 times their average monthly payroll, with a cap of $10 million per loan. Read More

  • Send Relief names Francis Horton as vice president over international operations
    by Ann Lovell, posted Thursday, April 02, 2020 (3 years ago)

    IMB photo
    RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- Send Relief announced Francis K. Horton III as its new vice president overseeing operations outside North America on Thursday (April 2). Horton brings more than 20 years of international missions and relief experience to the role.

    The announcement comes one month after the International Mission Board (IMB) and the North American Mission Board (NAMB) announced Bryant Wright, founding pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga., will lead Southern Baptists' national and international compassion ministries under the banner of Send Relief. Read More

  • Musical artists explore new forms of creativity during COVID-19 pandemic
    by Tess Schoonhoven, posted Thursday, April 02, 2020 (3 years ago)

    NASHVILLE (BP) -- Stay-at-home orders related to COVID-19 have taken on a different meaning to many touring musical artists. Instead of the typical routine of touring and playing music for large events and gatherings, artists are literally staying at home.

    And it has come with a hefty price tag for many. Read More

  • SBC ethicists applaud guide to protect disabled, elderly
    by Tom Strode, posted Thursday, April 02, 2020 (3 years ago)

    iStock
    WASHINGTON (BP) -- Southern Baptist ethicists Russell Moore and C. Ben Mitchell expressed gratitude at the federal government's warning against unlawful discrimination in care for the disabled and other vulnerable patients during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

    A division of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a bulletin March 28 to remind entities covered by civil rights laws of their responsibility to abide by federal bans on discrimination on the basis of disability, age and other categories during the current health crisis. Read More

  • Bible Study: Change that leads to repentance
    by Staff/LifeWay Christian Resources, posted Thursday, April 02, 2020 (3 years ago)

    Repentance is changing one's way of life as a result of a dramatic change in thought. But this raises the question, "Change our thoughts about what?" We need to change how we view the kingdom of heaven, change how we see our sin, and change how we see God. Read More

  • Churches should 'wait and see' before applying for aid
    by George Schroeder and Jonathan Howe, posted Thursday, April 02, 2020 (3 years ago)

    iStock
    NASHVILLE (BP) -- While many churches and other ministries are eligible to receive loans as part of a massive financial stimulus bill passed by Congress last week, concerns have been raised over federal regulations that could set up conflict with religious liberty protections.

    The Paycheck Protection Program, enacted as part of the $2 trillion CARES Act to relieve economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, set aside $350 billion to guarantee loans to businesses employing fewer than 500 employees for expenses like payroll, utilities and rent or mortgage payments. Nonprofits, including churches and religious ministries, are eligible to receive funds covering up to 2.5 times their average monthly payroll, with a cap of $10 million per loan. Read More

  • Bautistas del sur objetan amenaza del alcalde de cerrar los edificios de las iglesias
    Por Tom Strode, posted Thursday, April 02, 2020 (3 years ago)

    Foto de iStock
    WASHINGTON (BP) -- Bautistas del sur han expresado objeciones a la amenaza del alcalde de New York City, Bill de Blasio de cerrar permanentemente los edificios de iglesias y de otros grupos religiosos si ellos continúan reuniéndose para tener cultos colectivos.

    En su conferencia de prensa del 27 de marzo, de Blasio dijo que los encargados de hacer cumplir las leyes habían sido instruidos de advertirles a los líderes de congregaciones cuando descubrieran que los cultos de adoración estaban teniendo lugar y de esa manera estarían quebrantando las restricciones de la ciudad sobre reunirse durante la pandemia del coronavirus (COVID-19). Read More

  • Domingo de Resurrección, búsqueda virtual de huevos y cultos en autocinema entre los planes de Pascua del COVID-19
    Por Diana Chandler , posted Thursday, April 02, 2020 (3 years ago)

    Foto presentada
    NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- Como muchas otras iglesias, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church planea transmitir en vivo los cultos del Domingo de Palmas, del Viernes Santo y del Domingo de Resurrección. Sin embargo, el pastor Fred Luter tiene un plan innovador para suplir el vacío dejado por la inhabilidad de reunirse como cuerpo de la iglesia en esos atesorados eventos.

    Él compensará con una celebración de "Domingo de Resurrección" en las instalaciones luego que termine el distanciamiento social. Read More

  • Carolina el Norte ve una explosión de plantaciones de iglesias hispanas
    Por Keila Díaz, posted Thursday, April 02, 2020 (3 years ago)

    Foto enviada a BP.
    CHARLOTTE, C.N. (BP) -- En los últimos siete años, Carolina el Norte ha experimentado una explosión de plantaciones de iglesias hispanas, con 150 nuevas iglesias hispanas. Y el crecimiento no muestra señales de detenerse, incluso en medio de la pandemia del COVID-19.

    "Ha habido un despertar espiritual que ha llevado a la plantación de iglesias hispanas por todo el estado," dijo William Ortega, consultor de plantación de iglesias hispanas con la Convención Estatal Bautista de Carolina del Norte. Read More

  • Fábrica de chocolate ahora hace mascarillas médicas
    Por Erin Roach, posted Thursday, April 02, 2020 (3 years ago)

    Foto presentada
    MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas (BP) -- Una fábrica de chocolate propiedad de una pareja de bautistas del sur está entre las fábricas que han pasado a hacer mascarillas/médicas para suplir los hospitales con equipo protector necesario en la lucha contra el COVID-19.

    Michael y Angie Moss son dueños de Sweet Shop USA, fabricante de chocolate hecho a mamo en el país, en Mount Pleasant, Texas. La compañía fue fundada en Fort Worth hace casi 50 años antes de reubicarse al noroeste de Texas, y suple a miles de minoristas a nivel nacional incluyendo Nordstrom. Read More

  • EDITORIAL: Semana Santa en tiempos del Coronavirus
    Luis R. Lopez, posted Thursday, April 02, 2020 (3 years ago)

    El mundo en que vivimos ha cambiado radicalmente en las últimas semanas. La pandemia del COVID-19 está transformando nuestra sociedad y dejando una huella notable en la forma en que pensamos acerca de la familia, los negocios, la salud, la tecnología, la política, las artes, ... Read More