News from the official publication of the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas
CARES Act Required Steps to Apply
The following is from Ministers Resource Services:
Due to the anticipated high volume of applications expected to be processed for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) this Friday, April 3rd, it is urgent that churches and para-church ministries wishing to participate act quickly. While we have scheduled a webinar for Friday morning, we suggest you act immediately guided by the following:
Step 1 - Complete the PPP Payroll Analysis. We have prepared an analysis to help you determine your average monthly payroll, the qualified loan amount, and the number of jobs existing with your church or entity, all of which are required inputs on the application form. Please click the link below to access the spreadsheet. A noted caveat is that you must deduct the Federal Income Tax and Social Security/Medicare Tax in the calculation of the qualified payroll amount. The spreadsheet is set up to guide you through this process.
PPP Payroll Analysis
Step 2 - Complete the Paycheck Protection Program Application Form. You may access by clicking the link below.
Paycheck Protection Program Application Form
Guidance Completing the Form:
Due to the expediency of the government formulating the program, the application language is not optimal. Most controversial is the Civil Rights (13 C.F.R. 112, 113, 117) inclusion regarding discrimination. Attorney Steven Goodspeed of the Church Lawyers Group of Fort Worth, Texas, does not believe this wording on the form will create any issues for churches based on prior precedent governing religious freedom and rights, as well as the intent of the PPP.
Further, the first four questions on the application relate to the "business owner." Again, the form is not carefully calibrated nor yet refined for nonprofits--Goodspeed advises that we do not skip these questions even though they do not apply to churches or para-church ministries. Simply mark "yes" or "no" as applicable.
Step 3 - Submit the form to your local bank if they are a qualified SBA lender. If not, you can apply through any existing SBA 7 (a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. A list of lenders and full terms can be found at www.sba.gov or www.coronavirus.gov.
Finally, please know that we pause to pray for our churches and pastors often in these trying times. May God convert today's challenges into tomorrow's opportunities to advance His kingdom.
Due to the anticipated high volume of applications expected to be processed for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) this Friday, April 3rd, it is urgent that churches and para-church ministries wishing to participate act quickly. While we have scheduled a webinar for Friday morning, we suggest you act immediately guided by the following:
Step 1 - Complete the PPP Payroll Analysis. We have prepared an analysis to help you determine your average monthly payroll, the qualified loan amount, and the number of jobs existing with your church or entity, all of which are required inputs on the application form. Please click the link below to access the spreadsheet. A noted caveat is that you must deduct the Federal Income Tax and Social Security/Medicare Tax in the calculation of the qualified payroll amount. The spreadsheet is set up to guide you through this process.
PPP Payroll Analysis
Step 2 - Complete the Paycheck Protection Program Application Form. You may access by clicking the link below.
Paycheck Protection Program Application Form
Guidance Completing the Form:
Due to the expediency of the government formulating the program, the application language is not optimal. Most controversial is the Civil Rights (13 C.F.R. 112, 113, 117) inclusion regarding discrimination. Attorney Steven Goodspeed of the Church Lawyers Group of Fort Worth, Texas, does not believe this wording on the form will create any issues for churches based on prior precedent governing religious freedom and rights, as well as the intent of the PPP.
Further, the first four questions on the application relate to the "business owner." Again, the form is not carefully calibrated nor yet refined for nonprofits--Goodspeed advises that we do not skip these questions even though they do not apply to churches or para-church ministries. Simply mark "yes" or "no" as applicable.
Step 3 - Submit the form to your local bank if they are a qualified SBA lender. If not, you can apply through any existing SBA 7 (a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. A list of lenders and full terms can be found at www.sba.gov or www.coronavirus.gov.
Finally, please know that we pause to pray for our churches and pastors often in these trying times. May God convert today's challenges into tomorrow's opportunities to advance His kingdom.
CARES ACT Resources for Your Church, Ministry and Staff
From BMA of America:
BMA America and Ministers Resource Services, in partnership with Envoy Financial are hosting a webinar this Friday, April, 3, 2020 with information about the COVID-19 CARES ACT. To learn more and register, please go to https://www.envoyfinancial.com/bma-cares-act-webinar.
The webinar featured speaker is Don Rasmussen of Quartermaster Tax Management. Don is a Certified Tax Coach (CTC) and is a seasoned tax reduction strategist having worked with individuals, businesses and charities around the United States for more than 29 years. He has guided them to make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, maximize their tax efficiency, lower their taxes, and find money falling through the cracks in their current tax planning. Don is a sought after speaker on tax & financial issues and is a featured contributor to Fox Business and The Slott Report. Specializing in tax reduction, planning and management, Don finds solutions to all his clients’ tax planning needs. He is committed to protecting their financial security while upholding the highest standards of ethics, providing them with comprehensive information, and an exemplary customer service experience.
BMA America and Ministers Resource Services, in partnership with Envoy Financial are hosting a webinar this Friday, April, 3, 2020 with information about the COVID-19 CARES ACT. To learn more and register, please go to https://www.envoyfinancial.com/bma-cares-act-webinar.
The webinar featured speaker is Don Rasmussen of Quartermaster Tax Management. Don is a Certified Tax Coach (CTC) and is a seasoned tax reduction strategist having worked with individuals, businesses and charities around the United States for more than 29 years. He has guided them to make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, maximize their tax efficiency, lower their taxes, and find money falling through the cracks in their current tax planning. Don is a sought after speaker on tax & financial issues and is a featured contributor to Fox Business and The Slott Report. Specializing in tax reduction, planning and management, Don finds solutions to all his clients’ tax planning needs. He is committed to protecting their financial security while upholding the highest standards of ethics, providing them with comprehensive information, and an exemplary customer service experience.
From Dr. Mike Smith, president of Jacksonville College:
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP)
WHAT IS THIS? The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses including churches and 501c3 religious organizations with funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Seventy five percent of the forgiven amount must be used for payroll.
WHO CAN APPLY? Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees. Nonprofits such as churches and 501c3 organizations, veteran’s organizations, tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, and sole proprietorships can apply.
WHEN TO APPLY? Starting April 3, 2020 small businesses including churches can apply. Starting April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply. I encourage you to do so quickly for there is a funding cap.
WHERE TO APPLY? You can apply through any existing SBA 7 (a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution,( banks), federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. A list of lenders and full terms can be found at www.sba.gov or www.coronavirus.gov.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP)
WHAT IS THIS? The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses including churches and 501c3 religious organizations with funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Seventy five percent of the forgiven amount must be used for payroll.
WHO CAN APPLY? Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees. Nonprofits such as churches and 501c3 organizations, veteran’s organizations, tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, and sole proprietorships can apply.
WHEN TO APPLY? Starting April 3, 2020 small businesses including churches can apply. Starting April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply. I encourage you to do so quickly for there is a funding cap.
WHERE TO APPLY? You can apply through any existing SBA 7 (a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution,( banks), federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. A list of lenders and full terms can be found at www.sba.gov or www.coronavirus.gov.
Corrected DiscipleGuide Recommendations
These are the final DiscipleGuide Recommendations received from BMA of America President Jeff Swart March 27:
We have deleted a portion of a phrase under Baptist Publishing House and so, the DISCIPLEGUIDE BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS should be:
DiscipleGuide Board Recommendations
The DiscipleGuide Board of Trustees respectfully submits the following recommendations regarding the Baptist Publishing House:
1.. That Dr. Charley Holmes be elected as Executive Director of Baptist Publishing House for one year.
2. That the proposed budget of $465,855 for Baptist Publishing House be approved.
3. That DiscipleGuide be dissolved and the Baptist Publishing House operate as independent department of the BMA of America as defined in the proposed changes to the Statement of Principles of Cooperation.
The DiscipleGuide Board of Trustees respectfully submits the following recommendations regarding Daniel Springs Baptist Camp:
1. That the proposed 2020 budget of $567,440 for Daniel Springs Baptist Camp be approved.
2. That Daniel Springs Baptist Camp stand as an independent department of the BMA of America apart from Baptist Publishing House and conferences as defined in the proposed changes to the Statement of Principles of Cooperation.
3. That the names presented by the Nominating Committee of the BMAA be approved as the new Board of Trustees for Daniel Springs Baptist Camp.
4. We recommend the reelection of Jason Prewitt as the Executive Director of Daniel Springs Baptist Camp.
We have deleted a portion of a phrase under Baptist Publishing House and so, the DISCIPLEGUIDE BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS should be:
DiscipleGuide Board Recommendations
The DiscipleGuide Board of Trustees respectfully submits the following recommendations regarding the Baptist Publishing House:
1.. That Dr. Charley Holmes be elected as Executive Director of Baptist Publishing House for one year.
2. That the proposed budget of $465,855 for Baptist Publishing House be approved.
3. That DiscipleGuide be dissolved and the Baptist Publishing House operate as independent department of the BMA of America as defined in the proposed changes to the Statement of Principles of Cooperation.
The DiscipleGuide Board of Trustees respectfully submits the following recommendations regarding Daniel Springs Baptist Camp:
1. That the proposed 2020 budget of $567,440 for Daniel Springs Baptist Camp be approved.
2. That Daniel Springs Baptist Camp stand as an independent department of the BMA of America apart from Baptist Publishing House and conferences as defined in the proposed changes to the Statement of Principles of Cooperation.
3. That the names presented by the Nominating Committee of the BMAA be approved as the new Board of Trustees for Daniel Springs Baptist Camp.
4. We recommend the reelection of Jason Prewitt as the Executive Director of Daniel Springs Baptist Camp.
Ministry resources your church can use during coronavirus pandemic
Several BMA of Texas department directors, pastors and state missionaries just met for a Zoom online meeting to share ideas and resources that can be used by churches during the coronavirus pandemic. The resources mentioned during the meeting are as follows:
1. For live online meetings or video posting options: Zoom, Google Meet, speedtest.net, restream.io, Facebook Premiere
2. For online giving: PlanningCenter.com, easytithe.com, tithe.ly, ministrybrands.com/our-brands
3. For a provider of software, services, and information platforms for churches, ministries, and those they serve: ministrybrands.com/our-brands
4. For information on legally using music online and streaming licenses: us.ccli.com/streaming-license-terms-of-agreement
Of course, there are multiple other resources available online. These are just the ones mentioned in the meeting. What works for you? Let us know by emailing editor@baptistprogress.org.
If you need assistance setting up any of these services, email matthew@discoverthebridge.com or justin@bmatexas.org or call the BMA of Texas offices at 972-923-0757. We will be glad to help!
1. For live online meetings or video posting options: Zoom, Google Meet, speedtest.net, restream.io, Facebook Premiere
2. For online giving: PlanningCenter.com, easytithe.com, tithe.ly, ministrybrands.com/our-brands
3. For a provider of software, services, and information platforms for churches, ministries, and those they serve: ministrybrands.com/our-brands
4. For information on legally using music online and streaming licenses: us.ccli.com/streaming-license-terms-of-agreement
Of course, there are multiple other resources available online. These are just the ones mentioned in the meeting. What works for you? Let us know by emailing editor@baptistprogress.org.
If you need assistance setting up any of these services, email matthew@discoverthebridge.com or justin@bmatexas.org or call the BMA of Texas offices at 972-923-0757. We will be glad to help!
BMA of America recommendations and ballots, a church's proposed resolution and Moral Action proposed resolutions
To view BMA of America ballots and information, click here. NOTE: Ballots must be returned by April 29.
To view a proposed resolution from First, Cave Springs, Arkansas, click here.
To view proposed resolutions from BMA of America Moral Action, click here.
Waxahachie Hotel update for 2020 BMA of America Meeting
BMA of America officers have already announced the cancellation of the 2020 BMA of America Meeting scheduled for April 27-29 in Waxahachie. The hotel properties that were holding blocks of rooms for the meeting have been notified, and if you have already reserved a room, you may have already received a notice that your reservation has been canceled.
However, since rooms within the hotel blocks are reserved by individuals, it is important to remember that if you have made a reservation with a property in Waxahachie, it remains your responsibility to make sure your reservation is canceled. Call the hotel property directly, identify that your room was in the BMA block of rooms, and cancel your reservation. Most of the hotel properties have a 48-hour cancellation policy, but please take care of this as soon as you can to avoid unnecessary charges.
The Association plans to make Waxahachie its destination once again in 2021, so the arrangements committee is already at work with the Waxahachie Visitors Bureau to set up blocks of rooms for next year. Here are all the future meeting dates and locations for annual BMA of America Meetings.
2021: April 19-21; Farley Street Baptist Church, Waxahachie, Texas
2022: April 18-20; University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, Springfield, Missouri
2023: April 17-19; Antioch Baptist Church, Conway, Arkansas
However, since rooms within the hotel blocks are reserved by individuals, it is important to remember that if you have made a reservation with a property in Waxahachie, it remains your responsibility to make sure your reservation is canceled. Call the hotel property directly, identify that your room was in the BMA block of rooms, and cancel your reservation. Most of the hotel properties have a 48-hour cancellation policy, but please take care of this as soon as you can to avoid unnecessary charges.
The Association plans to make Waxahachie its destination once again in 2021, so the arrangements committee is already at work with the Waxahachie Visitors Bureau to set up blocks of rooms for next year. Here are all the future meeting dates and locations for annual BMA of America Meetings.
2021: April 19-21; Farley Street Baptist Church, Waxahachie, Texas
2022: April 18-20; University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, Springfield, Missouri
2023: April 17-19; Antioch Baptist Church, Conway, Arkansas
Daniel Springs Baptist Camp making adjustments due to coronavirus pandemic
Jason Prewitt, director of Daniel Springs Baptist Camp, in Gary, has announced that due to the coronavirus pandemic, the price increase planned for April 1, 2020, will no longer take place. All registration prices will remain the same as last year. Go to www.danielspringscamp.com for all the details and deadlines on registration.
Also, the 55th Anniversary Celebration previously, set for April 18, is postponed until further notice.
Finally, the Next-Step Weekend, set for March 27-29, (focused on staff recruiting and planning) is canceled. Prewitt may be contacted at jason@danielspringscamp.com or at 903-685-2433.
Also, the 55th Anniversary Celebration previously, set for April 18, is postponed until further notice.
Finally, the Next-Step Weekend, set for March 27-29, (focused on staff recruiting and planning) is canceled. Prewitt may be contacted at jason@danielspringscamp.com or at 903-685-2433.
2020 BMA of America Meeting Canceled
We the officers of the Baptist Missionary Association of America, in consultation with the department and agency directors, the Coordinating Council, and the national meeting production team, have canceled the 2020 BMA of America Meeting. The reasons for this historic decision are based on several lines of reasoning. On Sunday, the CDC strongly recommended that groups of 50 or more be cancelled for the next 60 days. The city of Dallas, sister city to Waxahachie where our meeting was to be held, passed a city ordinance prohibiting gatherings of 500 or more. We feel that as believers, we need to lead the way in submitting to the authority of our governmental agencies in non-faith matters. Read entire notice here.
BMA of Texas Leadership Conference: Using Your Edge, scheduled for April 27 has been canceled
The BMA of Texas Leadership Conference: Using Your Edge, scheduled for April 27, to be held in conjunction with the 2020 BMA of America Meeting, has been canceled. This of course is due to the cancellation of the 2020 BMA of America Annual Meeting and the coronavirus pandemic. Please pass the word.
WMA West Texas Retreat to be rescheduled
The Texas WMA retreat planned for May 2 in Lubbock will be rescheduled. To read the notice from Texas WMA President Johnnie Ross, click here.
Event/workshop cancellations
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the interim ministry equipping workshop scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 at the BMA of Texas Office Building in Waxahachie has been postponed until a later date to be announced.
Also, the ladies conference, scheduled for April 4 at First, Blooming Grove, has been canceled.
Please help us pass the word concerning the postponement and the cancellation.
Also, the ladies conference, scheduled for April 4 at First, Blooming Grove, has been canceled.
Please help us pass the word concerning the postponement and the cancellation.
Dates changed for BMA of Texas Annual Meeting
In order not to conflict with Election Day, the BMA Senior Adult Conference and the Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptists of Texas, which two of our department directors are required to attend, the BMA of Texas Administrative Committee has voted to change the dates of the Annual BMA of Texas Meeting to Thursday and Friday, Nov. 5-6, 2020. The meeting will be held at Farley Street, Waxahachie.
United Thanksgiving Offering total gifts received
Thank you to every church, family and individual who gave to the United Thanksgiving Offering! The BMA of Texas department directors appreciate your partnership in ministry. Total offerings received for the 2019 United Thanksgiving Offering was $58,779.21.