Staying Active in Retirement, Churches Taking Care of Legal Issues & Best and Worst Christmas

As of last Sunday, Don Wilton may no longer be the pastor of First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. But he has no affection for a certain word.

It’s one he would like to see … well, retired.

Dates on the calendar already reserve times of preaching and teaching. He’ll guide others on trips to Israel, as he has for several years. Wilton, who arrived at First Baptist in 1993, will continue to mentor and support other pastors.

He says his longtime friendship with evangelist and church member Billy Graham is a grace God used to sustain him in ministry.
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Utah attorney Gary McKean recommends every church take care of some important legal issues at this point in the year:

1. Confirm that a corporate renewal form has been submitted to the state.

2. Designate by resolution the housing allowance for pastors for the coming year.

3. Confirm the renewal of the church’s property tax exemption with the county tax assessor.

4. In January, provide receipts or statements to all donors confirming each donor’s giving in the last year.

McKean was honored during the recent annual meeting of the Utah Idaho Southern Baptist Convention for 15 years’ service as a volunteer on the state convention staff.
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In a First Person on Baptist Press, SBC President Bart Barber says his family is experiencing one of the best and worst Christmases they’ve ever experienced.

In an interview with radio host, Erick Erickson, Barber said, their family Christmas traditions are dying alongside my mother, who is in a very advanced stage of Alzheimer’s.

Barber said since his father died in 1997, his mom has been the nucleus that held our family together…especially when it came to Christmas traditions.

He says despite her limited memory, the evidence in her faith in Jesus is still strong and that just gives him a renewed appreciation for what Jesus was really doing at Christmas.

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