Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, GuideStone Offers Financial Education & Ways to Show Appreciation to Pastors

-The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is asking the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to remove abortion-related language from the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act regulations.

According to the EEOC website, “The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is a new law that requires covered employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” to a worker’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation will cause the employer an “undue hardship.”

The proposed act was first announced in August. The window for public comments closes Oct. 10. The ERLC filed comments on Monday.

The act places abortion-related procedures alongside childbirth, fertility and post-natal care.
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To mark the start of Pastor Appreciation Month, GuideStone announced the launch of its free, online Ministerial Resources Center, which provides assistance to ministers and church decision makers on how to enhance their financial security and resilience. This new resource center includes seven educational videos, providing guidance on navigating the unique IRS guidelines and benefits applicable to ministers, along with best practices for pastoral salaries, Social Security and insurance. 

The Minister Financial Education Videos cover a variety of relevant topics, including: “What does it mean to be a minister for tax purposes?” and “What is the difference between the lump sum “package” approach and a salary-and-benefits approach?” Along with these videos, additional in-depth resources and articles will be available, designed to provide answers to common financial and tax-related questions specific to pastors. 

Learn more at Guidesstone.org.
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Good News for Today is sponsored by The Voice of the Martyrs

Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.
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In the Baptist Press Toolbox, Denise George offers ideas for encouraging pastors. The ideas range from personal to professional and there’s an idea to fit any price range. Here’s a few of them:

 – Sacred Space Spruce-Up: Offer to redecorate or renovate the pastor’s office or part of the home.

 – Gift of Time: Offer services like babysitting, pet care or household chores, giving the pastor more personal or family time.

 – Educational Endowment: Set up a scholarship or fund for the pastor’s children’s education or extracurricular activities.

 – Date Night Delight: Offer babysitting services and gift the pastor and spouse with tickets to a romantic dinner, the theatre or other activity they would enjoy as a couple.

 – Family Story: Commission a writer or artist to document the pastor’s family journey in an illustrated book or digital format.

You can read the full piece and learn more about our daily emails at Baptist Press.com.