200 Florida Non-Profits Lose Tax Exemption
Last week more than 200 non profits in Tallahassee, FL lost their tax exempt status due to paperwork neglect. The IRS continues to increase the amount of paperwork required to retain a tax exempt status and has been doing so since revoking 275,000 organizations of their tax exempt statuses in 2011. Source: Tallahassee Democrat
PERSONALITIES - DEATHS
Liberty University Loses Cherished Professor
Dr. Paul Fink, 83, passed away on Saturday September 7 at a Virginia hospital. Fink taught Religion at Liberty for 34 years, “The sheer number of students impacted... by Dr. Fink is staggering, The man’s impact on the church will never be fully realized this side of eternity” says former student Joseph Short. Source: Liberty University
Blogger and Author Jen Hatmaker Making Reality TV Debut
Cable Giant HGTV will soon be featuring a reality show based on the life and times of the Austin based, Hatmaker family. The show will center around tattooed pastor Brandon and his author wife Jen rehabbing a 105 year old home with 4 kids and no DIY skills. Source: Jenhatmaker.com
PERSONALITIES IN THE NEWS
Pastor Rick Warren Gives First Interview About Son’s Suicide
Rick Warren opened up about his son’s April 5 suicide for the first time this week on CNN’s Piers Morgan Live, “I never questioned my faith in God; I questioned God’s plan,” says Warren. This interview ma y interest the 53% of Americans, who think that churches should do more to prevent suicide. Source: CNN
Churches Move to Make Way for Falcon’s Stadium
2 Atlanta churches have agreed to move their ministries to make room for the Atlanta Falcon’s new football stadium. Friendship Baptist Church will receive $19.5 million for their coveted south side location while Mt Vernon Baptist will receive $6.2 million from the organization and it’s owner, Arthur Blank. Source: CBSAtlanta.com
Pat Robertson to Return to Regent University
After Virginia-based Regent University lost it’s President, chancellor and founder Pat Robertson stepped in to take over as CEO, according to the school’s bylaws. He will fill in until a suitable replacement can be found for the office of President according to public relations director Mindy Hughes. Source: Christian Post
Dallas Church Files Suit Against Denomination for Building Retention
Dallas based, Highland Park Presbyterian Church is filing a lawsuit which would allow them to keep their property should they seek to leave the denomination. The 4,000 member congregation has been part of Grace Presbytery since 1983, and the denomination was “shocked and saddened” over the suit. Source: Christian Post
Did Pat Robertson Profit off Relief Missions to Congo?
A new documentary claims that evangelical personality Pat Robertson used the resources from his “Operation Blessing” to fund for-profit diamond digs in the Congo. Robertson’s group rejects the claims and the supporting documentary as “malicious and defamatory.” Source: Christian Post
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SEPTEMBER 20, 2013 | Ministry Briefing by Todd Rhoades & Matt Steen