By Diana Chandler Baptist Press SEATTLE — As pastor of Epic Life Church in Seattle with only five employees, Keith Carpenter sees the Paycheck Protection Plan loan as a godsend during a devastating economic downturn prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. So does pastor A.B. Vines, whose multisite New Seasons Church in Spring Valley, Calif., employs about 50. But some pastors have theological and ethical concerns with the loan, which is

By Aaron Earls LifeWay Christian Resources NASHVILLE — The coronavirus outbreak has had ripple effects across the country, including in U.S. churches, according to a new study of pastors.  Nashville-based LifeWay Research asked Protestant pastors how the pandemic has impacted their congregations and what their plans are for the near future. While nearly all pastors say their church held in-person worship services at the beginning of March, the situation had

By Diana Chandler Baptist Press AUSTIN, Texas — Church worship and ministry are considered essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas under the latest protocols issued by Gov. Greg Abbott, but several pastors said Abbott’s directive likely won’t change their church safety protocols. First Baptist Church of Vidor pastor Terry Wright said he switched to online-only services March 15 after a few church families were concerned that they might

By Roy Hayhurst Baptist Press DALLAS — With many churches reporting strained budgets due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, GuideStone is offering a one-time opportunity for both Group Plans and Personal Plans to step down to a lower-cost health care plan for the remainder of 2020. Generally the option to change plans is available only during re-enrollment. “We understand that we live in a very different economic reality

By Susan Ervien Marketing strategist and writer, GuideStone Financial Resources DALLAS — At this point, there is no running from it. The coronavirus (COVID-19) is here and having a particularly destructive impact on vulnerable populations. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 is more dangerous for those over the age of 60 and for those with underlying health conditions — such as COPD, diabetes,