GuideStone announces release of its Ministers’ Tax Guide
By Rebekah Bianco
DALLAS — GuideStone Financial Resources has released its most popular annual publication, the “2025 Ministers’ Tax Guide for 2024 Returns” prepared by Richard Hammar, available now for GuideStone members. The tax guide includes tax highlights for 2024 – such as annual contribution limits and standard business mileage rates – along with step-by-step filing instructions for ministers’ personal taxes and comprehensive examples and sample forms.
Additionally, GuideStone ministry partners and church administrators have access to the annual “Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches.” This publication is included in the full tax guide or as a separate electronic copy.
GuideStone members can receive both free resources by visiting GuideStone.org or can request a free printed copy of the tax guide by calling 1-888-98-GUIDE (1-888-984-8433) (printed copies are limited).
The guide was again written this year by Richard Hammar, a noted CPA, attorney and widely published author who specializes in legal and tax issues for ministers.
“Ministers’ taxes have their own unique challenges and opportunities,” said GuideStone President Hance Dilbeck. “The annual tax guide is one more opportunity for us to come alongside our members to help them achieve financial resilience so they can focus on their vital Kingdom calling.”
WMU expands Royal Ambassadors to include young men through 12th grade
by WMU Communications
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Boys becoming a part of Royal Ambassadors in first grade can now continue their RA journey in missions discipleship through their senior year of high school.
National WMU board members approved a recommendation Jan. 13 for Royal Ambassadors to be the missions organization for boys and young men in grades 1-12 rather than just boys in grades 1-6. Challengers, which has been the name of the WMU missions organization for young men in grades 7-12, will still be used as the descriptor of those in grades 7-12 under the overall umbrella of RA.
At its creation by WMU in 1908, Royal Ambassadors was an organization for boys ages 9-17.
“In the years that followed, changes were made that separated RA from older boys, which we argue negatively affected the ability of churches to seamlessly and effectively disciple older boys in missions,” said Keith Gates, ministry consultant for RA and Youth on Mission. “We are excited to bring missions discipleship for middle and high school young men back home to RA.”
Gates said RA will benefit by extending its reach and making it a complete program for all boys and young men regardless of grade in school.
“The church will benefit by providing a consistent, strengthened missions discipleship organization for boys through high school,” Gates added. “RA will take first grade boys and 12 years later, turn out on-mission men.”
The missions discipleship curriculum produced by WMU for Royal Ambassadors groups remains unchanged. Boys in grades 1-6 will continue to use “Missions Journey: Kids” curriculum and young men in grades 7-12 will continue using “Missions Journey: Students.” Both are available for purchase at wmustore.com.
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