KINGSVILLE, Texas--The Baptist Standard reports that a small South Texas church could owe up to $10,000 in back taxes on two properties unless the county restores the facilities' tax-exempt status.
The tax exemption was removed on two buildings owned by University Baptist Church, one a house where the church's youth minister lived, and another a former nightclub the church was using for community outreach ministries.
The county claims that because the youth minister, who is still a college student, is not yet ordained or licensed, there can be no tax exemption. Rev. Jerry Tanner, pastor of University, said he was informed the multi-use facility was denied tax-exempt status because it was used for a Christian exercise program, and a tax-exemption would give the not-for-profit aerobics program an unfair competitive advantage over other local, for-profit exercise facilities.
Tanner said the church is contesting the denial of tax exemption.
"It doesn't have to look like a church with a steeple and all that," said C.L. Foley, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, which uses the former nightclub for services. "It's where we worship and fellowship. ... Whenever we meet, it constitutes a church."
