Churches battling cities over parking is a tale as old as time. But in the seaside town of St. Pete Beach, Fla., an entirely different version of a parking lot battle has played out, this time with the city ordered…
City and church compromise in building-use dispute
An American Baptist congregation with a long history in its community can continue to rent space to outside groups as a way to afford upkeep of a church structure built during its former heyday, a California city council ruled May 14.
City says church can’t rent space to community groups
A zoning crackdown in a Silicon Valley neighborhood has a dozen community groups searching for new venues and threatens the future of a 124-year-old American Baptist church that depends on rental income for about a third of its annual budget….
Neighbors’ concern with noise prompts dispute over worship
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist church in Louisiana investigated numerous times for noise complaints has filed a lawsuit claiming intimidation by police and violations of religious liberty under both state and federal law. The lawsuit filed Dec. 10 in…