Inside First Baptist Church Jacksonville

[coredumped]

That picture wasn't a statement on the church or what they do (in fact I know little about it), but just an observation. I didn't see any other churches on the tour with security. Perhaps they need it, there are a lot of nuts (on both sides) out there:)

[finehoe]

To me it seems the church has too much property.  While on the tour, it was clear the amount of space in possession was developed for a much larger congregation.  Imo, the church should consider consolidating many of the programs it has spread out over 11 blocks and leasing out or selling the additional left over space.

Does this mean all of that property is off the tax rolls?

[Doctor_K]

No wonder the city's got a budget shortfall!  Practically nothing pays taxes downtown!  Poor planning.

[fsujax]

Wrong, it is my understanding the church pays property tax on all the garages and maybe even the bookstore. Yes, a bookstore that is many times overlooked!

[PJparker]

What does the FBC do for the City of Jacksonville?  I keep asking this question and have never seen a response.  Do they sponsor a homeless shelter?  A meals program? A free or low-cost health clinic? A jobs program?  A rehab program for addictions or outreach to criminals to turn their lives around?  Anything?  Does anyone know?

[tufsu1]

No wonder the city's got a budget shortfall!  Practically nothing pays taxes downtown!  Poor planning.

this is true all over the state...government and non-profits (like portions of churches) don't pay property taxes...that's why Tallahassee has to charge extra for utilities to make up the shortfall of having the most valuable property (downtown area) off the tax rolls.

[buckethead]

They help ensure souls shan't reach the fiery inferno due to premarital physical contact, dancing, or practicing any other religion.

[JaxNative68]

Well considering you have taken every opportunity to regurgitate your experience with the one person, as an outsider, it certainly seems like its still bothering you.

When something still hurts, you should try and heal it man.

Are you sure you're still an outsider?  It sounds like you may have drank some of their Kool-aid on your tour.

[Shwaz]

Stephen how can be so in favor of FBC and all the business they've held down and shut down across the urban core... but so against a group like SPAR that does this on a much smaller scale?

We're not talking about car washes and halfway houses either... but night life and cultural destinations that urban core so desperately needed.

[braeburn]

Naked Poetry 

[vicupstate]

Is the poetry naked or the poet?

Stephen would be in a better position to say than I, but I agree that the 'FBC shuts down everything before it can even open' is an urban legend/myth.  I have seen no evidence of it. I think it is merely a convenient excuse that needs to fall by the wayside for good. 

FBC shouldn't be singled out either.  ALL churches are tax-exempt, and if they do pay property taxes on the garages, that speaks well of them. Having a nice facility (within reason) shouldn't be a point of shame.  In their eyes, and the eyes of many, it is the house of God.

I agree that charity begins at home, but the poor abroad are much worse off than American poor, and with fewer opportunities to change their plight.

I was borned and raised Southern Baptist but am Episcopal now, just as disclosure. 

[jandar]

What does the FBC do for the City of Jacksonville?  I keep asking this question and have never seen a response.  Do they sponsor a homeless shelter?  A meals program? A free or low-cost health clinic? A jobs program?  A rehab program for addictions or outreach to criminals to turn their lives around?  Anything?  Does anyone know?

No one wants to answer this, because they want to assume that FBC does community services.
Go ask the homeless though how hard it is for them to attend service.

[JaxNative68]

Stephen:  I think Shwaz was refering to all the liquor licenses that FBC was rumored to have bought and the old zoning ordinances that keep establishments (i.e. Bars) within so many feet of there property.

And please tell me you weren't the naked one on stage!

[finehoe]

I think it is merely a convenient excuse that needs to fall by the wayside for good. 

A convenient excuse for what?

[stjr]

Right or wrong, I think that when the public sees, by example, the lengths that FBC went to unveil and pursue the disgruntled blogger in their midst, it "enhances" the understanding by outsiders that they will pursue their interests above and beyond the pale.

I have no idea what is real and what isn't about FBC for the most part, but, if they care at all what others think (maybe they don't), they could, perhaps, be more engaging of the community at large and transparent with respect to their interests.  This might help to remove the shroud of mystery that surrounds their inner workings and motivations so others don't define them and to enhance their standing with non-members.