What is a church?

The city was ensnared in a couple of controversies recently related to home Bible studies. In March, some members of Shiloh Tabernacle Church were asked by the code enforcement division to end their home Bible studies or obtain a conditional use permit.

To give city staff members better direction, the City Council discussed the definition of church earlier this week. Here's what City Attorney Jim Markman came up with:

Church - A use provided by a legally constituted religious organization, in a building or buildings maintained solely for and limited to public and family worship of a deity or deities, together with buildings and uses which are accessory thereto and limited to the teaching of religious dogma, accessory social functions and one single-family dwelling for the use of the minister or caretakers. This definition includes synagogues, temples, mosques, and other buildings for the purposes stated herein but excludes day care centers, community recreation facilities, and private and/or secondary educational facilities.

Markman said this definition will help code enforcement officials distinguish between those who conduct ancillary religious activities in their homes and those who are opening up a church in a residential neighborhood.

The City Council on Wednesday gave Markman direction to draft an ordinance based on this definition and forward it to the Planning Commission.