One Powerful Voice
December 11th, 2008
Dear friend,
You may have heard that earlier this week, Eagle Mountain International Church/Kenneth Copeland Ministries had a hearing before the Tarrant County Appraisal District Board seeking tax-exempt status for an aircraft owned by the ministry and used in the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus and in the religious function of our ministry in accordance with the Texas Property Code.
The request for tax exemption was denied, the Appraisal Board stated because in our application for exemption, EMIC/KCM declined to provide a list of names, salaries and job descriptions of every one of the Church’s 514 employees. This is another example of government agencies encroaching on the rights of non-profit organizations. As we look at the history of the United States, the concept of the separation of Church and State was not to keep the Church out of government but to ensure the government would not interfere in or interrupt the ministry of the Church.
Here are some key points that are important for us all to understand as we respond to the news stories noted I’ve noted below:
- No requirement exists in the Texas Property Code to disclose salaries or job descriptions.
- In a recent interview with the Ft. Worth Star Telegram, Jeffrey D. Law the Tarrant County Chief Appraiser said that “although the exemption form requires the salaries be disclosed it is not clear why.” He went on to say, “When you actually start going through the process of determining….whether the property is exempt or not exempt, there’s not much use of the salary information.
- At the hearing, Ms. Diane Collins, Tarrant County Appraisal Director, said that “The Texas Property Code is silent as it regards disclosure of salary information” and that there are no personnel who are trained at the Appraisal District to interpret such information.”
My question is this…If the information is not required by law nor is there anyone at the Appraisal District trained to do anything with the data, why is it necessary? In addition, several news agencies have picked up this story, some have told the facts fairly others have distorted the story with either false statements or comments that would lead one to make assumptions that are not correct. One news source actually said, “ministries like this should not hoard money.” As our partners, you know that is the farthest thing from what we do at KCM. In addition, if an aircraft is ever used for non-ministry trips it is paid for personally by the individual traveling in accordance with IRS statues.
In fact, if I’ve heard Brother Kenneth Copeland say this once, I’ve heard it a thousand times, “Our mission is to get the Word out not money in.” He also often states, “We are here for what we can do for our partners not what they can do for us.” This is the heart beat of the mission of Kenneth Copeland Ministries.
So, this situation is a great opportunity for us, as a response team, to make our voices heard as a united family of faith. We don’t ask for special treatment in the press but we do ask for fair treatment not only for ourselves but for all ministries who may find themselves the subject of a story.
Please take a moment to read the stories below and then share your thoughts in the spaces they provide for commentary or blogging. If you have any comments or questions feel free to contact me directly at this e-mail address, I would be happy to hear from you.
Thank you very much for all you do as a partner and friend of Believers Stand United. The Lord is truly using you to bridge gaps and bring people together from every background and walk of life. We are standing united with you and always will.
Many blessings to you and those you love.
Dr. Stephen Lowell Swisher
Kenneth Copeland Ministries
www.believersstandunited.com
Keeping You Informed
To read full entries, click the links below. Once you’ve read the blogs, feel free to respond to the blogging community by posting your comments about the pieces.
Televangelist denied tax break for jet – “Local tax officials in Fort Worth, Texas, say a televangelist will have to pay taxes on his private jet unless he releases information on his salary.” (United Press International, Inc. Televangelist denied tax break for jet. www.upi.com. Dec. 7, 2008.) 
Televangelist Kenneth Copeland’s Jet Might Bring Him Down – Read this excerpt by Darren Barbee in which he discusses information about Kenneth Copeland Ministries’ recent interaction with the Tarrant Appraisal District. (Barbee, Darren. Televangelist Kenneth Copeland’s Jet Might Bring Him Down. http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/. Dec. 6, 2008.)
Kenneth Copeland Ministries / Eagle Mountain International Church Responds to Tarrant County Appraisal District Board Ruling – Read this article published on www.marketwatch.com which discusses Kenneth Copeland Ministries’ response concerning their tax-exempt status. (PR Newswire. Kenneth Copeland Ministries / Eagle Mountain International Church Responds to Tarrant County Appraisal District Board Ruling. www.marketwatch.com. Dec. 8, 2008.)
Appraisal board denies Copeland exemption on jet – In this article, Brett Shipp discusses the recent correspondence between the Tarrant Appraisal board and Kenneth Copeland Ministries. (Shipp, Brett and WFAA-TV. Appraisal board denies Copeland exemption on jet. www.wfaa.com. Dec. 8, 2008.) 
Thank you again for joining us in this endeavor. Together we’re making a difference! |
