To conclude its multi-part investigation into the property-tax “sanctuaries” of religious organizations in Texas, the Houston Chronicle dug into the finances of televangelist Kenneth Copeland and his ministry’s Eagle Mountain International Church (EMIC), based in Fort Worth.
Copeland, one of America’s wealthiest pastors, lives on an 18,000-square-foot lakeside estate that has its own airport. A spokesman says the church “always abides by biblical guidelines” and also adheres to the various laws that apply to ministries. But critics claim the organization—and many others—takes advantage of loopholes and vaguely worded clergy-housing allowances, shifting tax burdens to other residents.
A Look at Kenneth Copeland’s Prosperity
Kenneth Copeland, an adherent of the prosperity gospel, has labeled himself “a very wealthy man.” The 85-year-old says he “heard from heaven” that he should build his wife a dream home because it’s “part of your prosperity.”
As a clergy residence, the six-bedroom, six-bathroom estate is exempt from property taxes of about $150,000 per year. Airplanes on the property also are tax-exempt because they’re deemed relevant to the church’s religious work.
Although EMIC’s property was appraised at $10.8 million last year, the church contested that figure and got it lowered to $7 million. Previously, the church sued to avoid releasing salary information, calling it confidential. According to 2002 legislation, the clergy-housing allowance is supposed to be limited to the home’s “fair rental value,” typically based on a one-percent (of total value) rule.
Critics say EMIC works around the state’s one-acre clergy-housing-allowance limit, taking agriculture exemptions on much of its 1,400 acres. Jeff Law, the county’s chief appraiser, says his hands are tied because of how the law reads. “It definitely looks out of place and unusual compared to other parsonages we have,” he tells the Houston Chronicle about Copeland’s home. “But from what I can gather through the law, and my understanding, it qualifies as a parsonage just like the little house next to the church world.”
As a result of the paper’s investigation, Law says he’ll ask EMIC to reapply for a parsonage exemption—something other churches often must do.
Church Says Facts Have Been Misreported
This isn’t the first time Copeland’s finances have come under scrutiny. In 2007, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee investigated six TV ministries, including Copeland’s, trying to root out abuses. The committee found no wrongdoing but bemoaned a lack of oversight and made recommendations for changes.
