Naked Paint Parties Prompt Church's Loss of Tax-Exempt Status

Drawing a line in the sand to define the difference between a church and a nightclub isn’t something local government officials have to do every day.

But, The Life Center: A Spiritual Community isn’t your everyday kind of church. At least that’s what officials in Bay County have decided, according to WJHG.

It seems the church’s decision to host an ongoing seven-days-a-week party called Amnesia: The Tabernacle has not only raised the eyebrows of local law enforcement officials, it prompted Property Appraiser Dan Sowell to pull the church’s tax-exempt status, CBS reported.

That revocation of tax-free standing came after reports of “naked paint parties,” and slumber parties featuring the “sexiest ladies on the beach” caught the attention of law enforcement, CBS noted.

See Also:

• Florida Lawmaker Accused of Punching Spring Breaker
• Former Student Has Chilling Warning for Spring Break Revelers

It seems Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen checked into the reportedly unorthodox goings on at the 9721 Thomas Drive property after seeing an ATM and a banner promoting the nightly college-age parties appeared outside the center.

While a sign outside the door says drinking and drugs are not permitted on site, the church has been charging a $20 donation for entry, CBS noted.

“They’re trying to get around the laws, and they’re using the church to get there,” McKeithen  was quoted by the Panama Beach News Herald as saying. He called the action a “blatant slap in the face” to taxpayers.

McKeithen even posted photos of the church and a statement on his agency’s Facebook page:

“Spring Break 2015,” the post reads. “When you think you have seen it all, the right reverend Markus Bishop has now opened his church doors at The Life Center, A Spiritual Community, located at 9721 Thomas Drive. However, the church is converted into a night club every night.”

The sheriff’s office post goes on to mention Amnesia’s website where visitors can buy “sexually explicit T-shirts.”

“Let’s not forget how creative the reverend has gotten just in case you forgot your cash,” the post concluded. “There is an ATM machine located at the church entrance for your love offering. This is supposedly a youth ministry, but we will let you decide...”

For his part, Sowell says the activities add up to make the Tabernacle “a bottle club, charging $20 at the door and selling obscene T-shirts,” the News Herald quoted him as saying. “A God-fearing, God honoring church in January does not sponsor this type of debauchery in March.”

The church’s pastor, who is on probation following a battery charge lodged by a teenage girl, has not made himself available for comment, the paper noted.

What are your thoughts on this? Innocent cashing in on tourist peak season or does it go too far? Share your opinions by commenting below!

Photo from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page

Keep up with what’s happening around town and the state by signing up for your favorite Patch daily newsletter: Bloomingdale-Riverview, Bradenton, Brandon, Carrollwood-Northdale, Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Gulfport, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Lutz, New Port Richey, New Tampa, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Beaches, Safety Harbor, Sarasota, Seminole Heights, South Tampa-Hyde Park, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Westchase.