Arizona House stalls new tax exemptions for churchesHouse leaders moved to stall a vote Thursday on the measure that would allow properties not used for religious worship to avoid taxation. Under the expansion, student dormitories, staff housing and shelters would be spared from taxation. (Associated Press)
Phoenix-area mega-churches draw crowdsEvery weekend, 20 percent of the Valley’s churchgoing residents head for one of the area’s 32 mega-churches. Two of every 10 churchgoers may not seem like a lot, but consider that the 32 mega-churches are just a tiny fraction of all the religious congregations in the Valley. (Arizona Republic)
One-Stop Sunday Mornings for Cowboys and Cowgirls in an Arizona TownThe Ecclesia church in Cave Creek, Ariz., is sometimes called the cowboy church for its location at a local saloon. (The New York Times)