St. Maximos' Hut

In a new church land use case in this part of the world, McLean Bible Church (MBC) of Fairfax County, VA, a metro D.C.-area megachurch, filed a federal lawsuit July 3rd challenging a government ruling that it was "improperly holding seminary-level classes on church grounds." Christianity Today reports that MBC, partnered with Capitol Bible Seminary in 2001 to offer Bible and religion classes. Apparently, MBC did not issue academic credit or confer degrees, but students could take classes at the church toward a degree from the seminary. Three years after the classes began, Fairfax County officials determined the level of learning went beyond typical Sunday school, meaning the church would need to apply for zoning status as a college or university. MBC filed suit after exhausting administrative remedies at the the county-level.
This is one to watch, particularly as to the role of municipal officials in assessing course offerings by churches.