jweece@southlandchristian.org
859 224-1636
fax: 859 223-2912
Postal Address:
PO Box 23338
Lexington KY 40532-3338
Posted on 12/11/2005 8:58:32 PM PST by Pikamax
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The senior minister at central Kentucky's largest church defended a decision to not offer services there on Christmas Sunday and responded to mounting criticism.
The Rev. Jon Weese praised the decision of elders at Southland Christian Church during a service Saturday and said they "chose to value families. People over policy."
Weese has heard from hundreds of Christians across the nation protesting the closure, Southland officials said. Preaching before a crowd of about 1,150, Weece said the full story hasn't been heard.
"I was deeply saddened by the knee-jerk response of the Christian community as a whole to give the benefit of the doubt to the media and not a church or a Christian brother. I'm still troubled that more Christians did not stand up for us," said Weece. "Can you see or begin to see that the devil is stirring the pot on this?"
The backlash came after the Lexington Herald-Leader reported that Southland and other megachurches in Illinois, Michigan, Georgia and Texas would not hold worship services on Dec. 25.
Standing on a stage decorated with 15 artificial Christmas trees, Weece downplayed the significance of the day.
"Christmas began as a pagan holiday to the Roman gods, and if we were to really celebrate the historical birth of Jesus, it would either be in early January or mid-April," Weece said. "I'm only pointing out the historical technicalities not out of intellectual arrogance, but again because of the illogical, ill-informed and even hypocritical arguments that were aimed at me this past week."
Weece also said that the church technically would be worshipping every Sunday in December.
Referring to Christianity's Jewish roots, he said that Sunday begins at sundown on Saturday according to biblical tradition.
Weece noted that Jesus also was criticized for breaking tradition. "There were some whose zeal even in the days of Jesus was misguided," he said. "They emphasized religion over relationship."
Worshippers applauded Weece several times during the service and gave him a standing ovation at one point.
"It's absolutely appalling that he and this church have been treated this way," church receptionist Olivia Byrne said after the service.
Oh, and kudo's to all the sabbath keepers for not laying into most everyone on this thread.
Revelation 3:7 "...These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open."
Hbr 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I believe in the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, where He will rule as King of Kings from the throne of David for 1,000 years. Then He will make a new heaven and a new earth.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Catholics believe that we are living in it. We're amillenial.
lol
Maybe they could just broadcast the Super Bowl via a bunch of jumbotron screens during services.
This is one of the points Weece makes in his sermon. Christianity sprung from Judaism and a day began at sunset and ended at the next sunset. Therefore, if people really want to be "technical" then those attending services at night on Christmas Eve will actually be there on the "Lord's Day".
While there may not be a Catholic church closed on Christmas day the point still stands --- those who attend on Christmas Eve are still considered to have attended Christmas services. Whether it is Sunday or the Saturday prior Jesus' birth is still being celebrated. In Southland's case there are 4 Christmas services.
Let's talk about those who attend Southland only on Saturday evening. For them they meet and break bread weekly, just never on Sunday. For them going on Sunday for Christmas is not even an issue; they would have gone on Saturday night anyway. Are they less Christian? Does it matter less if you worship Christ on Saturday versus Sunday?
Several of the proponents for Sunday worship on the 25th sound dangerously close to succumbing to the legalistic tendencies of the Pharisees (worship the day instead of the Deity). Let me be clear, again, I say this as one who would love to see all churches have some kind of service on Christmas. Yet this pastor's heart is fervently on fire for Christ. The man spent years in Haiti in a mud hut proclaiming the gospel and is very motivated to seek and save the lost. I will trust that he, and the elders, of Southland, are praying diligently and fervently for God's will in all their decisions. Even so, people make mistakes. Maybe this is one of them, maybe not. But again I urge you to listen to the pastor, in full, first before tossing out any Monday-morning quarterback-like comments assuming you know the man's (or Southland's) heart.
If there are those of you who still have a problem about the lack of a service on Sunday, in spite of numerous other Christmas services, then might I invite you to volunteer at Southland, Willow Creek, or any of these other "mega" churches?
Listen to his sermons and read the online materials - you'll find Southland (and this pastor) go much deeper than you give them credit. While we may find no service on church bizarre I must give credit to Weece. Instead of "going" to church he challenged Christians to "be" the church for once and take Christmas Day and spread the Gospel, good will, and yes even gifts in hospitals, shelters, even giving a ridiculous tip to the poor college student or single mom who had to work on Christmas as a waiter or waitress (challenging those with the means to even go so far as paying for a struggling college student's semester tuition or the single mom's mortgage for the month).
I'm telling you, I've heard this man. He's a Christ follower 7 days of the week, 365 days of the year. My personal preference doesn't negate that and I'm giving him and his eldership the benefit of the doubt on this one.
Me thinks thou dost protest too much........
There is no command in the New Testament to celebrate the birth of Jesus, nor is there even any mention of any such celebration, and certainly not on the date of pagan holiday.
Prove it.
"just wasn't possible to round up this volunteer staff "
So why didn't he ask then and there for volunteers to commit to helping on that particular morning?
"I doubt anyone's going to hell over it "
Are you not concerned about those who might decide for the first time or in a long time to go to church that morning and find the doors locked? What kind of message does that send?
Bring your families to church, people!!!!!!!!
jweece@southlandchristian.org
859 224-1636
fax: 859 223-2912
Postal Address:
PO Box 23338
Lexington KY 40532-3338
European cathedrals have no heat - period. I've sung in them in winter with steam coming out of my mouth. The sound in that pure air is wonderful - it just "spins".
How about simplifying things for a change? Open the doors, turn on the lights and sound, (don't bother with the church school or church nursery for a change....), get the organist (or a sub) there - the preacher preaches, everybody sings, listens to his sermon, and a few volunteers stick around to help the custodian to "clean up".
I did this throughout my entire high school years.
Let me qualify that - I babysat in the church nursery for the 8am service, went to Sunday school in between that service and the 10:30am service in which I sang in the choir.
>I did this throughout my entire high school years.<
Couldn't do that now.Professional Children's Ministers won't allow teenagers to do nursery duty.
"There is nothing magical or righteous by celebrating the birth of our Savior with one's buttocks warming a pew."
There is also nothing magical or righteous about warming a pew with one's buttocks just because it is Sunday.
Heh. I could've written that, except I'm the replacement sound guy instead of the regular sound guy.
And the piano player. We also need a piano player.
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