Pastor defends decision to close church on Christmas

AP ^ | 12/11/05 | AP

[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.

[CharlesWayneCT]

We have one of those programmable keyboards, and the "music" is on a disk we put into the keyboard (ugh).

[Blessed]

The problem is this prominent church and several others are doing harm to the cause of Christ now that it has become public in many major cities.The Pastor had an opportunity to rectify this Sunday and he chose the path of"our plan for spreading God's word can not be questioned".

If he had prayerfully considered this matter these verses would have been a good start.


1Cr 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

1Cr 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

1Cr 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

1Cr 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

The Mega Churches have assumed the mantle of leadership and with it I Cr 8:12 becomes their responsibility.I am praying some of them will repent and model to their congregations what Christians should do when they make poor decisions.

As an aside you might want to find out if any of the elders raised a question on this.If they didn't you have major leadership problems(yes men)

[Hawkeye]

I appreciate your thoughts on this but 1 Peter 3:15-16 says:

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Did you listen to his sermon on this subject? If not then you need to do so. You may still be inclined to disagree but you need to give him a full hearing and let him give you his answer. I also want you to contrast and compare how Reverend Weece addresses the critics in his tone and manner versus how the critics have addressed him and Southland.

I'm glad that even though you disagree with Southland you are not like those who are calling the minister a "child of Satan" for this decision.

[r9etb]

What a dumbass.

[reagandemo]

And you base your remarks on..... I got it you have the authority as given through God to do so. (sarcasm off).

[steelcurtain]

If my church were not holding a worship service on Dec. 25, I think I'd be able to find another Bible-believing congregation in my area and go to their services.

[reagandemo]

You do not go to that church so why so I or any of us there care if you are buying into it or not. The Reverend is right in his statements. That's our stance. Oh, Merry Christmas.

[A.J.Armitage]

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).

On the other hand, "It's a pagan holiday and we're closing to observe it" sounds dangerously close to what?

[reagandemo]

And you think he is a phony.... Mirrors are something to behold. you have not a clue of this man's faith. It shows too.

[kidd]

...and if we were to really celebrate the historical birth of Jesus, it would either be in early January or mid-April," Weece said.

He would have a lot more credibility if he would actually provide the date that he plans to celibrate the birth of Jesus.

It would also help if he didn't complain that the date had pagan origins if he didn't have several pagan trees behind him when he made his statement.

[reagandemo]

Thank you Hawkeye. you are correct about the Pastor and the church.

[A.J.Armitage]

We have one of those programmable keyboards, and the "music" is on a disk we put into the keyboard (ugh).

I can see something like that as a backup in case the instrumentalists get sick, but if that's all you have, my condolences.

[MEGoody]

This pastor's response is kind of, well, dumb for a Christian pastor. He should have just said, "We are having services on Christmas Eve, so the elders thought it appropriate not to have services on Christmas Day."

Maybe he did say that previously. If he did, then he should have just ignored the 'cat calls.'

[MEGoody]

Couldn't do that now.

Our church does, but we aren't large enough to have a professional Children's Ministry person.

[Hawkeye]

Thank you, reagandemo. I'm assuming you, unlike others making comments, actually heeded my advice and listened to his sermon in full and didn't just rely on this article.

[Hawkeye]

That is *not* what the pastor said. And it is light years from what he meant. Others are putting words in his mouth. You really need to listen to his entire sermon. Christians are so keen on preaching that we must put the Bible in context by studying not just one verse but all the surrounding verses and yet so quick not to follow that same advice when making a judgment on a brother in Christ. Put Reverend Weece and Southland in context. Hear the man in full. Continue to disagree if you wish but give him the benefit of the doubt and hear what he has to say.

http://www.southlandchristian.org/seek/events/seek/weekend/christmas

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Besides singing in the church choir and helping out in the nursery, I can double as the pianist as well :-).

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Karaoke church?! ;-)

[A.J.Armitage]

Well, is the article accurate in quoting him in saying Christmas originally came from paganism?

My issue isn't church on Christmas. My issue is church on Sunday.

[Hawkeye]

You're welcome! Merry Christmas! :-D