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.

[Cvengr]

I agree with you that it sends a very poor message. But in the grand scheme of things, whomsoever He has predestined to eternal life will be led to the Lord. In the case of the ministry cancelling the service, there is nothing mandating their worship and remaining open. Then again, God may have elected them for some marvelous rewards in heaven, that might simply go unclaimed and serve as an eternal memorial to the foolishness of any man who fails to remain with Him in all things.

Besides, maybe there is some homeless guy who happens to show up at the church and unbeknownst to all, witnesses to an unbeliever who wanted to hear the Gospel, and then even greater blessings await them both in eternity.

God Bless.

[A.J.Armitage]

I just realized the way I wrote that might sound like I'm the pianist, which I'm not. I meant it as an addition to who we need.

[Hawkeye]

Besides, maybe there is some homeless guy who happens to show up at the church and unbeknownst to all, witnesses to an unbeliever who wanted to hear the Gospel, and then even greater blessings await them both in eternity.

Or maybe, just maybe, the normal attenders of the church service for once quit warming the pew and use this opportunity to go out, find a homeless guy that doesn't know the Gospel, invites him to their home for a Christmas meal or takes him out for one, does *life* with him, and shares the Gospel and he gets saved!

[Hawkeye]

Listen to his sermon and you'll find out. ;-)

[Hawkeye]

Out of curiosity, why does it matter? Or is this a nitpick on semantics? For example, are you concerned he may have said "Christmas began as a pagan holiday" instead of "Christmas replaced a pagan holiday"? I think it is obvious that Christmas (Christ's Mass) in the strict sense was never a pagan holiday but the time of year it is celebrated and some of the things that have become associated with it are clearly based on pagan rituals and celebrations. A quick Google shows this from here:

Why do people celebrate Jesus' birth on December 25?

The answer to this question lies in the pagan (the ancient polytheistic religion) origins of Christmas. Before the Romans converted to Christianity, they celebrated the popular holiday Saturnalia, a festival of feasting and revelry held in December in celebration of Saturn, the god of agriculture, and the winter solstice.

Kelly Wittmann wrote, "In 350, Pope Julius I declared that Christ's birth would be celebrated on December 25. There is wide acceptance of the belief that Pope Julius I was trying to make it as painless as possible for pagan Romans, who remained a majority at that time, to convert to Christianity. The new religion went down a bit easier, knowing that their feasts would not be taken away from them." Moreover, in ancient Babylon, December 25 was the feast of the Son of Isis, Goddess of Nature, was celebrated with, "Raucous partying, gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift-giving were traditions of this feast", as stated by Kelly Wittmann.

[Revolting cat!]

Worshippers applauded Weece several times during the service and gave him a standing ovation at one point.

Entertain me, dammit!

(Disclaimer: Not a photo of the actual event.)

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

My issue is church on Sunday.

Agreed. Just because Christmas is on Sunday this year is not a good reason to stay home from church!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

That's OK - you can be my page-turner! :-)

[GatorGirl]

I would be interested in whether this church has regular Saturday night services that suffice for Sunday, or is he just using this Catholic thing as an excuse???

And anyway, although we have the option to attend several Masses Christmas Eve (and the glorious Midnight Mass as well) there will be Mass on Sunday. This church is cancelling services on the Lord's Day . That's what I find bizarre, not necessarily the availability of alternate Christmas services.

One of the more bizarre feelings for Catholics is when Christmas falls on a Saturday and we go to Mass on Saturday (Christmas Day) and then have the option of going again that evening for the Sunday obligation.

[Hawkeye]

The church does have a weekly 5:30pm service and has had Saturday services for several years now. I am the one that brought up the Catholic issue based on information from my coworker, a Catholic. What I meant by him bringing up that issue was that he brought up that Biblically a day began at sunset and ended the next sunset.

[RightWinger]

Our church isn't having Christmas day service, they are having a Christmas eve service.

I believe the biggest whiners are the ones who only go to church twice a year on Christmas & Easter.

[Capriole]

Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I'm just reporting what the pastor said. If he doesn't want to drag 100 volunteers away from their families on Christmas and force them to work from 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (which is how long the services run, including prep time and getting everybody out after the 1 p.m. service), he may just have a point. After all, he's been running the place for 20 years and probably has a good idea of what goes into it. If you disagree, you can make suggestions here: Church of the Redeemer

[Hawkeye]

I asked this of another poster earlier, but what about those who are Saturday evening attendees already. Or those that normally attend on Sundays and attend a Saturday Christmas Eve service? What if every single member gives Jesus His due credit in celebration of his wondrous birth over the course of the entire weekend --- first as a conglomerate church body on a Friday or Saturday and then as a home/family on the actual day? Are they sinning? Are they disobeying the Lord?

I'm not trying to be obstinate here. I've noted in several posts that although I am 100% behind this church and its decision I still have a personal preference that a Sunday service be available. I, personally, attend a service on Saturday evenings, so I technically don't have a "dog in this fight". I will be celebrating the Lord's Day, Jesus' birthday, on a Saturday evening. I know that there are those in Christendom who believe that you can't properly worship God or His Son unless your butt is in a pew on a day with "Sun" in the name. Here's a good article regarding Sabbath and/or Sunday worship.

However, the pastor makes a very good point that Jesus broke many traditions in His time putting relationship over religion. This discussion has shown that many Christians tread very close to worshiping a day and not Jesus. After listening to Weece I am inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt that this decision is not one taken lightly nor out of bowing down before the alter of "secularization".

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

The fallen nature of man and his lusts are no different today than they were four thousand years ago.

[A.J.Armitage]

However, the pastor makes a very good point that Jesus broke many traditions in His time putting relationship over religion.

He said, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."

[Hawkeye]

You know as well as I do that Jesus meant that statement in the spirit of loving Him so much that any other "loves" you have would seem as hate by comparison. Let's not forget the point of the post which you completely ignored: Jesus focused on relationship, NOT religion. Zaccheus, the woman at the well, the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and the list goes on. Recall Mark 12:30-31: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no commandment greater than these."

A.J., you aren't trying to save a single soul by your posts, nor enlighten anyone. I'm simply encouraging people to listen to the man. If you haven't investigated this man or the church then all you are doing is posting based upon how you "feel" about this subject based on the very few quotes in the article cited at the top. You are attempting to turn this into some kind of debate where you "win". I'm sorry but there is no winner in that kind of discussion.

Godspeed to you. I pray you have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of Jesus this year. I also pray you lead someone to a saving knowledge of Him as well!

Shalom.

[Capriole]

The fallen nature of man and his lusts are no different today than they were four thousand years ago.

Uh, yeah. Please continue with your point. . .?

[luckystarmom]

I'll be celebrating the party in my home just like we do every Christmas. We might even make a birthday cake.

[luckystarmom]

They are celebrating and observing the Sabbath on the evening before. Many churches hold Saturday evening services.

For awhile, we had to hold our services on Saturday evening. My church is small and we meet in a school. The school has had to be renovated during the summer a few times. One summer, we met at another church on Saturday evenings. It wasn't a big deal. It was just the way it was if we were going to continue to meet.

[luckystarmom]

I just spent the past two evenings with my family at a walk-through Bethlehem reenactment of the Christmas story. On Sunday, we will go to church and watch my daughters in the Christmas play with my daughter being Mary. On Christmas Eve, we'll go to church together as a family. On Christmas morning, we'll spend it at home. We've also opened our home for anyone in our church that doesn't have a place to spend Christmas to eat at our home on Christmas.

I think we do a pretty good job of remembering what the day is about.