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.
SOUTHLAND? That was my church when I lived in LEX-I have to say this surprises and disappoints me!
Let me get this straight, your "church" can't manage to celebrate the historically accepted day that the birth of our Savior and Lord was given to us by God.. on the actual day... and the rest of Christiandom is out of step?
The older I get, the more I am convinced, when it comes to Religion, and the word of God, all roads lead to Rome and the Vatican... all others are interesting with nice views and such, but that's about it.
The celebration of the birth of Christ began as a pagan holiday?
Give it a few more years, and their standing ovations will include Right Hands raised in fists as well...
You don't celebrate the ignoring the birth of our Lord and Savior, because, quite frankly, you are too selfish to give him a bit of time on that day.
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."
Because they changed from being about the word of the Lord, into a dog and pony show for the almighty greenback, IMHO.
Listen to the entire address this pastor gives on this subject. I have already stated my wish that all churches have a service on Christmas Sunday but those of us who wish to throw stones better make sure we know at whom we are throwing them. If you don't know this pastor this sermon gives some great insight.
There is also an interesting point I have learned. I work with a Catholic (and I'm an "evangelical"). From what she has told me, Catholics are required to attend mass for Christmas, yet you can choose to go on Christmas Eve *OR* Christmas day.
Based on Southland's schedule of services it appears they have observances of Christ's birth once on Friday night and 3 times on Christmas Eve. According to my coworker she doesn't see the big controversy since the congregation still has the opportunity for a "mass" on Christmas Eve --- which to her is no different than showing up on the day of Christmas.
It appears that Christians are beginning to worship the day instead of Jesus. If the church is still praising Jesus and celebrating His birthday over the Christmas weekend, I say good. My personal feelings on the "Sunday" issue are secondary.
Download a few of this man's sermons and see if you then think this is another example of a church a "mile wide and an inch deep" before making any further pronouncements.
why just open on sunday?
"Dobson has ruined another church" ????? Come on - what ever happened to personal responsibility?
The flock may not be around, but it sounds like 'the accuser of the brethren' will be in many houses of worship on that day...
thanks 4 insight - HAWKEYE
Or opening presents delivered by a nonexistent fat man wearing a red suit.
I don't really care what this congregation does either. I think they would do better to deliver gifts of food and blankets/heaters to folks in need. But maybe they are going to do that on another day. I don't find the preacher's arguments to be all that compelling, however.
We use 3 cops, 4 or 5 contract shuttle bus drivers, run 3 services (only 2 Christmas day), and we are in an urban location, so it sounds like things compare. If we don't have enough ushers, we'll grab some folks out of the pews to help. If the organist isn't there, we have members who can play the piano. Some of the folks who normally volunteer in the preschool area will help fill in for the nursery. If the choir isn't there, the congregation will sing. If there is no assistant pastor, one of the church officers can do the prayer before the offering. And if the senior pastor didn't want to be there, one of the young assistants would probably jump at the chance to get some pulpit time.
And if turnout is really light, we'll block off some rows to get folks closer together and close off the overflow rooms.
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If the pastor thinks the turnout is really going to be that light, there shouldn't need to be as many folks to help as normal. He could have a service with him preaching, someone to lead congregational singing, someone to play the piano. A couple of guys to start the plates around. Preset the sound system the night before with a couple of active mikes - one for the pulpit, and one for the piano. You'd still need some cops (no atheist, jewish, or cops of other faiths in the area willing to make some overtime?) and a couple of greeters. With a low turnout, parking should resolve itself.
Agreed.
I noticed one of the Baptist churches down in Waco is closing Christmas Sunday, but you can make your donation via PayPal. "If you would like to contribute to the church via PayPal please click on the button below. PayPal is for church donations only."
And what does it matter to us or to anybody else what this church wants to do? People need to find better things to do with their time.
Catholic churches consider sundown on Saturday evening sufficient to fulfill the Sunday obligation every week of the year. However, I can guarantee that there is no Catholic church on Earth that is planning to not conduct Mass on Sunday, Christmas or not.
Cancelling Sunday services because it just happens to be Christmas is bizarre. Are they planning to cancel services on Super Bowl Sunday next because everyone is so much more interested in preparing snacks and getting out to Best Buy early enough to grab a big screen TV?
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