Replies

Catholic churches consider sundown on Saturday evening sufficient to fulfill the Sunday obligation every week of the year.

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.

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)

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.