Church Organizes Support for Britney

tv.msn.com ^ | 10/27/2007 | The Associated Press

[Terriergal]

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The congregation of Southland Christian Church is being asked to send letters of love and support to troubled pop star Britney Spears, described by the pastor as having made "devastating life choices."

"Take a few minutes and write a note to Britney Spears," pastor John Weece said in a sermon and in a blog on the church Web site. "No preaching. No criticizing. Just love. As a church, let's love Britney the way Jesus loves her."

Weece said the idea came as he watched repeated reports of Spears' reported problems with drugs and alcohol and the loss of custody of her children.

"If she were your next-door neighbor in the same situation without the money and success, wouldn't you care about her problems? Wouldn't you pray for her and offer her support and encouragement?" he asked members of the church.

Cindy Willison, the church's director of communications, was still collecting the letters on Friday and looking for the best way to get them directly to Spears.

"This is an opportunity for us to reach out to someone who probably doesn't have a lot of people in her life that care for her as a person," Willison said.

[Terriergal]

Can anyone say "publicity stunt"??

What about all the other messed up people in their state? And are they going to preach just gospel to an unregenerate sinner or are they going to show her the truth of our common miserably sinful situation?

[Terriergal]

"If she were your next-door neighbor in the same situation without the money and success, wouldn't you care about her problems? Wouldn't you pray for her and offer her support and encouragement?" he asked members of the church.

GOOD POINT pastor... so ... are they doing this for the nobodies in their area who are suffering, who won't bring them any 'praying piously on the streetcorner' public attention?

Matt 6:3-4 "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

[2ndDivisionVet]

Yeah, forget all those Christ-starved people in America and the rest of the world; let’s concentrate on a spoiled, rich, raunchy bad mother who’s in the public eye. Good idea.

[Conservative til I die]

Yeah, forget all those Christ-starved people in America and the rest of the world; let’s concentrate on a spoiled, rich, raunchy bad mother who’s in the public eye. Good idea.

It's a good point that this is just a publicity stunt, but conversely to your point does Spears being a famous person make her less worthy of being prayed for than the unnamed Christ-starved people out there?

Obviously that's a woman who's living in her own hell, mostly self-made.

[2ndDivisionVet]

"It's a good point that this is just a publicity stunt, but conversely to your point does Spears being a famous person make her less worthy of being prayed for than the unnamed Christ-starved people out there? Obviously that's a woman who's living in her own hell, mostly self-made."

Miss Spears has the money, resources and support needed to lift herself out of her "self-made..hell" as you described it. Most others do not. Who would you spend your time on?

[BlessedBeGod]

Miss Spears has the money, resources and support needed to lift herself out of her "self-made..hell" as you described it. Most others do not. Who would you spend your time on?

The fact that she's not using her money, resources and support to cure herself is the reason that she does need prayer. I put her on my "list of the sick" prayer list. Praying for her in addition to others who are sick doesn't require any extra special effort, and is certainly not a waste of time.

[Gumdrop]

Personally I think this is a good idea. Prayers are always needed, especialy for those who are the most confused and in need of them.

I think we should all say a prayer for Madonna, Lindsay and Paris too. I think this woud be what Jesus would want us to do. Imagine the wonderful effect it would have if these spoiled, Hollywood girls would suddenly convert to true Christianity!!!!

[Conservative til I die]

Miss Spears has the money, resources and support needed to lift herself out of her "self-made..hell" as you described it. Most others do not. Who would you spend your time on?

I understand that. Believe me, I'm not a fan or a supporter of Britney Spears. I'm just saying that just because someone is rich and famous does not mean that they are unworthy of redemption.

Does having the money to help one's self make a difference? There are poor people living in their own hells that are just as odious.

[HarleyD]

"If she were your next-door neighbor in the same situation without the money and success, wouldn't you care about her problems?"

And I wonder how many of the congregation's neighbors are written to with "love and support" by this church. People are absolutely wacky!!!

[ItsOurTimeNow]

>>Wouldn’t you pray for her and offer her support and encouragement?<<

Support and encouragement without the Gospel are meaningless.

What this pastor describes is nothing more than garden-variety, pop-psychology, self-help “Atta Boy’s!”

Brit’s life won’t change unless her heart changes; all the thumb’s up and virtual hugs won’t make a lick of difference unless she, like every other converted sinner, is made to see their sin and the hope they can have in Christ’s atonement for that sin.

But I guess the Gospel is too “preachy” or “critical” for this pastor.

[absolootezer0]

actually it IS a good idea. get those in the public eye to see the love of God, and hopefully mend their ways.
a life changing event for britney has the potential to effect millions more young teens following in her footsteps than any single church.