Pastor defends decision to close church on Christmas

**Batpuff** · 12-11-2005, 08:52 PM

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 Reverend Jon Weese praised the decision of elders at Southland Christian Church during a service yesterday. He says elders chosed to value families and people over policy.

Church officials say Weese has heard from hundreds of Christians across the nation protesting the closure.

Weese says he is still troubled that more Christians did not stand up for the church.

The backlash came after news spread that Southland and other megachurches would not hold worship services on Christmas

**FOX SPORTS** · 12-12-2005, 08:55 AM

I'm curious of our members opinion on this

**thetribe** · 12-12-2005, 04:55 PM

My mom's church is having a Sunday evening service instead of Sunday morning so people can actually spend time with their family. It wouldn't be the same for me if I had to wait to get home from church to be able to sit down with my family and open presents. That is what Christmas is all about.

**Batpuff** · 12-12-2005, 05:01 PM

Yea my mothers church has cancelled service for that sunday as well.

**Amun-Ra** · 12-13-2005, 02:38 AM

what is the world coming to.

**crazytaxidriver** · 12-13-2005, 02:52 AM

OMG.. i can't believe this.. this whole holiday was based on the sole reason that churches are built, taken care of, and have members.. Sure people want to spend time with family, but what's it goin to hurt to take a couple hours off a present opening custom to go and hear abotu why this holiday came about.. Christmas basically no longer has anything to do with the birth of Christ. It's all about santa, and getting a bunch of presents... Sure people who don't believe in God or the story about Jesus, might think that christmas is all about gettin stuff, but in my opinion, if they really don't want to believe why there is a christmas, then they shouldn't have one. Just my opinion of course... But for christians not to say anything about shutting down church just so they can open gifts and eat dinner is ridiculous.. If they want to spend time with family why don't they invite them to come along.. maybe they will learn something.

**crazytaxidriver** · 12-13-2005, 02:55 AM

Just because they leave church open doesn't mean that people have to go either.. but there is no reason to get mad about it.. that's just showing that people are afraid they will look bad if the church is open and they arent' there..

**FOX SPORTS** · 12-13-2005, 08:45 AM

thetribe Wrote:My mom's church is having a Sunday evening service instead of Sunday morning so people can actually spend time with their family. It wouldn't be the same for me if I had to wait to get home from church to be able to sit down with my family and open presents. That is what Christmas is all about.

The tradition of family and presents is important and to some it is what Christmas is all about but Christmas by definition is a celebration of the birth of Christ.

**Amun-Ra** · 12-13-2005, 07:31 PM

crazytaxidriver Wrote:OMG.. i can't believe this.. this whole holiday was based on the sole reason that churches are built, taken care of, and have members.. Sure people want to spend time with family, but what's it goin to hurt to take a couple hours off a present opening custom to go and hear abotu why this holiday came about.. Christmas basically no longer has anything to do with the birth of Christ. It's all about santa, and getting a bunch of presents... Sure people who don't believe in God or the story about Jesus, might think that christmas is all about gettin stuff, but in my opinion, if they really don't want to believe why there is a christmas, then they shouldn't have one. Just my opinion of course... But for christians not to say anything about shutting down church just so they can open gifts and eat dinner is ridiculous.. If they want to spend time with family why don't they invite them to come along.. maybe they will learn something.

dude i agree.

**thetribe** · 12-13-2005, 07:47 PM

fox sports Wrote:The tradition of family and presents is important and to some it is what Christmas is all about but Christmas by definition is a celebration of the birth of Christ.

Not saying that my Christmas is solely based on presents and I understand that it came about as the celebration of Christ's birth. I just don't like religion so I try to stay away from that. My mom and sister still go to church almost every Sunday...it's just not for me.

12-13-2005, 08:16 PM

I haven't went to church in a long time but I agree with CTD's post 100%

ZMG · 12-13-2005, 08:25 PM

crazytaxidriver Wrote:OMG.. i can't believe this.. this whole holiday was based on the sole reason that churches are built, taken care of, and have members.. Sure people want to spend time with family, but what's it goin to hurt to take a couple hours off a present opening custom to go and hear abotu why this holiday came about.. Christmas basically no longer has anything to do with the birth of Christ. It's all about santa, and getting a bunch of presents... Sure people who don't believe in God or the story about Jesus, might think that christmas is all about gettin stuff, but in my opinion, if they really don't want to believe why there is a christmas, then they shouldn't have one. Just my opinion of course... But for christians not to say anything about shutting down church just so they can open gifts and eat dinner is ridiculous.. If they want to spend time with family why don't they invite them to come along.. maybe they will learn something.

AMEN!

DTfan · 12-13-2005, 08:27 PM

I'm with you Balla...I haven't been in a long time but I do agree with CTD's post...

Crossbones · 12-14-2005, 07:46 PM

crazytaxidriver Wrote:OMG.. i can't believe this.. this whole holiday was based on the sole reason that churches are built, taken care of, and have members.. Sure people want to spend time with family, but what's it goin to hurt to take a couple hours off a present opening custom to go and hear abotu why this holiday came about.. Christmas basically no longer has anything to do with the birth of Christ. It's all about santa, and getting a bunch of presents... Sure people who don't believe in God or the story about Jesus, might think that christmas is all about gettin stuff, but in my opinion, if they really don't want to believe why there is a christmas, then they shouldn't have one. Just my opinion of course... But for christians not to say anything about shutting down church just so they can open gifts and eat dinner is ridiculous.. If they want to spend time with family why don't they invite them to come along.. maybe they will learn something.

Great post... Our Church is still going to have morning service. And we have even talked about having a sunrise service to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. Christ is what the season is about. More people need to be thankful for what Christ has given them. The gift He give us on the tree and not whats under it.

**crazytaxidriver** · 12-14-2005, 10:44 PM

Exactly CB..