Quote :

"No church on Dec. 25 because it's Christmas? By ROSE RUSSELL IT'S distressing that so-called "mega" churches are canceling services on Christmas Day just because it's on Sunday this year. Now that your jaw has dropped, some mega churches won't have services New Year's Day either because it too falls on a Sunday. That's some way to begin the new year. This country is teetering on the rim of a toilet and churches are canceling Sunday worship services because they fall on Christmas Day? Some want to give their staffs time off with their families. Better yet: tell the staffs to bring their families to church to worship the One for Whom Christmas is named. The nation is plagued with all sorts of social problems, including disfunctional family life. If ever there was a time church ought to be open it's Dec. 25. The church doesn't need to give people a reason to stay home, too. The quest for materialism takes care of that. Please, click on "cancel" if you're crafting an e-mail arguing to forgo Sunday services because churches don't generally open when Christmas is another day of the week. Indeed, Christians can worship any time, anywhere. But underscoring the reason for Sunday worship is that the resurrection was the first day of the week, Jesus first appeared to the women and then His disciples the first day of the week, Thomas declared Christ as God the Sunday following the resurrection, and the disciples also united in worship on the first day of the week. It's enough when churches cancel services because weather is inclement and authorities say stay home. But apparently it's too inconvenient or costly for mega churches to have services on Dec. 25 because it's the Lord's Day. Even people who are not Christians or who don't go to church regularly or at all were in a tizzy this week about the development. Next, somebody will want to cancel services on the Sundays that precede holidays that we celebrate on Mondays. Among the eight churches not planning services on Sunday, Dec. 25 are Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., Southland Christian Church in Nicholasville, Ky., and Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas. The web site of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Ga. near Atlanta says stay home on New Year's Day, too. There will be no church there that day either. This doesn't say much for Christianity in the Bible belt. Some mainline churches think of mega churches as commercial operations with a bit of Jesus thrown in as it is. That's the impression one gets upon learning why Willow Creek will close Christmas Day. Spokeswoman Cally Parkinson said that "If our target and mission is to reach the unchurched, basically the people who don't go to church, how likely is it that they'll be going to church on Christmas morning?" After all, Willow Creek says when Christmas was on Sunday in 1994, only a few people came to pray. So because only a few went then is reason enough to cancel services now? First, every single time such churches open their doors, are only unchurched people in attendance? And why wouldn't the "unchurched" just want to be in service on Sunday, Christmas Day? Second, church is also where people go to worship God, hear from Him, and be with other believers. Some mega churches that don't plan to turn on the lights this Christmas Day will have numerous services in the days before. Great, but that still doesn't excuse canceling worship on Christmas Day 2005. Some that usually have multiple services will combine them into one. Let's deliver these churches a bulletin to remind them that Sunday is a work day for Christian pastors, ministers, and church workers and volunteers. Take another day off. Go to church Sunday, tend to people's needs, and offer spiritual guidance. What if people who have not been to church make their way to a mega church only to find it empty Sunday, Dec. 25? Imagine them scratching their heads in confusion, saying, "Hmmm. I thought the tomb was empty on Sunday morning. Not the church." Rose Russell is a Blade associate editor. E-mail rrussell@theblade.com"

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051210/OPINION04/512100352/-1/OPINION

Crazy. What does Fox News have to say about this?

12/10/2005 11:05:43 PM

THESE-A CHURCHES-A.... ARE IN-A.... THE HANDS-A..... OF SATAN-A!!! WE NEED-A A CLEANSING-A, TO BE WASHED-A IN THE BLOOD-A OF CHRIST-A!

12/10/2005 11:16:46 PM

everybody goes to the Christmas Eve service, even I do and I never go to church

12/10/2005 11:23:54 PM

Was it really necessary for you to post this in two sections?

[Edited on December 11, 2005 at 12:09 AM. Reason : .]

12/11/2005 12:08:53 AM

Was it really necessary for him to post it at all?

12/11/2005 12:10:47 AM

I wonder that more and more.

12/11/2005 12:12:27 AM

I wouldn't be there on Sunday the 25th because I will have gone the night before. Besides, you don't have to attend a church to worship. Quit hating on Christians.

12/11/2005 12:49:45 AM

DARKSIDED

12/11/2005 12:53:22 AM

We are in a "War on Christmas" you know. People shouldn't be on the streets at this time; chances are they may be shot.

12/11/2005 1:11:52 AM

So they won't have christmas services because it falls on a sunday?

If I'm not mistaken, doesn't their day of worship regularly fall on a sunday?

12/11/2005 2:00:49 AM

putting some thought into it

they probably don't want to be pwnt when the avg person realizes their family would choose to open presents rather than open hymnals

i mean, thats what christmas is really about for most people, fo sho

12/11/2005 2:27:53 AM

You shouldn't pray in the middle of the street for the sake of being seen praying. I'm not sure why these churches cancelled services, but I can speak to and hopefully explain well some reasons why Christians might not feel compelled to attend a church service on that day...

My family usually exchange gifts on Christmas day because that's the only day the whole extended family can get together. It's like that when there are so many work schedules to consider. At least it is for those who work at a place that needs people there year round and everyone wants off for the hollidays.

This year my aunt might have to go in to work on Christmas day, we'll have to see.

It is possible to worship God without being in a church too as whereever there are two people gathered in His name, that place is a house of worship. When we gather for Christmas day, we play and sing old mountain songs about the birth of Christ and pray a special prayer before whatever meal we have together. I've never thought of it as a guilt thing or something we do out of necessity. I feel it has been and will be done out of how we see Christmas, a celebration of the birth of our savior.

12/11/2005 2:49:07 AM

why can't you open the presents at 2 in the afternoon?

whats the point of "Keeping Christ in Christmas" if people can't be bothered to celebrate him more than they celebrate themselves?

12/11/2005 3:26:18 AM

you're assuming that people cannot celebrate christ unless in church

12/11/2005 3:27:32 AM

no, i assume people will not bother to celebrate Christ outside of a church

i'm probably one of the most cynical and loathing Christians ever

i will not be suprised if when we're in Heaven, a whole host of people walk up to me and say "You're here?"

[Edited on December 11, 2005 at 3:33 AM. Reason : i rarely give the modern church, and its members, the benefit of the doubt]

12/11/2005 3:31:24 AM

yea i guess you've got a point. i've kinda seperated myself from the WWJD bracelet kids who listen to DC talk and that shit... so my views on it are from the very small group at my church, who are generally more traditional, old-fashioned sort of people.

i can't stand going to a church with a drumset and a keyboard.

12/11/2005 3:35:12 AM

ditto

12/11/2005 4:33:49 AM

Quote :

"Was it really necessary for you to post this in two sections?"

Yes.

12/11/2005 6:56:38 AM

Quote :

"why can't you open the presents at 2 in the afternoon?"

Well, there's the work schedules and the travel which I believe I mentioned earlier.
To be clear, we do more than open presents. You did read my post?
Then there's the fact that our meetings are in fact a worship service, which I do think I put in the post.

I'm a little annoyed at what some people keep saying about "those Christians did so and so, they won't make it to heaven." The one and only thing we believe you need to get into heaven is accepting Jesus as your savior. There is no attend church x times get into heaven punch card.

Quote :

"whats the point of "Keeping Christ in Christmas" if people can't be bothered to celebrate him more than they celebrate themselves?"

Buying or making a gift for someone else is celebrating yourself? I think you meant celebrating each other. There's room for celebrating being together with those you love and celebrating the birth of Christ. It's not one or the other.

[Edited on December 11, 2005 at 12:48 PM. Reason : q/.]

12/11/2005 12:33:37 PM

going to church will magically solve this nations social/family problems

12/11/2005 8:58:10 PM

12/11/2005 9:50:58 PM

^^ I get the sarcasm, but I don't remember anyone saying it would.

12/11/2005 11:35:25 PM

This country is teetering on the rim of a toilet and churches are canceling Sunday worship services because they fall on Christmas Day? Some want to give their staffs time off with their families. Better yet: tell the staffs to bring their families to church to worship the One for Whom Christmas is named.

The nation is plagued with all sorts of social problems, including disfunctional family life. If ever there was a time church ought to be open it's Dec. 25. The church doesn't need to give people a reason to stay home, too. The quest for materialism takes care of that.


at least thats how i took it.

12/12/2005 12:06:42 AM

you might want to rethink your user name.

12/12/2005 1:02:36 AM

thats horrible... i hate to see that

12/12/2005 1:12:20 AM

whers Plato at big man

12/12/2005 1:14:19 AM

Any church services come Superbowl Sunday?

12/12/2005 6:48:25 AM

Quote :

"Pupils DiL8t: Any church services come Superbowl Sunday?"

There is service on Super Bowl Sunday, was there this past year at my church. Plenty of time from the end of service at 12:15ish until kickoff.

Quote :

"Woodfoot: no, i assume people will not bother to celebrate Christ outside of a church i'm probably one of the most cynical and loathing Christians ever i will not be suprised if when we're in Heaven, a whole host of people walk up to me and say "You're here?""

Sure there are plenty of "Sunday Christians" but that doesn't make their status the rule. I know most of the people in my fellowship group actively celebrate Christ outside of Church. Perhaps its not celebrating in your frame of mind bit it is most definitely active worship and appreciation. Also, "cynical and loathing" are not very Christ-like attributes. I must admit, that I probably fit into your attitude too but its something that needs to change none the less. Jimmy V put it nicely: "Remember: people are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway."

Quote :

"AxlBonBach: yea i guess you've got a point. i've kinda seperated myself from the WWJD bracelet kids who listen to DC talk and that shit... so my views on it are from the very small group at my church, who are generally more traditional, old-fashioned sort of people. i can't stand going to a church with a drumset and a keyboard."

I've always considered myself a bit more progressive in beliefs from most Christians but I really don't like the new-age/contemporary worship style. I feel more comfortable in a very traditional service.

Quote :

"socrates: This country is teetering on the rim of a toilet and churches are canceling Sunday worship services because they fall on Christmas Day? Some want to give their staffs time off with their families. Better yet: tell the staffs to bring their families to church to worship the One for Whom Christmas is named. The nation is plagued with all sorts of social problems, including disfunctional family life. If ever there was a time church ought to be open it's Dec. 25. The church doesn't need to give people a reason to stay home, too. The quest for materialism takes care of that."

They did the night before on Christmas Eve when pretty much everyone attends, mroe than usual Sunday worship service for sure. There is little need to be at the Church for service less than 12 hours apart when they are essentially the same service. Fellowship with family and friends is just as much service to God as attending a service. Either way, my church isn't cancelling service on Dec. 25 so anyone can feel free to attend there.

12/12/2005 10:34:04 AM

The reason I posted the same topic in 2 different sections was because there can be 2 different discussions about the story.

One discussion is chit-chat oriented, anything goes, flippant type of discussion. The other could be a more SB, politically oriented discussion.

I just wanted to be clear on this point.

Sorry if I violated a rule.

12/12/2005 10:35:54 AM

Quote :

"I'm a little annoyed at what some people keep saying about "those Christians did so and so, they won't make it to heaven." The one and only thing we believe you need to get into heaven is accepting Jesus as your savior. There is no attend church x times get into heaven punch card."

I hope that wasn't directed at me
i'm the biggest believer in perseverance of the saints ("once saved always saved") you will ever find

calvinism for the win

Quote :

"Also, "cynical and loathing" are not very Christ-like attributes."

while those were perhaps the wrong words to use, I think you can find ways that Jesus was quite cynical of the status of the pharisees and saducees, and how His Father's people were being led

and i guess i just see the modern "visit the bookstore cafe in our church lobby" church as a new breed of such

12/12/2005 11:39:49 AM

Quote :

"The other could be a more SB, politically oriented discussion."

Political?

12/12/2005 11:45:48 AM

Everything is political.

[Edited on December 12, 2005 at 12:44 PM. Reason : Maybe the gov't should force churches to open on Sunday.]

12/12/2005 12:43:25 PM

Don't you usually bitch about separation of politics and the church?

12/12/2005 12:48:52 PM

^^ maybe in your world.

12/12/2005 5:19:44 PM

Quote :

"Don't you usually bitch about separation of politics and the church?"

It's the reason why I made the suggestion I did....turnabout is fair play.

12/12/2005 7:29:15 PM

In that case, I wish they would have gay sex ed classes.

12/12/2005 10:31:45 PM

Our church is holding services on christmas day but it is scaled back from the usual three hours to just one.

Quote :

"they probably don't want to be pwnt when the avg person realizes their family would choose to open presents rather than open hymnals"

Our church scaled back so people could be with their families. We have a family first attitude. Sure you can be with your family at church but in the case of my family everyone belongs to a different denomination. Which one do you go to?

People in this thread are making the mistake of thinking that going to church is the end-all-be-all of religious worship. I think of church as a weekly reminder and reorientation to the things you should be doing during the week. Even if you are taking one Sunday off for christmas chances are your family is doing something to celebrate religion in their homes for what could very well be the only time of year that they worship outside the church.

I do not have to attend church on or near christmas to feel secure about my religion or my beliefs.

12/13/2005 7:45:14 AM

^ holy balls, your normal service is three hours?
If i had to attend a weekly 3 hour service when I was a kid I would have stopped going a hell of a lot sooner than I otherwise did

[Edited on December 13, 2005 at 8:25 AM. Reason : .]

12/13/2005 8:25:14 AM

Quote :

"I do not have to attend church on or near christmas to feel secure about my religion or my beliefs."

i like that one much better

12/13/2005 8:31:22 AM

^yeah same difference.

12/13/2005 8:50:52 AM

Quote :

"while those were perhaps the wrong words to use, I think you can find ways that Jesus was quite cynical of the status of the pharisees and saducees, and how His Father's people were being led and i guess i just see the modern "visit the bookstore cafe in our church lobby" church as a new breed of such"

Understand what you were saying now, and for the most part I agree. So much of Christian culture nowadays feels awkward, almost corporate or something... very over-produced.

12/13/2005 1:29:31 PM

Sadly, Protestant churches do not see the jump in attendance that Catholic churches see on Christmas.

Some of these churches need a few hundred volunteers to run the place (Can't have the kiddies sitting in on services, have to send them to nursery). They simply can't get anyone to help on Christmas.

12/13/2005 3:01:57 PM