A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life

A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life
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I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, –that unless I believed, I should not understand.-- St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

To Cancel or Not to Cancel Worship on Christmas

Lifeway reports that from a survey conducted among 1000 Protestant pastors, 6% of churches have cancelled worship services on Christmas Day which falls on Sundays this year. Complete results of the survey can be found at Out of Ur.

The good news here is that the vast majority of Protestant Churches will be open for worship on Christmas Day (the Catholics and the Orthodox I'm sure haven't even raised the question). The bad news is that some churches have decided that the worship of God on the day in which we celebrate God's self-giving in Jesus Christ will get in the way of family plans, what Jim West calls family-olatry.

Some may think that Jim's words are too tough, but Jesus also had some difficult things to say about family loyalty when it got in the way of divine devotion (Matthew 8:20-22; 12:47-49; Luke 14:25-27).

What do you think? Is it acceptable for churches to cancel worship on Christmas Day? If so, why? If not, why not?

8 comments:

John Meunier said...

The church I serve will be having worship.

Bruce Hitchcock said...

We will have church. No exuses for cancelling worship on Christmas day, unless weather closes us or Christ comes.

Richard Hall said...

Surely the question is the wrong way round. How is it possible to justify cancelling worship on one of the most important Christian holy days?

Richard Hall said...

Sorry Allan, scratch that. I should learn to read carefully before I comment.

Allan R. Bevere said...

Richard,

I posted your comment because I like the way you word the question.

Richard Hall said...

Fair enough

Paul D. said...

I don't care whether they cancel it or not, but I won't be going that day.

If Jim wants to lay accusations of family-olatry [sic], I'll counter with ecclesiology. His horse is, admittedly, much higher than mine though.

Allan R. Bevere said...

Paul,

You say you will counter with ecclesiology. Please explain? It seems to me that it is the lack of ecclesiology that leads to churches cancelling Christmas services and families choosing not to attend.