An Open Letter to Rev. Jon Weece of Southland Christian Church
Why the Public Appeal for Britney Spears was Wrong
Members of your congregation have been writing me in response to my editorial on your recent sermonic and blog appeal to "support Britney." In the hopes of addressing their many questions as well as my personal concerns, here are some thoughts to further elaborate for the benefit of all involved. A similar version of this letter was also submitted directly to your attention via your website.
To the point...
I find it a bit disingenuous to only see the "plight" of Britney Spears, yet conveniently omit the other, yet equally lost Hollywood elite. Your church singled her out by name, yet conveniently omits the thousands like her, past and present who share her troubled state.
Is Britney Spears worthy of God's love and Jesus Christ's grace?
Absolutely. We have no debate there.
But a coordinated effort to "uplift Britney" when there are inarguably more pressing and effectual issues in Southland's own backyard is misguided and smacks of idolatry and church self-aggrandizement.
Was Britney the first or only starlet guilty of "devastating life choices?"
Clearly not. But since the ONLY starlet your church is active in supporting is Britney Spears, it sends that erroneous message.
Was Britney the first to fall prey to the trappings of the world or deal with the harsh realities of divorce, drugs and depression.
Clearly not.
Or moreover, is Britney the last starlet who Southland Christian Church will devote its time AND resources?
Highly likely.
So given these realities, it's fair to say that this is not about uplifting Britney or bringing her closer to Christ, but something less miraculous in nature.
At the risk of sounding ultra-cynical, where is/was the salvific postcard campaign for OJ Simpson? Where are the letters of encouragement for the rapper T.I.? If it is about the wholistic nature of God's love and not the particular celebrity involved...consistency is required.
Where is the public appeal for Lindsay Lohan? Where was the public appeal for Genarlow Wilson or the Jena 6? How about Michael Vick...he could use a postcard or two these days. That Brotha has had a pretty bad year, one which Britney's pales in any comparison.
When you talk about God's love in this "Britney Spears" context...these oversights must be acknowledged. The "convenient" and seemingly "inconvenient" recipients of God's love must both be acknowledged, not simply those more "palatable" to one's congregation.
To specifically call to uplift BRITNEY SPEARS, instead of an all-encompassing love of those in Hollywood (and elsewhere) who are "falling short" just can't be ignored or overstated. It is a telling course of action.
Singling out Britney in your sermon and on your blog was not by chance, but by choice. To sell the idea of "God's all-encompassing/inclusive love" but CHOOSE a particular Hollywood celebrity is a major contradiction.
In the end, the haphazard display of love and affection which is NOT all-inclusive is NOT consistent with God's love...but is consistent with opportunism.
Picking and CHOOSING who to show your love for is what leaves a peculiar and bitter after-taste in my mouth as well as others. You and your members can't and shouldn't even try to clean it up after the fact and say that Britney is some sort of "symbol" that can be applied to everyone, everywhere. When you single out a celebrity, you've singled out who supposedly is deserving of God's love. In essence, you're guilty of the exact sentiment you allege you're trying to defeat.
If Southland Christian Church is now committed to reach out to all "troubled" celebrities, devastated by their life choices...then my complaint is moot.
But clearly...that's not going to happen.
The love your church is showing for Britney is not akin to God's love, as His love is neither haphazard, selective in nature nor opportunist.
If a representative of Southland Christian Church can forward me the future dates of the letter-writing campaigns for such troubled stars/starlets as Whitney Houston, Paris Hilton, Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, Bobby Brown, DMX, Mel B. and the Olsen Twins et. al...that would be appreciated.
Otherwise, the publicity ploy is ill-conceived and inappropriate. The terminally ill children in Lexington, who probably are actively struggling with the idea of God's all-encompassing/inclusive love more than the likes of Britney Spears, would have been both much more appreciative and much more touched by the efforts of your church community. Their souls are on the line and in a more-immediate sense.
Morris W. O'Kelly
mokellyreport@sbcglobal.net
www.mokellyreport.blogspot.com
Published by Mr. Mo'Kelly
Online writer and/or producer for radio and TV personalities such as Jim Rome, Tavis Smiley, Ryan Seacrest and others. Work has been published in the Los Angeles Times, USAToday and dozens of other periodic... View profile
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43 Comments
Post a CommentWow , my last post on this was in 2008 . I can't beleive this is still a topic ! With all that is happening in the world and our own backyards for that matter , why do people waste time and enegy on pointless matters . why should Mo kelly care what we do ? He's using Southland and Jon as a way to get an audeince to hear him . And about all these inner city kids you teach and mentor , I think thats great . You seem to be stuck on this Britt Spears deal and if thats all you have , then i don't think your saying very much . if you are researching jon , like you say you do , then come up with something else , you can't can you . Look at our mission work , our outreach programs . We do so much more than write letters . The pen may be mightier than the sword , but in the real world , action speaks louder than words . Why all the interest in O.J. anyway . why would you compare him to Britt Spears ( whom i don't really enjoy ) ? Or is your arguement more racially motivated ? This happened when
Mr. Mo'Kelly,
I atttend Southland. It comes as no surprise you have found an issue of "fault" with Jon Weece. Many people for one reason or another attempt to "split hairs" of churches. I also noticed the only other names you offered up were of black celebrities. Could the real reason for your "contempt" be that you feel there is a certain silence or lack of speaking out for "African Americans" in the spotlight? If so...that is understandable. Why don't you complain about how Weece singles out Haiti time & again for support by prayer & finances? Why don't you have a problem with his passion & seemingly favoritism for Haiti when there are so many other countries that could use our money & prayers? You can't help ALL the people ALL the time. If you want to split hairs over Britney Spears (who is a huge roll model for young women & potentially can lead them down the wrong road in her current capacity) you should ask yourself...what GOOD is coming of it? How are YOU furthering the kingdom
Late, I know. I was actually looking for something at Southland, when I saw this. I don't know Jon personally and though I have been to Southland, I am not a member or a regular attendee. [that is my fault and no reflection on Southland ] I was new to this area and remember this, and had gone to Southland more often then. The thing about Jon and Southland is they are a loving church. What is it - you will know my people by how they love - that is Southland. Not only in word but in deed. Not only Ms Spears, but to all who come or ask for help.
I agree, that the campaign smacks of a cheesy publicity stunt. Your question about OJ does bring up tougher questions. I can relate more to Ms Spears and her tribulations more than I can Mr Simpson. And in all honesty, I can "forgive" Ms Spears more easily than Mr Simpson. I may be allowed my opinion, but it is not my place or the right thing to judge these individuals. The joyful thing is that God's mercy and grace is available to all wh
Interesting to see this two years after it happened. I am not a member of Southland, and I do not know Jon personally, but I know the people of Southland and the amazing work Jon has focused this church on doing over the past two years. The innner city clinic they have setup, the adoption of local schools to help low income and minority students reach for something higher than they have been told they can, the broken reed program, outreach to the poor around the world, and the daily focus on being the church, , not talking church. I believe at the time he made these statements about Brit Spears it was the top gossip story of our time, and it appeared the world wanted to watch her blood spill as amusement. It was an example and I think you read way to much into it. In my life I have seen very few 30 something preachers make as lasting an impact on a congregation. I think if you got to know the workings of this congregation of people, you would find the love of christ is shown dail
And to Amy below...Weece is pastor now...OJ is still around and could use 2500 letters of support.
I'm waiting...
Actually, they got my attention in the same way that America's Funniest Home Videos do on occasion. And seeing as it was already a news item and I read the news daily...
In other words it wasn't a huge accomplishment. But the person in question (now two years later) has responded how? What other celebrities has Southland approached who are also "troubled" and wayward? What type of consistent outreach to Hollywood has Southland employed...?
Exactly. You can allege all you want, but the facts are not on your side.
I am a Christian, I am a child of God and have a healthy relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
So no, you're wrong again. In no way am I limiting God. But there is such a thing as being a good steward of what God has blessed one with.
This endeavor was not an example of good stewardship and bordered on idolatry.
Mo...
You say you can't get the attention of someone over 2000 miles away? It seems Southland got yours! And thanks for assisting Southland's God-driven cause by writing this article. Prayer is more important than the letters.
PS. In your credentials, you don't mention being a Christian. Are you a child of God? Perhaps that is the one credential missing in your resume which prevents you from understanding the real effort, and the wonderful power of God which fuels it.
Mo, What can I do to help you? It sounds like you have alot of rage built up,and the big words you use are hiding a very bruised (inside) Mo I deal with inner city kids and teach a class to those teens that are cring out!!! Been there done that have hung around a few of those Celebritys that you have mention in your article. I hope this was not a racial thing Mo. I go to this church (Southland) and what I have learned and what John has taught is to love God and to love people! Do you think you can point me in the direction to those that I can help, am all for it. You take care Mo and when you want to pick on a church thats doing alot of good things and may not be perfect to all but working on Gods will. Check out that homeless person in downtown LA and walk in his shoes and ask him one thing, When it all comes down to it "Does it really matter" ask him what does. all of Southlands Love shawn PS Am not a great speller and its hard to put my heart into word or on paper and am far from
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without effort or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with these cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." (Theodore Roosevelt, 1910)
In truth I know very little about the life of Theodore Roosevelt and actually am not even sure of the precise context of this quote but I think the gist of what he is saying is pretty clear. And I think it has a general message tha
Continued from below...
Because even though you're the one in LA, I was the one in a 5th grade class not too long ago surrounded by dozens of girls singing "Oops, I Did It Again..." And good luck to Jon Weece in his attempt to share the love of Christ with a nation that definitely needs Him.