A megachurch in Kentucky is collecting letters of love and support to send to pop singer Britney Spears amid her reported problems with drugs and alcohol and her custody battle with her ex-husband.
Upon the urging of senior pastor Jon Weece through a sermon, members at Southland Christian Church in Lexington will gather letters bearing messages such as “Britney, Jesus loves you," "The congregation of Southland Christian Church loves you as Jesus loves you," and "We are praying for you,” according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.
"Take a few minutes and write a note to Britney Spears," Weece said in a sermon and in a Sept. 19 blog on the church's Web site. "No preaching. No criticizing. Just love. As a church, let's love Britney the way Jesus loves her."
The pastor of the 8,000-member congregation said that Spears has made “devastating life choices” but encouraged members of the church to offer the same compassion and prayers as they would to those with non-celebrity status.
"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.
Britney Spears was raised as a Southern Baptist in her home state of Mississippi, part of the Bible Belt, and supposedly entered the music scene as a relatively devout Christian.
While her rise to stardom brought her arguably as many problems as it did fame, if not more, some believe she hasn't entirely lost the faith through it all. Hollywood.tv reported seeing her earlier this year with the word “PUSH” tattooed onto her hand. The acronym, some believe, stands for “Pray Until Something Happens” and is normally printed on necklaces and bands sold at Christian shops.
Spears also wrote a note on her official website in mid-May thanking all her fans for all their prayers.
"I am so blessed that you care enough about me to be concerned and will continue to live in this brighter state with all of you by my side during this trying time," said the 25-year-old songstress. "We are all the lights of the world and we all need to continually inspire others and look to the higher power. You are all in my prayers. Godspeed."
While her words were encouraging to concerned observers who hope to see Spears rebound from her fall from grace, the note was written on top of a picture of her posing topless with her arms folded across her chest.
Also discouraging was a more recent message to fans in which she closed by saying: "We will never really understand or figure out life completely. That's God's job. I can't wait to meet him ... or her. Love, Britney."
Since Spears’ abrupt comeback in recent months, the once-reigning pop princess has garnered more negative publicity for her troubled behavior. Spears has shaved her head, been admitted into rehab for reported problems of drug and alcohol problems, been arrested for a misdemeanor hit-and-run, and earlier this month lost custody of her two boys to ex-husband Kevin Federline.
Cindy Willison, the director of communications for Southland church, said Friday that the letters from the congregation are still being collected and that church officials were researching the best way to make sure they 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.
Christian Post reporter Kevin Jackson contributed to this report.
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"No preaching. No criticizing. Just love. As a church, let's love Britney the way Jesus loves her."
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Matthew 4:17 ...Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Ya know at times I wonder does the church realize its mission. Why is this even a question? Someone has to reach out her. I wonder how teh church would react if Osama bin Laden became a believer.
Or better yet think about how the people reacted when Paul was converted. He was persecuting beleivers. Today we call that a hate crime, but God still chose him and you and I as believers benefit greatly from it.
God is not judging Britney. If would have already judged her she would no longer being living. When God pronounces judgement on something then he has set his face against and is not channgin his mind on the outcome. What this church is doing is grace. Sin is sin whether you are celebrity or not. How many times did someone come our way before we turned to Christ or see our need for him.
It could be that the church does not want to see Britanny saved. why? are you women afraid your fickle husband will lust after her? I hope and pray she does come to Christ. This is what Christ died for. God does not wish anyone into hell. He want all to come to repentence. This church is extending that invitation.
Are we afraid she may except? if so, what does that say about the Body of Christ?
In response to Seeking Zoe "Britney Spears conducts herself like someone who doesn't have two live brain cells to rub against each other. I wonder if she can even read?" - We must be careful in responding this way. It is God who does the judging whether Brittney has the brain cells or not. It is our responsibility to point others to Christ with love. I think this letter is a great idea and it should be used to reach others (Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, etc.) in such a way. I personally am inspired and/or called now to looking into a ministry to do so. No one is too far gone to receive the love of God.
Britney Spears conducts herself like someone who doesn't have two live brain cells to rub against each other. I wonder if she can even read?
Would be nice if they did this AND did something for a relative in which they have been in judgment of, particularly those whose lifestyles are similar to Britney's. Most people won't tolerate from their relatives what they are willing to tolerate from friends and strangers.Now THAT'S Christian love!
There are sincere people that are praying for these celebrities, especially when they get in trouble. I and several friends of mine have done so over the years. One TV preacher has said for years that he is praying for Madonna. I believe him. If anyone needs prayer these folk do. They have chosen to be in a world that is is probably the hardest environment to be in. They do need the Lord AND need to know that someone cares for them without a price tag. She was raised Baptist so hopefully they will get to her. Even though her life has gone berserk right now the Lord wil reach her somehow. Maybe this will be one avenue.
If this was a publicity stunt, we would have heard about it Sept 20th, not a over a month later. If this was supposed to be a publicity stunt, then the church didn't do a very good job of making it public. Instead of bashing the church for doing something that no one else will do, pray that the letters reach her.
Of course it sounds like a publicity stunt. If you were alive when Jesus walked this earth, you would say the same thing about him. People cannot tolerate other people being zealous in their beliefs it exposes all the shortcomings and lethargy in the average, status-quo person. That's why people who are famous, or are doing great things, are always criticized. They are usually criticized by people doing nothing. Just look at the people criticizing and you'll see what I mean.
Why are we so quick to question this man? Why are we so quick to doubt that he is following the leading of God? God loves Britney deeply and He intensly desires an intimate relationship with her where He can share with her the deepest parts of His heart. We are to be His hands and feet, the salt of the earth, the chosen generation, the royal priesthood, the ambassadors of Christ, the soldiers of the cross. Why so quick to wonder if this pastor is not being just that at the leading of the Spirit of God? And why so quick to doubt the power of the Holy Spirit to use it to bring her to Him in truth and Spirit? When so many are doing nothing other than sitting in pews or criticizing it is exciting to me to see someone actually being Christ's hands reaching to one He loves. I, as a pastor, would hope my congregation would trust me to follow the leading of God and not be quick to question my motives. Just because Britney is famous doesn't mean God hasn't genuinely placed her on his heart. God loves her no less then He loves the unknown girl who dreams of being like her.
As do I... this sounds like a publicity stunt. It may very well be well intentioned... but frankly... why waste the effort when it will most likely be thrown in the trash...
'"Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.' Matt 7:6 (NASB95)
I question this.
I appreciate this story and think that it is a great idea. I pray that Ms. Spears would experience the love of Christ from the Body of Christ. One note however, Ms Spears was raised in Kentwood, Louisiana and not Mississippi as the article states.