What may seem like a harmless guilty pleasure to some cost Pastor Rodney Wills his job. After attending a Rick Ross concert on Saturday night, Pastor Wills arrived to church on Sunday morning to find his parking sign removed and his name missing from the office door.
Upon learning of Wills’ attendance to the concert, the deacons met at 11 p.m. Saturday night; with an 11 to 3 vote, Wills’ job was terminated. Another minister from the area was chosen to lead service the next morning.
“We cannot have our leader supporting people of this world who are tearing down the kingdom of God,” Deacon Miles Langley said.
This is not the first time Pastor Wills’ actions have come under scrutiny during his nearly four-year period with Mt. Salem. According to Deacon Langley, Wills met with the board 9 months ago after being spotted at a Lil’ Wayne concert.
“We know that many saints will have mixed opinions from our actions, but this is not how we do things here at Mt. Salem. We cannot have a pastor praising the world one minute then praising the Lord the next. Period.” Deacon Langley added.
Guest ministers will preach each week while the case moves forward. Read more on America Preachers’ website. Read more perspective on After the Altar Call.
BMWK– What are your thoughts on the church’s decision? Do you agree with the way it was handled? Would you have a problem with your Pastor going to see Rick Ross?
Jackie H. says
Thank you for the blog love Black and Married With Kids:)
Tameca Brown says
On another note, if your gonna preach on the ways of the world and also the age group you want to captivate you have to be aware of the happenings. I guess he was just gathering the facts.
remona says
Was he there being a shepherd for the word of God? Or was he being a sheep himself?
Kairis Chiaji says
Wouldn’t they have to be at the concert to see his car among thousands, and listen to the music to know what was or was not being praised? Is this the pharisaical attitude that dragged the woman “caught in the act…” Before Jesus? Is there any other circumstance? A call to help with someone there? Research for a doctorate? Is his preaching off? Just seems like a witch hunt.
Superwife says
This has nothing to do with judgment and being a pharisee. This person is a LEADER – the standard is higher. Don’t people actually read the whole bible ever – or do people only know the “don’t judge” scripture. ALL behavior is NOT acceptable all the time. No one is perfect – but LEADERSHIP must be held accountable to a higher standard. I am not listening to any Pastor attending a Rick Ross concert. He can counsel Rick Ross privately – talk to him and his people on the phone, interact as a mentor…but attending the concert is not required. Sorry – people just accept anything these days. And the church wonders why the world laughs at us…and why we have no power to change hearts for Jesus Christ.
JM says
YOU BETTER PREACH!!!! Every job has standards and if you choose to work in the church those standards will include a morality clause. You can be informed about Rick Ross without going to a concert. It sounds like he wasn’t able to truly separate himself so hey he had to be let go. You can’t be a leader of the church and participate in all things of the world. If you take on the role, expect to be held accountable.
remona says
Amen!
Anonymous says
You wouldn’t have made it during the times Jesus was here on earth. His main audience was what we called “unfit” & “worldly”. In all actuality if his actions was sinful as judged than also was the “Sanhedrin Council” (the deacons) that met @11:00 in the night….there is no right way to do wrong! I understand everyday now why the scripture declares that judgement will begin of the household of God first! We are all going to die one day, & I can bet my life on this….some young person in that crowd…..will take YOUR place. We are so busy waiting on them to come to the church house…..instead if going where’ they are.!
Buddy Roe says
Judge me if you want! But know how many lives I have changed by doing all of the things that I did and going the places that I have gone. I work in a school where these Kids worshiped lil Wayne and Rick Ross! I became the hero when I gave them what they could not from these stars, HOPE! … Then I go home and I’m a hero there too, and my hero (my father) showed me how to give of myself the way I do now. So as a leader you have to know how to reach those that you want to have as followers, these rappers have it down. It’s time these old church leaders grow up and stop that old sad song “…back in my day”. You day is now over, so move over and mentor the next group of leaders.
chris says
thank u for saying that.people of the world dont realise that serving god is a SPIRTUAL thing and if you read in galatians paul said it himself. am sure rick ross did not say one thing to glorify the name of GOD. and thats our purpose to glorify god.
Superwife says
Why do people just want EVERYTHING to be acceptable. We have NO STANDARDS of conduct whatsoever and we wonder why there is such rampant disregard for anything respectful in today’s society. There are just certain positions that require people to actually have higher standards of conduct than the general population. If you cannot accept that – don’t take the assignment. Our society is ratchet enough – without accepting this level of behavior. I Peter 4:17 and James 3:1.
Anonymous says
I agree that leaders have an imnportant role or calling to serve God and do what’s right at all times. Of course we all sinned and come short of the glory of God and we are not perfect. As long as we are in this world we are going to be tempted but we have to try and resist the temptation of the world. The Pastor probably have a weekness for that type of music and should repent and ask God to guide his thoughts and footsteps.
Joanne says
I know I read a story similar to this in the Bible, about Pastor Jesus hanging out with the tax collectors.
remona says
Jesus wasn’t out collecting taxes was he? He was disciplining. Was this pastor applauding and partaking in the events or was he trying to persuade others that were there that being as big a fan (if not more) for Jesus Christ will give them everlasting life? Ummm….you can know of the world without being of that world.
Carla says
Jesus did NOT “hang out” with the tax collectors in the sense of how you’re trying to portray him. Jesus went to preach the Gospel and made a clear distinction who the Teacher was.
Anonymous says
Reminds me of a Pastor in Philly, who (while Pastoring) was a bouncer in a strip club.Really? You cannot straddle the fence
In or out If the world .Those type if rappers are not of God. No way no how.
honeybee says
JUST REMEMBER THESE RAPPERS ARE GOD”S CHILDREN TOO. GOD LOVE US ALL HE DOES NOT LIKE SINS BUT HE LOVES THE SINNERS. SOME OF THESE OLD DEACONS NEED TO GO BACK TO THE WORD. GOD SO LOVED YHE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY FORGOTTEN SON. I DO BELIEVE WHAT WAS DONE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN A MORE GODLY WAY. ” GO INTO THE WORLD AND SAVE A LOSS SHEEP”
Turht be Told says
We are all God’s creation but we are not all his children. Case in point we have to do certain things as indicated in the word to become “sons of God”.. He loves us all and gave his only begotton Son … He also hates sin … But we have to repent of our sins and become a new man (throw away old things) to become the sons or children.
Truth be Told says
Actually become a “new Man”
chris says
truely sad………am happy they fired him you cannot want to serve GOD and MAMMON. god cannot be mocked amen to that church for keeping it real.our god is awesome. DARKNESS AND LIGHT CANNOT MIX. its either u love one or hate one.
S. Ray says
I feel that the firing of the pastor was correct. How can he teach Godliness, being not of the world or living a holy God centered life if he himself is indulging in worldly things? We cannot teach our children not to lie, steal, cheat, curse ect. if we are practicing these thing. A pastor is not above reproach as we are not either so why? We are our brother’s keeper and I hope that this pastor repents, asks the Lord God for forgiveness for anyone in the flock that he was shepherd of that he may have influenced to too feel that you can straddle the fence. If one is a leader they are held to a higher standard but we should always be mindful that they are not God. We must study the word for ourselves and study to show ourselves approved. We all need to pray for all pastors as well as the leaders of our country and world. They too are only man and not exempt from temptation of sin.
Dick says
Hello, this weekend is good in support of me,
because this point in time i am reading this wonderful informative paragraph here
at my home.