In Church News...Pastor FIRED After Attending Rick Ross Concert? Wow..Really?

In North Carolina, 26 year old Pastor Rodney Willis was about to hit his four year anniversary as the Pastor of Mt. Salem Baptist Church before he was fired from his position without notice.

According to Mt. Salem Baptist Church's deacon board, Pastor Willis was not suited for their church. Their reasoning for firing Pastor Willis was because he attend a Rick Ross concert and was spotted by other church members. The deacons released a statement saying:

“We cannot have our leader supporting people of this world who are tearing down the kingdom of God.” said Deacon Miles Langley.

He attended a Lil Wayne concert earlier this year and was reprimanded for that as well. Once word got back to the deacon board that Pastor Willis attended the Rick Ross concert, an emergency meeting was called and Pastor Willis was voted out 11 to 3 by the deacon board. Unfortunately for Pastor Willis he was exed out without any notice at all. He showed up to preach morning service that Sunday and he realized that his name was removed from his parking spot. They even got a guest preacher to preach all the services for that day.

Deacon Miles Langley also said:

“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” said Deacon Langley.

What's killing me is Pastor Willis wasn't notified that he was fired. I don't understand what was so hard about having a meeting to let him know that he violated the rules of the church and had to be let go because he didn't live up to their standards. He should've gotten a heads up and not made to look like a fool.

AmericaPastors.com has an open dialogue video with 2 other Pastors on the subject:

What do I think?...Oh I DEFINITELY Got an Opinion!

First off, I get it. You don't want the church to be represented in this light. You don't feel as though Rick Ross makes music that would be pleasing to god or glorify him in anyway. I get it. But here's where you lose me. How is a Pastor going to a Rick Ross concert "Praising the World"? Granted Rick Ross isn't the poster child for knowing and loving the lord but that's not the point. If I was judged by the music I listen to, woo have mercy father I would be in trouble. And if that's the case then you would have to say that everyone who goes to concerts of any kind be it Gospel music, Rap/Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, Rock, Alternative, Country, etc is "Praising the World". 

Second this guy is young. He's not a seasoned preacher that is 45 or 50 or even 65 years old who has been preaching for quite some time. It is unfair to scrutinize him for his music choices. Music can influence only you if you let it. Why can't it be what it is, strictly entertainment, something to listen to? Why do people have to associate music as a way of life? Its not. Just let it be what it is. Just music, a form of artistic release. It is not to be mimicked or idolized. 

Third Its unfair to place restrictions on someone that we ourselves are not willing to abide by. You cannot disregard the sins that you and I comment daily and then expect a pastor to perfect. That's unrealistic and highly unfair. The man attended a Rick Ross concert, so what! Unless he was in there drunk and taking drugs I see nothing wrong with it. People expect Pastors not to do anything of the things that they would like drink, have parties, or anything. I don't feel like this was a legitimate reason to fire the man. Seriously he did nothing that would tarnish the church in anyway shape or form. Unless the church has strict guidelines for the Pastor to follow and he violated them then that's different. But other than that he shouldn't have gotten fired I think that was harsh. 

By the Way: I saw the comments that said they agreed with the man's firing. Comparing him to Jesus and stuff. That was an ignorant way to get your point across and honestly does nothing for the argument but digress from the point. The point is the church has a very strict view of how they would like to be led by their pastor. If that's the case then it should have be made clear before hiring him. Also and I'm a keep saying this until it sticks: YOU CANNOT SUBJECT A MAN TO CERTAIN GUIDELINES ON HOW HE SHOULD LIVE HIS LIFE WHEN YOU YOURSELF ARE NOT ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THOSE GUIDELINES YOURSELF.

Question That's Been Lingering for Some Time Now: How they did they know he was there? Someone who goes to the church saw him and told others, right? So shouldn't those church members be reprimanded too? Exactly!

Here's the deal "Christians" you will not find a leader who is perfect and mundane. He or she will have listened or are currently listening to secular music (or will commit sins). That includes all genres (because there are some forms of gospel/christian music that can be confused or taken for secular music). Anyway stop judging this man for his music choices. As long he tries like the rest of us who are we to judge. Let him answer for his mistakes on judgement day. And I'm THROUGH!

Source: AmericaPreachers