By AP
Lexington, KY – The senior minister at central Kentucky's largest church defended a decision to not offer services there on Christmas Sunday and responded to mounting criticism.
The Reverend Jon Weese praised the decision of elders at Southland Christian Church during a service Saturday. He says elders chose to value families and people over policy.
Church officials say Weese has heard from hundreds of Christians across the country protesting the closure.
Weese says he's still troubled that more Christians did not stand up for the church.
The backlash came after news spread that Southland and other, so-called "megachurches" would not hold worship services on Christmas.