Call and Response

He's got Wessonality: The issue of "pundit payola" has finally hit Kansas City, and The Kansas City Star appears less than thrilled. Kansas City's very own Emanuel Cleaver hired a local reporter to work as a "consultant" for his congressional campaign last fall. The Star and political correspondent Steve Kraske did not address the situation until The Washington Postreported on the arrangement on Valentine's Day -- ONLY four months after the Pitch noted what was taking place (Backwash, October 28).

While the Pitch tries to deliver stories in a timely fashion, it takes the Star four months to stay "up to date" with the competition.

Benjamin McCarthy
Lenexa

Pulpit Friction
Judge dread: Regarding C.J. Janovy's "Open Wide!" (February 10): I just wanted to thank you for publishing this exposé on the Rev. Jerry Johnston. Though I am an evangelical Christian, I am continually disgusted and disheartened by Johnston and those like him who make all Christians look like raving lunatics and hatemongers.

I may not agree with everything the Pitch publishes, but I hate even more seeing fellow Christians who, in the name of Christ, act like idiots, prima donnas and modern-day Pharisees. That's not representative of the Christ I know. I just pray that I would be a different example of Christ to the world, the humble, loving and merciful Christ.

Karen Huber
Mission Fraudcast news: Great story. I'm a pastor of a house church, and too many times I've cringed at First Family ads on TV for a revival with MC Hammer. For a person who doesn't like self-promotion, Johnston's Christmas Eve TV special (featuring the celebrity speakers who had visited the church and the news programs that Johnston had been on) sure did a good job of it.

The tragic part of the story is when you visit the church (a church that seeks to reach the world through TV) and no one invites you back.

Chad Smith
Independence

Out to pastor:I don't go to Johnston's church, nor have I ever had the desire to, but C.J. Janovy's article makes it seem that this man is single-handedly trying to cram religion down her throat. In fact, she had to attend his church to find out info for her article. She had to seek him out. The only thing she keeps talking about is the fact that he had the audacity to demand that the population of the state get the right to decide if gay marriage should be allowed in Kansas. We live in a representative democracy. Don't people have the right to vote on laws? The Legislature didn't decide the issue of gay marriage; they only put it up for a vote among the people.

Your paper has more readers than First Family Church has members. Make your opinion known on the topic and don't attempt to vilify one man because he disagrees with you. If you wind up in the minority, that will not be due to the efforts of this one pastor.

Dave Weatherford
Olathe

Cross training:Thanks for the op-ed piece. I always enjoy it when I read about my church in a periodical. It is also affirming to see my pastor characterized in the manner that was done. It is almost predictable -- well, actually, it was predicted that such characterizations would occur, as they do with any person who takes a moral stand.

I'm just glad we all live in a country where everyone's right to express themselves -- both religiously and politically -- is not oppressed like it is in so many other countries. Even a myopic press has the right to print and publish pieces that would seem to encourage the silencing of those who express contrary positions to the pet agendas they hold. But I guess even publications like the Pitch need to cater to the consumer market it is tuned to and align with the agenda that encourages those who don't agree to sit down, shut up and get to the back of the bus. We all have our crosses to bear.

Paul Davis
Overland Park

Golden deceiver: If there is any reason to believe marriage is under attack, it is certainly not from homosexual unions. You lightly referred to the fact that 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce, a far more damaging circumstance than "gay marriage." Does Pastor Jerry think the Deceiver has a hand in divorce?

Frankly, I wonder if legislating "marriage" is not getting religion and the government too closely aligned and therefore in violation of the constitution.

Steve Bailey
Fairway

Big Johnston:Jesus told his disciples -- the people he chose to speak for God after he left -- to get rid of their worldly possessions down to one suit of clothes and to follow him.

The current squad of television Jesus pimps would have you believe that God wants you to be rich and prosperous and the way to get God to lay some on you is to put your hand on the television -- say blah, blah, blah, then send them some money to do the Lord's work.

I would suggest to the disciples of Johnston (who will be displeased with me) -- read Matthew again. Love the sinner and hate the sin was the rationale behind the Inquisition.