- A church has been forced to remove the word ‘Jesus’ from its Eastern signs
- Elim Church on the NSW central coast paid for digital signs ahead of festival
- They were told by a shopping centre manager the word ‘Jesus’ was offensive
A church has been forced to remove the word ‘Jesus’ from its signs ahead of Easter because it has been causing offence.
Elim Church on New South Wales’ Central Coast paid for digital signs to be displayed at Erina Fair shopping centre reading ‘the greatness of His Power’.
Pastor Martin Duffy told 2GB radio that shopping centre owner Lendlease objected to the signs and forced them to be changed to read ‘Risen Christ’ instead of ‘Jesus’.
Elim Church on New South Wales’ Central Coast paid for digital signs to be displayed at Erina Fair shopping centre reading ‘the greatness of His Power’
Pastor Martin Duffy (left) told 2GB radio property company Lendlease objected to the signs and forced them to be changed from ‘Jesus’ to ‘Risen Christ’
‘The phrase ‘Jesus is alive’… is the core message of the Christian faith and what Easter’s really all about,’ he said.
‘It’s a good message. I think there’s a minority group out there that are constantly distorting the message of Jesus Christ. It’s just going on and on.’
Pastor Duffy claimed Lendlease requested to withdraw the word ‘Jesus’ from the sign as it may have offended shoppers and non-Christians.
The sign was an advertisement for a free community event being held on the waterfront at Gosford.
‘The greatness of His Power – Jesus is Alive!’ the sign read.
Pastor Duffy said Lend Lease has since changed their mind and allowed the word ‘Jesus’ to be included in the sign.
Pastor Duffy claimed the request to withdraw the word ‘Jesus’ from the sign as it may have offended shoppers (Elim Church on the Central Coast pictured)
He said Lend Lease said the word ‘Jesus’ has yet to be added to the sign but he is hopeful it will be returned eventually.
In a statement, a Lendlease spokeswoman said they regretted asking for the sign to be amended.
‘It was an error of judgment to ask Elim Church to change its messaging, and we apologise unreservedly.
‘Lendlease values diversity and inclusion, and we welcome people of all backgrounds at our shopping centres.’