JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — From the Internet to the pulpit: The birds and the bees are not off limits at the Church of Jacksonville. In fact, the pastors are so into the taboo topic, they've become known for it across the country.
They're words that make some blush. Actions you may only hear about in Cosmopolitan.
"The language that he used on social media, for a pastor, I think was too much," said Shelly Clark.
Clark is talking about a Facebook post by Pastor Michael Smith.
In it, he encourages married men to please and serve their wives sexually. No excuses. No more robbery.
He goes on to say some phrases that are too hot for TV, but include "rub it, touch it and squeeze it."
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"I think he has the right to his own opinion, but being a pastor and leader in the community, I think he could have been a little more tactful with his words," Clark said.
Action News sat down with Pastor Smith and his wife, Connie, to get their side. They say the boldness stems from seeing broken couples with no intimacy.
"Rejection, depression, divorce. All these things coming out of the wife not being seen as an equal sexual partner," Pastor Smith said.
"We hear from couples, for whatever reason, that have this disconnect," said Connie Smith.
In a world dominated by sexual advertising, Smith said what better place to talk about it than church. All of their messages are aimed at married couples and they don't promote sex outside that context.
It's an approach they won't stop using anytime soon.
"It's not for everybody, but it's for a lot of people," Pastor Smith said. "To try and be cute and religious, is not the time and place."
To learn more about the Smiths' message, visit their blog at greatmarriedlife.com.
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