Dallas, TX (PRWEB) October 16, 2008 — Springcreek Church, a non-denominational congregation in Garland, TX, publicly apologizes to its North Texas community in highly visible, full page ads in The Dallas Morning News and Dallas Observer on October 16, 2008. In a large font, the words: “We were wrong” dominate the page.
A short paragraph offers further insight into this plea for forgiveness. Among these are “for following trends when we should’ve followed Jesus. We told others how to live but did not listen ourselves. We live in the land of plenty, denying ourselves nothing, while ignoring our neighbors who actually have nothing. We sat on the sidelines doing nothing while AIDS ravaged Africa. We were wrong; we’re sorry. Please forgive us.”
In a statement, Senior Pastor Keith Stewart explains:
“No one’s perfect. You blow it. I blow it. And the Church does, too. I’m sure that you (like me) have, on more than one occasion, had to make something right by apologizing. So why is it so rare to hear a church apologize? The truth is, an apology from the Church should not ‘stand out.’ But it does, precisely because that the Church rarely does what it tells others to do. We want to change that.”
Stewart continues, “With this public apology, our foremost desire is to take responsibility for how we have failed in this area because with 100% responsibility for our attitudes and behaviors comes 100% forgiveness. And secondly, in keeping with the spirit of repentance, our desire is to keep our eyes on Jesus and allow Him to keep us focused on His mission.”
Message from the church here. [Video]