I am just one of the six billion people who share planet earth. Like you, I am a citizen of this global village. Like you, I try to live my life in ways that reflect my beliefs and values. I am a husband and a father. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I am American Protestant Christian. While I deeply value the tradition in which I was raised, I am more aware these days of how I and my tradition have failed to represent Jesus well. While we have had great moments — when Jesus is clearly visible in our attitudes and actions –we have also been guilty of doing the very things that bothered Jesus so much about the religion of his day. I am also a pastor. As such, I bear a larger percentage of guilt for the offenses of the Church.
Our congregation has been studying the story of Nehemiah from the Old Testament. Under Nehemiah’s leadership, the people realized that they were violating their own code of conduct from their own scriptures. Nehemiah confessed not only his sins and the sins of his people, but the sins of their ancestors. Today I would like to attempt, in a small way, to do the same. I ask for God’s forgiveness and for yours.
I ask for your forgiveness for not loving you as Jesus modeled and commanded. I apologize that we have loved our programs and traditions more than our neighbors. This is not what Jesus intended.
I ask for your forgiveness for our religious pride that has left you feeling judged and ridiculed, rather than loved and welcomed. I apologize for treating you like a prize to be won rather than a person to be respected. This is not what Jesus intended.
I ask for your forgiveness for the acts of corruption and violence done in and through the church throughout history.
I ask for your forgiveness for every pastor or priest who has ever served the church to get money, fame, or sex.
I ask for forgiveness for the thousands of church splits and denominational factions that have ripped the body of Christ in every direction except heavenward.
I ask for your forgiveness for our ethno-centric pride that has kept us from humbly learning from others around the world.
I ask for forgiveness for every Christian who has wagged their finger in your face, or shouted at you from their soapbox, with pride and hatred in their heart.
I ask for your forgiveness for every Christian friend you have ever had who never told you their spiritual story. I apologize for keeping relationship shallow, for avoiding topics of substance, and for hiding from you something has been life to us. This is not what Jesus intended.
Jesus intended for his followers to follow Him. That means the same characteristics that mark Jesus should mark the followers of Jesus: kindness, humility, generosity, peace, and joy. Jesus intends for his followers to be transformed, to live by faith, to be known by love, and to be a voice of hope. I apologize for not representing Jesus well to you.
Jesus lived and loved like no one else. He embraced the outcast. He challenged the hypocrites. He hung out with sinners. He pointed people to another way. The truth about Jesus – whether I have represented him well or not – is that He longs to welcome you, to rescue you, to forgive you, to work in and through you. That is what Jesus intends for us all, even us Christians.
I hope you will forgive me and forgive us.
7 Comments
Pastor Scott,
I was very moved by this letter during your sermon on Sunday. I think it takes a strong person to share their faith with someone else but I think it takes an even stronger person to admit our shortcomings and to admit them publicly takes even that much more. I think that we can all learn something from Nehemiah. We should not be afraid to admit where we have fallen short and to confess our sins. Thank you again for sharing this letter, it was very touching
I was very moved by your sermon Sunday on the need for us to confess not only our own sins, but also the sins of our family, our church and our nation. I believe that you hit the nail on the head, and that is a big part of the reason that we as Christ followers are not the bright light that Jesus calls us to be in this world! When we confess these sins, God not only breaks our hearts for the things that break His, He then sets us free to be all that He wants us to be in this world for Him.
This was a sermon I needed to hear. Thank you for boldly preaching God’s Word.
As an Elder, fellow shepherd and Christ follower, I join you in confession, repentance and asking for forgiveness.
The Spirit has laid open the dark recesses of my heart that I may be re-formed more into the likeness of Jesus. I rest in His promise “… that He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” and I will seek to lead boldly for Jesus with you Scott.
I have already told you how the power of your teachings through the word of our lord have touched me, hence why I continue to bring my family to Ward, and why Rachel and I became members. Your confession is how my heart has been broken. Once again you captured the very thought of so many of us, and I would like to confess with you. I made one of my own on the bricks given to us last week, and continue to do so to God daily. Thank you once again.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Thanks, Phil, and everyone, for your confirmation that I am not the only one that feels this way. We Christians have made lots of mistakes. I am so glad for grace.
Pastor Scott,
I had the opportunity to read this letter! I was always impressed by your desire to accept people for who they are rather than see them as someone in need of conversion. Please know you have set an example of doing your best to not do what you asked forgiveness for.
Thank you for caring for all in a loving way.
Dear Pastor Scott, We MISS YOU SO much!!. Thank you for the very insightful letter. It really hit home for me, and caused reflection of the times I fell short to bring glory and honor to God in the “VERY” things I felt led to do, to be Jesus’s hands and feet here on earth. I am SO gratful for HIS grace in those times I failed to honor HIM AND SO grateful that he continued to NUDGE me DURING those times in the ways he WANTED me to go. The only true desires of my heart are to live, LOVING in RECKLESS ABANDONMENT. I also feel that if only we knew each others LIFE STORIES then as Christians we WOULD have more emphathy, love, and compassion for the struggles of SO many PEOPLE. I think about the SANDY HOOKS tragedy and how GOD was glorified by the millions that turned to him and prayed for the families of the precious little children, selfless teachers and staff who persished that day.
If all goes well, we will see you the middle of February on our anniversary. Gosh I think it will be our 4th year or will it be 5 years since you left, that we have been celebrating it with you. Wishing you a wonderful birthday and all the things that bring you JOY, and a year filled with blessngs heaped upon blessings.!!! Sally Ann