An Open Letter of Apology

To my dear brothers and sisters, who are conservative evangelical in faith, 

I am sorry for the pain you are going through when you see so-called liberal Christians appear to abandon the teachings of the scriptures you hold to so dearly.  I understand the sense of anguish as people turn their back on the Word you love so dearly.  I am sorry that I have not stood up and publicly affirmed my commitment to the teachings of God’s Holy Word and I can see the hurt you feel as you watch the world around turn its back on the life-giving streams of God’s holiness and love.

To my dear brothers and sisters, who call themselves progressive in faith,

I am sorry for the pain you are going through as you find your views shunned and treated with contempt by other Christians, who sometimes go as far as to describe you as heretics or of another religion.  I understand the sense of anguish as you see the debate and arguments take the place of love and social justice.  I am sorry that I have not stood up and publicly affirmed my commitment to showing God’s love and compassion to the poor, abused and marginalised of this world, and I can see the hurt you feel as you watch the world around you judge your faith by the words of others you disagree with.

To my dear friends of this world, who look on at our Church,

I am sorry for the hypocrisy you see and the love that is preached, but rarely shown.  I understand how you wonder why we would want you to come and worship a God that seems full of judgement and rules.  I am sorry that you feel at times ignored as we busy ourselves with our cliques, and at other times bashed by our Bibles or better-than-thou attitudes.  I am ashamed that you see how we judge you for having less compassion, less love, less integrity and less honour than the so called Holy few.

To my best friend in the world,

I can barely look you in the eye when I think of the apologies I must give.  You walked this earth 2000 years ago and showed us a better way to live.  So we tried to stone you.  You sat among us and shared food with us, and we tried to trap you with words.  You healed us and loved us and provided for our needs… so we crucified you.  You gave us new life and called us to follow you and share this love with others.  You give your Spirit to live in us as counsellor and guide.  And still we fight.

I am sorry.