Lesson 8 - Sorry…

I’ve messed up. We’ve messed up. We’ve too often pursued things in our own strength/with our own wisdom and not God’s, and for sure over the last twenty five years we have got many things wrong. So many.

This is ‘sorry.’ Helen and I want to apologise the most for how our mistakes, insecurities, and passionate determination have at times led to people being hurt, overlooked, and even neglected. Here’s an unvarnished, unequivocal apology if you were one of those whose life has been negatively impacted by our weaknesses. Or our failure to see you, understand you, or really listen.

We’re also sorry that too often we shirked away from offering bold, clear, biblical leadership to the next generation about the beauty of sex within the sanctity of marriage, and the protection this brings from deep damage. More could have been lovingly said, with courage, to teach, warn, and even correct: It’s an honest, heartfelt admission, and we’re putting it here on record.

Life in most forms of community is messy, and for sure we’ve been hurt by others along the way. Misunderstood. Rejected. We have not always dealt with that well, and hurt people often hurt people. Sorry if that was you.

We know soon we’ll all celebrate the many victories over these twenty five years, but it seems only right to admit how our failures have impacted others. Sometimes hope has been deferred. Instead of stirring faith, our mistakes may have dampened it. For this we’re sorry, too.

When all is taken into account, it seems to us that some times we’ve led too forcefully, and at other times not led clearly or firmly enough… No excuses here, this is just a simple reflection in light of the ultimate, redeeming truth: Jesus never fails.

Thank God that trust in Him is never misplaced.

Again, we can be inspired by Paul’s humility:

‘I don’t mean to say I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.’ (Phil 3:12)

The great apostle wasn’t immune to failures and fall-outs; he acknowledges this and also presses on. We’ll do the same.

The lesson:

We get things wrong and when leaders do this it can hurt others deeply. We’re asking for grace for the outworking of this in our tenure at Wellspring, and also pressing on to become more like Jesus. We’re all works in progress, even still.

The prayer:

Gracious God, bring healing to every heart and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. And yes, help us to pursue your perfect kingdom, power and glory in the days ahead. Amen!