I just want to post a public apology for something I said in my sermon on Sunday. In telling a story about some irresponsible behavior from my youth, I described my behavior as “crippled” and “retarded.” Since my teen years, I’ve learned that those words are offensive to many and don’t accurately communicate the worth of people who face physical or mental challenges. I just don’t think it was the right thing to say, so I’m sorry for it.
Of course, the irony is that the morning’s message was all about forgiving people for wrong they’ve done and making amends to those we’ve hurt. So I thank God for his grace in forgiving me for my many, many foibles, and I thank the people in this church for their grace and the encouragement they regularly give me in this ministry. But I also want to make amends to anyone I’ve injured or hurt. If you read this message and were offended by what I said on Sunday, please call or email so I can personally apologize to you.
We live by His grace.
