Kirk's Proposed Letter of Apology

Kirk C., a former Leading Brother himself, offered a proposed letter of apology for the Leading Brothers to use.

December 27, 2000

"Remember not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Is 43:18

Dear (Wronged one),

The purpose of this letter is to be a tool of r of reconciliation and forgiveness. In considering where we have been my conscience has been pricked by how some were treated in the past, including you. A verse from Ezek. 34 comes to mind speaking of the negative ways that some shepherds take care of sheep, "with force and severity you have dominated them". I am sorry that I allowed you to be treated this way. In my silence I was a guilty accomplice. I have come face to face, in this year 2000, with the utter sinfulness of sin and I am thanking God for such a wonderful Savior as Jesus our Lord.

[Hypothetical example] I can think of several times when you were wronged. Wronged in how we judged you and your mother, allowing false accusations of her. Wronged by meddling with your home life instead of caring for you as one of the Shepherd’s own.

Please forgive any of the hurtful ways you were wronged as you gathered with us. Do consider me as your brother, it is my desire that the Lord truly blesses you and shows you his goodness.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Kirk