Oct 4, 2008 7:47 pm US/Central
Church Hopes 'Sorry' Campaign Will Attract Youth
SWEDESBORO, N.J. (CBS) ―
A South Jersey church is taking an unusual approach to get more people to come worship. They are hoping a simple "We're Sorry" will go a long way.
"We're Sorry" reads on a highway billboards in neighborhood around the church. A "We're Sorry" sign also hangs outside pastor Mark Barnish's home.
"We're sorry for being judgmental, we're sorry for being too political, we're sorry for being anti-homosexual, we're sorry for being boring," Lloyd said.
It's a campaign pastor Barnish started at his church to get 16 to 30 year-olds to come worship.
Barnish, a husband and father who grew up Catholic, said the book "unChristian" inspired him. In the book, the authors revealed research into what makes young people uncomfortable in the Christian faith.
Barnish said his only goal is to create a warm, welcoming, compassionate and accepting church.
"Come as you are and not you're unacceptable as is," Barnish said.
The first Sunday of the "We're Sorry" series attracted 50 more faithful than usual, one a mother who lost her son to AIDS.
"People are thankful for the church saying 'I can be myself,'" Barnish said.
Crossbridge Community Church was founded in 2005 as non-denomination Christian ministry. It doesn't have a building of its own, instead the 120 parishioners at Kingsway Regional High School auditorium every Sunday.
The "We're Sorry" campaign has not been immune to resistance. Homosexuality is the hot button topic and some of their signs have been stolen.
"Although it's a sin, we need to show compassion toward homosexuals and lesbians, they are welcome to come to church like anyone else," Barnish said.
Call it unique, inviting, controversial -- "We're Sorry" -- is getting people "talking" about God.
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