11 Responses

  1. Kirsten
    Kirsten at |

    Jen,
    Thank you for sharing this powerful testimony. It is an exceptional thing. I would love to know more about the role you played in this. And forgive me if you told me this was happening back in February. I don’t remember you mentioning it, and if you did, I certainly didn’t give it the weight and attention in my mind and memory that it deserved! I’d also love to know how the church responded (or is responding). Kirsten

    Reply
  2. An Unprecedented Public Apology — cafedave.net

    […] What can a pastor say after having an affair, to make things right? Probably nothing. But what should he say? Perhaps something like this. […]

  3. Godly Sorrow Leads To Repentance!
    Godly Sorrow Leads To Repentance! at |
  4. Karen
    Karen at |

    Wow. I remember that day 9 years ago like it was yesterday. Unfortunately I sort of put Robin on a pedestal. Grace was the first church I really ever felt at home at and was new to it all. Having a distant relationship with my own Dad (who cheated on my Mom and left) I looked up to Robin sort of like a Dad even though I didn’t know him personally. I was just another person in the congregation. I had been going there since 96. When the announcement was made about Robin I was so broken hearted. I was reminded that no man is the head of the church, but God is. We were unable to attend the apology since we had already planned to be out of town so it was good to read the apology here. Thanks Jen and thanks Robin.

    Reply
  5. Marsha Judy
    Marsha Judy at |

    I can’t imagine what that meeting must have been like for all concerned. The range of emotions is overwhelming to think about. Praise God that we serve a Christ who died that we might be reconciled to God! You should write a book on the dynamics of true repentance and the role apology plays in Godly sorrow. It would be a help to many of us! Thank you for sharing! Thank Robin for sharing! Thank God for making the foot of the cross a level place to stand regardless of our sin.

    Reply
  6. Sarah
    Sarah at |

    What a blessing to have church leaders that acknowledged the weight of unreconciliation and approached the former pastor regarding it. And then prayed for two years until it came to pass!

    Reply
  7. drjenthomas
    drjenthomas at |

    Thank you for your comments and I welcome your questions.
    Several people have asked me if and when Robin resigned from the pastorate. He did resign from the church as soon as the affair was discovered. He now works at a real estate agent. As you can see, he has a real way with words and I hope he’ll be called upon to share his lessons learned with others- he’s willing to do just that, he says.

    Reply
  8. Anonymous
    Anonymous at |

    JUST FOUND THIS. IM CURIOUS WHY DID HE NOT PURSUE INDIVIDUALS HE KNEW HE HURT THAT WERE VERY CLOSE TO HIM. HIS WAITING FOR THEM TO PURSUE IS WHAT HE ALWAYS DID.

    Reply
  9. Jennifer Thomas
    Jennifer Thomas at |

    Replying to Anonymous (above). It might be helpful for me to add this information: When the forgiveness service was planned, Robin contacted and personally invited many people to attend the service. He offered to meet with them leading up to or following the service.

    Reply
  10. APOLOGY EXPERT NAMES THE BEST AND WORST PUBLIC APOLOGIES OF 2009: POLITICS AND PASSION DRIVE MOST APOLOGIES THIS YEAR | NPS Image

    […] The full text of Phillips’ apology can be found on my blog under “An Unprecedented Public Apology.” […]

  11. Season 2 Episode 5: How to Apologize in the Workplace // Dr. Jennifer Thomas - BCWI's Best

    […] Read Jennifer’s blog post about her former pastor’s public apology […]

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