FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who runs National Forgiveness Week?
No one owns NFW, and no overseeing body controls its use. It is neither a formal program nor a one-size-fits-all model; each organisation should tailor it to their own purpose. This allows for both broad and context-specific applications.
Can I do NFW with a small group?
Yes. National Forgiveness Week can be introduced into any size gathering or community, large or small.
How can I get involved?
If the idea of holding NFW has inspired you, introduce it within your own sphere of influence. Alternatively, encourage traditional elders, church, civic or national leaders to introduce it to a broader audience.
Is this a Christian event only?
No. While NFW is rooted in the Christian tradition, everyone is warmly invited to take part. Its message is for all people, offering a timely opportunity to address the widespread harm caused by unforgiveness.
Can I run NFW at my church autonomously?
Yes. NFW can be purpose built by you and your church and implemented at your discretion. It is always best if your denomination embraces NFW, but it can be done independently, preferably with the endorsement and involvement of your church leadership.
What does it cost?
Holding National Forgiveness Week is free. It can be done without cost, or with only a small budget. It is up to the organisers how much, or little, they are able to outlay, if anything.
Are the annual dates for NFW flexible?
Yes. If the suggested NFW dates do not suit your calendar, choose a more suitable period. Where possible, however, use the assigned dates to align with other participating organisations.
Can we connect with other organisations and nations doing NFW?
Please communicate your intention to implement NFW by emailing us at memo@nationalforgivenessweek.com and we will liaise with you. All participants and contact details will be kept confidential. But we will pass on any relevant and bona fide requests from third parties via email should you so indicate.
Can a NFW team come and do NFW in our nation?
We don’t do NFW for you. A NFW Organising Committee can be created consisting of willing participants in your nation. That local committee can design and implement NFW. We can assist your nation (or church) with counsel and advice drawn from our experience.
How can you assist us to do NFW in our nation?
Our assistance is limited to imparting the vision and helping you to customise NFW to fit your application. Please see the Resources section for what we can offer.
As NFW is an annual event it requires an organising committee to be established on the ground in your nation. This group will be independently responsible for design and management of your nation’s NFW.
Will you finance NFW for our nation?
We are NOT able to provide financial assistance. Some applications require little or no financing; others, such as national rollout, need government to budget and fund the event.
Should I go to my government leaders to ask them to hold NFW in my nation?
If you want to initiate a top-down approach, where church and state cooperate to bring NFW to your entire nation, the government needs to be firmly engaged in planning and initiation from the start. And this requires someone or a church peak body to present the concept of NFW to your government.
Is NFW a reconciliation event?
No. Many governments have turned to reconciliation programs to resolve racial and social challenges in their nations. Although this is commendable, it generally fails to achieve lasting outcomes. Genuine reconciliation can be a product of two-way forgiveness, so forgiveness is the starting point, not reconciliation. Even so, forgiveness does not need to produce reconciliation, but it usually does.
Does NFW use Truth Telling to promote reconciliation?
NFW utilises personal testimonies to teach the principles of forgiveness. Truth Telling can invoke sympathetic responses and greater understanding in listeners. But for those with hurts and offences, it can leave their suffering largely intact, allowing them to remain eternal victims, and missing the heart of the matter.
Does NFW promote social justice and human rights?
NFW promotes forgiveness; and undergirding forgiveness is humility which does not demand its rights. NFW is NOT an opportunity for social activists to promote their wares: it is simply a week where people can reflect on causing and carrying offences, hurts and grudges, and take the opportunity to put them right, restoring relationships and healing hurts. Harmonious relationships birth and maintain harmonious communities.
Can NFW be used by governments for politicking?
No. Although we seek government involvement for a truly national event, wise political leaders will realise the inherent worth of exercising forgiveness in the homes and communities of the nation they lead. It should not become a stage for politics. The fruit of pure relational forgiveness will be self-evident over time.
SOME COMMON ISSUES SURROUNDING PERSONAL FORGIVENESS
Should I forgive a criminal act?
You can forgive the criminal for what they did to you or your loved ones, but the law must still apply to the criminal act. Our judicial system has been established to protect the innocent and punish the offender. Otherwise, our society would crumble into anarchy. But you can forgive the offender for the offence and hurt they caused.
They do not deserve to be forgiven for what they have done!
Some hold unforgiveness in their hearts, thinking it is a just punishment upon the offender. But it only ‘imprisons’ those who refuse to forgive. Forgiveness is a gift you can give to the unworthy and yourself.
What if I just cannot forgive?
You have tried to forgive but you just cannot do it. Perhaps you keep revisiting the hurt as the damage has been too great to ignore. It hurts and you are angry, and it is right to be angry.
These are common complaints when the issue of forgiveness arises. Counsellors tell you that forgiveness will release you, but your heart won’t let go. Psychologists say that forgiveness is an exercise of your will, not your heart. And that may be true initially, but your heart must eventually follow your decision to forgive.
There is a very old story that bears telling in relation to forgiveness. Here is the master key of heartfelt forgiveness for those struggling to forgive …
“A certain king … wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of the servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
“But the servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
(Matthew 18:23-35)