Church Sign Stirs Debate: 'We Love Hurting People'

A Town and Country church pastor took down a sign along New Ballas Road Friday after an effort to provoke thought may have gone too far in the minds of some churchgoers.  

"We Love Hurting People", were the words on the marquee at Parkway United Church of Christ this week, part of a campaign that changes the message each Sunday. Pastor Kevin Cameron took it down a few days ahead of schedule when he heard from people who thought it was confusing enough that it might be taken seriously. Cameron called it "a head scratcher."

"It really makes you stop and think," Cameron said, adding that the intended message uses the word hurting as an adjective, not a verb. "Some churches are actually engaged in hurting people...we have no limits," he said of his own congregation, which welcomes gays, lesbians and those who identify as transgendered.

A previous sign said, "Jesus loves you and your tattoos."

Cameron said the signs are planned several months in advance. He replaced this week's version a few days ahead of schedule with something that might not be as difficult to misconstrue: Listen Laugh Love Learn.