There comes a time when you know even doing the right thing likely won’t make a difference. There comes a time when your efforts for positive influence will be lost on those set in their ways and refusing of change.

But for a rare few, doing what’s right means everything, even if the results are not what everyone hopes.

Such is the case with the recent gun buyback sponsored by Macedonia Apostolic Church and Bishop Robert Pettus.

In exchange for turning in an operational handgun, semi-automatic or automatic weapon, the church would give $100. But for all practical purposes, the guns that were bought back this past weekend — a total of 37 — are not guns the ones owned by area gang members or criminals.

But while the efforts of Bishop Pettus and his church may not have an immediate impact on the crime rate in Selma or the rate of gun-related incidents, they are doing what is desperately needed and that is setting the example.

They are showing their community that the actions of a church do not need to be just on Sunday or end at the church door. And, Selma, for all its warts, is a place that is blessed to have churches that are as active in the community as Macedonia Apostolic Church.

In no way should we ever dismiss the results of the last week’s gun buyback.

Would everyone liked to have more guns off the streets? Yes, but there were not enough funds to buy back all of the guns people wanted to turn in. Maybe there will be next time.

The impact of Saturday’s gun buyback may not immediately show up, but the example set forth by Macedonia Apostolic Church and Bishop Pettus will have an impact for a long time to come.