Anyone interested in a confession thread?

[LuxPerpetua]

My last post under "what's the deal with Mormons" got me thinking. Part of walking in Christ and as a part of his body, the church, is maintaining a spirit of humility. Most Protestant denominations do not do the sacrament of confession to priests, but even if they do, I've always felt that the real grace of confession is promoting that mutual spirit of openness and humility that comes when your Christian siblings learn beyond all doubt that you are truly human (and no doubt about it, we all sin) and then love you in your inner contrition promoted by humility, and finally rejoicing with you in your forgiveness in Christ. In this spirit of confession of sins before God and each other, I was wondering, would anyone be interested in a "what's the deal with morons?" confession thread? I would hope that the confession thread would not be used as fodder against anyone but would be a way of us sharing both our humanity with each other and our forgiveness in Christ. I was thinking of something along the lines of: a personal confession of sins on a daily or weekly basis (or whenever you felt the need) and then a personal prayer for your own forgiveness and to help you forgive others. This confessional thread could also be used as a place where you could just pray to God to help you overcome the temptation to sin . . . in other words, I don't want to put guidelines on this thread but I also wouldn't want anything to break the spirit of reverence, openness, or honesty within it.

If you aren't interested, that's okay. This is just something that *I* would personally like. I hate being so private with my fellow siblings in Christ. What do you think?

[kdet]

My last post under "what's the deal with Mormons" got me thinking. Part of walking in Christ and as a part of his body, the church, is maintaining a spirit of humility. Most Protestant denominations do not do the sacrament of confession to priests, but even if they do, I've always felt that the real grace of confession is promoting that mutual spirit of openness and humility that comes when your Christian siblings learn beyond all doubt that you are truly human (and no doubt about it, we all sin) and then love you in your inner contrition promoted by humility, and finally rejoicing with you in your forgiveness in Christ. In this spirit of confession of sins before God and each other, I was wondering, would anyone be interested in a "what's the deal with morons?" confession thread? I would hope that the confession thread would not be used as fodder against anyone but would be a way of us sharing both our humanity with each other and our forgiveness in Christ. I was thinking of something along the lines of: a personal confession of sins on a daily or weekly basis (or whenever you felt the need) and then a personal prayer for your own forgiveness and to help you forgive others. This confessional thread could also be used as a place where you could just pray to God to help you overcome the temptation to sin . . . in other words, I don't want to put guidelines on this thread but I also wouldn't want anything to break the spirit of reverence, openness, or honesty within it.

If you aren't interested, that's okay. This is just something that *I* would personally like. I hate being so private with my fellow siblings in Christ. What do you think?
This is something that I personally have felt in need of for a long time. In my church we advocate accountabilty groups. I haven't found one yet that suited me...they are mostly for the teens right now. I would be extremely grateful for something like you suggested!

[GlowingFirefly]

I may be a teenager, but I would still do this anyway. ;)

Great idea! :)

[LuxPerpetua]

I may be a teenager, but I would still do this anyway. ;)

Great idea! :)


I hope that everyone would feel welcome in the "confessional," regardless of age or sins. I'd really like for it to be ecumenical but I'm not sure if Catholics or Orthodox would be allowed to participate with us.

[GlowingFirefly]

I think they can. They just can't debate. :)

[LuxPerpetua]

I think they can. They just can't debate. :)

Hopefully the only "dialogue" going on would be between the confessor and God anyway.

I'm wondering, though, whether the Orthodox and Catholic churches permit their members to confess with others outside of their church. This is what I'm not sure of. ;)

[WashedClean]

Hello Everyone :wave:

I LOVE this idea!

Since I have very few Christian friends and I'm married to a non-believer, I really need this.

Great idea!

Thanks,

WashedClean :angel:

P.S. - Lux, thanks for "repping" me, your fellow Conectican! I've been reading a lot of your posts and you are such a blessing to me!!:pink:

[LuxPerpetua]

P.S. - Lux, thanks for "repping" me, your fellow Conectican! I've been reading a lot of your posts and you are such a blessing to me!!:pink:

:hug: It's a blessing to have you here! :hug:

Whereabouts in CT do you live? (Feel free to answer via pm, if you're uncomfortable posting it here)

[LuxPerpetua]

no one else?? :(

[LadyEvenstar]

im also a teenager and i think it sounds great.

[Lotar]

I would, but since I'm perfect I have nothing to confess. :P

Sounds like a good idea.

[LuxPerpetua]

Lol, Lotar! I guess you'll go down in the Christian history books. :P

[WashedClean]

:hug: It's a blessing to have you here! :hug:

Whereabouts in CT do you live? (Feel free to answer via pm, if you're uncomfortable posting it here)
I don't mind posting it here. I'm not set up for PM.

I'm temporarily living in Milford while my house in Fairfield is under renovation. I also work in Fairfield.

Did I read on another thread that you recently moved here?

Not trying to change the focus, sorry! :o

WashedClean

[JVAC]

Don't forget there is two parts to it, contrition and absolution!! If you have a confessor you need an absolver, and if there is no ordained clergy here then you can use this absolution:

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God gorgives you all your sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. [all] Amen
Yet if there is ordained clergy in the ranks we can use this absolution:

Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father +*, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. [all] Amen
-James

[LuxPerpetua]

This isn't about absolution, but rather a way of opening up to each other and presenting our sins before God. I think it is a nice way to keep us all humble, and I also don't feel that confession before God and man means just before a priest. If you don't want to participate, that's fine, too. :)

[LuxPerpetua]

I'm sorry for taking so long in replying, Washed Clean :blush:

I live in Willington. We just recently moved here from MS (long way home!) but we may be moving to Ohio soon. How far is Willington/Mansfield from Milford and Fairfield? I really am not good with CT geography (bad, bad me!)

P.S.
Instead of doing just a confession thread, I started Grace Chapel, which can be used to share prayers, hymns, confessions, whatever moves you at the moment. I'd love it if you checked it out, since it needs more posters. :)

[NewCreation517]

Great idea! O- about the Catholic religion... I grew up in a Catholic family and I think that it was ok for you to confess your sins to other people but it didn't "count" I guess you'd say. You'd have to bring it before a priest so you could be absolved. Wellllz- I guess I'll get back on topic. who wants to be the first to confess???

:wave: "me! me!"

ok we have a volunteer- I'll go first.

Earlier this week I had the perfect oppurtunity to witness at school but I was too embarressed to- because my friend was making fun of me for being so into reading the Bible. I felt really horrible afterward- but I know God forgives me. I guess I need to get past the whole "high school scene" (no one from my church goes to my school so it's somewhat difficult to keep strong in my faith and not be ashamed)

phew- good to get that off my chest ;)

Love and Pickles,
Hayley

[LuxPerpetua]

Okay . . . we can make this thread a confession thread. ;)

I need to confess that I heard several people I know gossiping about other people. Although I didn't actively participate in the gossip (and was actually very upset by it), I didn't speak out either. I feel so guilty because now these Christians don't know that what they did was wrong, and as a Christian myself I should have spoken out so they wouldn't do it again. :(

I'm very sorry about this. I'm just so shy and I hate to confront others. I'm definitely working on this and praying about it.