Does your church offer Private Confession?

[Confess]

I am interested in all Lutheran churches.

Does your congregation publically offer Private Confession and Absolution?

[DaRev]

I offer private confession and absolution, but not many have interest in it. This year on the Easter Vigil, I am going to set specific times for private absolution. I am hoping that this will "reintroduce" the practice in this congregation.

[C.F.W. Walther]

Would you make a private confession to Kieshnick?

[Confess]

Would you make a private confession to Kieshnick?
I am not in fellowship with the man.

[DaRev]

Would you make a private confession to Kieshnick?

If you're talking to me...

The answer is no, for two reasons.

1) He is not my pastor.

2) As a pastor, we are strongly discouraged from confessing our sins to our ecclesiastical superiors. At our circuit conferences, private confession is always offered for us prior to the communion service. But the circuit counsellor does not hear confessions. One of the other pastors in the circuit hears confessions and pronounces holy absolution.

[DaRev]

I am not in fellowship with the man.

Your icon says "Lutheran" but next to your character you have a Monstrance which is used for worshipping the communion bread. I am curious as to what Lutheran church body you are a member of.

[dinkime]

our Pastor will do it, but he does not have set times...

[Edial]

...
2) As a pastor, we are strongly discouraged from confessing our sins to our ecclesiastical superiors. At our circuit conferences, private confession is always offered for us prior to the communion service. But the circuit counsellor does not hear confessions. One of the other pastors in the circuit hears confessions and pronounces holy absolution.
This is interesting.

What is the reason pastoral confession is discouraged to his superiors?

Thanks,
Ed

[Confess]

Your icon says "Lutheran" but next to your character you have a Monstrance which is used for worshipping the communion bread. I am curious as to what Lutheran church body you are a member of.
I thought that was a baptismal font. I guess I will get rid of it. :eek:

I created that Character to quickly I think.

And BTW: My pastor is apart of ELDONA.ORG It is made up of LCMS pastors who left the LCMS in recent elections.

[C.F.W. Walther]

I thought that was a baptismal font. I guess I will get rid of it. :eek:

I created that Character to quickly I think.

And BTW: My pastor is apart of ELDONA.ORG It is made up of LCMS pastors who left the LCMS in recent elections.Great---Another splinter group--that makes it 21 we have now. Nothing aginst ELDONA but there seems to be so many assoc or synods that are so close in theology that it seems silly to argue the differances. They seem miniscule. Next thing you know we will have each church form it's own individual synod.

[Confess]

Great---Another splinter group--that makes it 21 we have now. Nothing aginst ELDONA but there seems to be so many assoc or synods that are so close in theology that it seems silly to argue the differances. They seem miniscule. Next thing you know we will have each church form it's own individual synod.
Radido,
The LCMS was formed from many smaller groups. When hard times hit the faith and others leave, in time they unite just as the LCMS did with all those other splitters.

[Jim47]

WELS here. Yes, our Pastor reminded us in bible class yesterday that he would hear private confession if we needed it.

[LutherNut]

And BTW: My pastor is apart of ELDONA.ORG It is made up of LCMS pastors who left the LCMS in recent elections.

I think that ELDoNA, of all the Lutheran "Evangelical Catholic" micro-synods, is the closest to traditional Confessional Lutheranism. Too bad that there are only 5 congregations in the diocese. This one could prove to be valuable if the LCMS doesn't get its act together soon.

[LutherNut]

Radido,
The LCMS was formed from many smaller groups. When hard times hit the faith and others leave, in time they unite just as the LCMS did with all those other splitters.

That's not exactly accurate. The LCMS (originally called the "German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States") was founded by Saxon German emmigrants. Walther did have discussions with other smaller groups in places like Ohio, Iowa, Buffalo, etc., but they weren't necessarily "splitters" from other church bodies. Two examples that are clearly evident today are the English District of the LCMS, originally the English Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri and Other States; and the SELC District of the LCMS, which was originally the Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church. These were not splitter groups but rather independant Lutheran church bodies which formed seperately and later merged with LCMS.

[LilLamb219]

I thought it was a baptismal font too when I first saw it LOL

Yes, our pastor offers private confession/absolution to anyone who desires it. Not too many take him up on the offer and I confess that I haven't done so either.

[Melancthon]

My pastor offers private confession before the worship service, and it is a great comfort to me to know that when I am burdened by my sins I can go to my pastor and have that sin that is particularly burdening me taken away.

[Edial]

I am interested in all Lutheran churches.

Does your congregation publically offer Private Confession and Absolution?
To the churches that offer Private Confession and Absolution ... does Pastor encourage your members to confess one's sins directly to God outside of Pastor's mediation and absolution?

Thanks,
Ed

[Confess]

To the churches that offer Private Confession and Absolution ... does Pastor encourage your members to confess one's sins directly to God outside of Pastor's mediation and absolution?

Thanks,
Ed
Lutherans are encouraged to confess sins and are not required by law to confess their sins to a pastor. Confession of sins is apart of the Liturgy.

We understand confession of sins to the pastor as confessing sins directly to God himself.

God called the pastor to speak his words of forgiveness to all. Just as God called the pastor to speak the law and gospel, so too can he tell us that we are forgiven our sins.

The pastor is no different then the OT prophets who spoke on behalf of God.

Just to be clear. The pastor is not mediating in the sense that he will pray for your forgiveness.

[CaliforniaJosiah]

Great---Another splinter group--that makes it 21 we have now. Nothing aginst ELDONA but there seems to be so many assoc or synods that are so close in theology that it seems silly to argue the differances. They seem miniscule. Next thing you know we will have each church form it's own individual synod.


:)

[CaliforniaJosiah]

My impression is that the practice of private confession/absolution has largely fallen from use among most Lutherans - although pastors are more than willing (and occasionally - very occasionally someone does so request, often a convert from Catholicism).

It's not anything Lutherans require or forbid. It's adiaphora.

[Edial]

Lutherans are encouraged to confess sins and are not required by law to confess their sins to a pastor. Confession of sins is apart of the Liturgy.

We understand confession of sins to the pastor as confessing sins directly to God himself.

God called the pastor to speak his words of forgiveness to all. Just as God called the pastor to speak the law and gospel, so too can he tell us that we are forgiven our sins.

The pastor is no different then the OT prophets who spoke on behalf of God.

Just to be clear. The pastor is not mediating in the sense that he will pray for your forgiveness.
I think that confession to one's own Pastor plays a different role than some might think.

By confessing to one in authority over you, one in a sense takes an opportunity to have him who is in authority to pray over you.

I found that to be effective in resolving various transgressions that one is involved in.
Especially if these involve demonic interferences.

And on the other hand, if the Pastor does not have a good and pure relationship with a confessing congregant, I do not think it would be a good idea for a private confession.

Pastors are people who are put in authority.
And like any person they need to examine their personal attitude towards the congregant and it is hard to separate personal dislike towards the person from an objective duty of a Pastor.

Also, concerning Pastors being related to prophets of the OT.
I disagree with that analogy. :)

Prophets of the OT are defined as the ones that are correct 100% of the time. If one makes even one mistake he is considered to be a false prophet.

And Pastors do make mistakes. :)
I would rather see them as the ones who are put in authority over the congregation whose prayers are more effective from an authoritative perspective than from a prophetic one.

An example of Moses praying for his people comes to mind.
Yet Moses himself made some mistakes and was corrected by some.

Thanks,:)
Ed

[DaRev]

Yet Moses himself made some mistakes and was corrected by some.

So would you consider Moses a "false prophet"?

[Edial]

So would you consider Moses a "false prophet"?
Moses was a prophet ...
DT 34:10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, ...

And he never uttered anything that was wrong.

However, some of his actions were wrong.

(Interesting story concerning Moses and his father-in-law Jethro) ...

EX 18:13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?"
EX 18:15 Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws."
EX 18:17 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21 But select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."
EX 18:24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25 He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26 They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.
EX 18:27 Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.

Thanks,
Ed

[Confess]

Ed,
Prophet were people just as much as pastors are people. They both were called by God to speak on behalf of God. They both have a sinful nature. They both make mistakes. They both must examine their own hearts and priorities.

A person who goes to their Father Confessor does not go to just anyone. They go to a man they trust, a man that has proven himself a true teacher. They go to the man whom they know confesses the truth that is contained in Scripture. They go to a man whose life is in submission to God and his word.

I have confessed to a pastor that I did not trust. When I did that, I refused to go into details pertaining to particular sin. Does this mean that the sins that I confessed were not forgiven? Absolutely not.

I came to that pastor because he was the only pastor to go to, I recited the basics, "Pastor here my confession...I have sinned in thought word and deed, I have not loved God with my whole heart, nor my neighbor as myself...etc"

You can find it here. Scroll to page 86. http://lsb.cph.org/samples/LSB_Sampler.pdf

As you will note, there is nothing personal in the order of private confession and absolution.

My thinking is that you add too much sin in with confession. You seem to have this negativity about it that something bad will happen. That is understandable and why many people have a negative attitude or a fear towards confessing to a pastor.

My suggestion is to find a pastor whom you trust. God appointed men to physically be there for us to proclaim the Good New of Jesus Christ, within that Good News is the forgiveness of your sins. If you attend a liturgical worship setting, then you have done corporate confession and received absolution from the pastor.

I encourage you to research the issue.

[JoyforJESUS]

I offer private confession and absolution, but not many have interest in it. This year on the Easter Vigil, I am going to set specific times for private absolution. I am hoping that this will "reintroduce" the practice in this congregation.
Bravo! My pastor is willing to do so. And after my son committed suicide I asked for absolution. No it wasn't my fault, but I felt that there were things that I had failed on as a mom. It helped me a lot.

I would not guess that as Lutherans you will have many takeres, but that would depend on your congregation. Traditional Lutherans unfortuantly do not look upon it as necessary.

I would sugest that your Lenten walk cover it. just my opinion

[Edial]

Thanks for your thoughtful response.
Ed,
Prophet were people just as much as pastors are people. They both were called by God to speak on behalf of God. They both have a sinful nature. They both make mistakes. They both must examine their own hearts and priorities.
The OT prophets were under a different guidelines than Pastors are.
Whatever they spoke was directly from God.
Today's Pastors do not claim such infallibility.
Both do have a sinful nature, yet prophets are different in the context of uttering the message from God.

I would be interested hearing some opinions on that from Pastors in this forum.

A person who goes to their Father Confessor does not go to just anyone. They go to a man they trust, a man that has proven himself a true teacher. They go to the man whom they know confesses the truth that is contained in Scripture. They go to a man whose life is in submission to God and his word.
OK.
I would also add that one goes to the one who was put in authority over you.

I have confessed to a pastor that I did not trust. When I did that, I refused to go into details pertaining to particular sin. Does this mean that the sins that I confessed were not forgiven? Absolutely not.

I came to that pastor because he was the only pastor to go to, I recited the basics, "Pastor here my confession...I have sinned in thought word and deed, I have not loved God with my whole heart, nor my neighbor as myself...etc"
I understand that, and it is the point that I am addressing.
If the Pastor is not a trustworthy man, one could just confess it to Christ.
The sins would be forgiven as effectively.

Also, one could confess sins to each other and the point of the verse below is that a prayer of the one who is righteous is effective in addressing the negative consequesnces of a particlular sin, such as an illness.

JAS 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

You could also note that one could confess to each other and not just one way.

You can find it here. Scroll to page 86. http://lsb.cph.org/samples/LSB_Sampler.pdf

As you will note, there is nothing personal in the order of private confession and absolution..
I appreciate the link and I added it to my favorites.

I also agree that there is nothing personal in that text concerning a private confession to the Pastor.

But what I am saying is that one could be forgiven of one's sin as effectively if one confesses it to Christ directly or even to each other.

My reason why I have private confessions is that the Pastor would sincerely pray for me, which I appreciate.
(There are unpleasant consequences to sins :). And they do hurt).


My thinking is that you add too much sin in with confession. You seem to have this negativity about it that something bad will happen. That is understandable and why many people have a negative attitude or a fear towards confessing to a pastor.
Let me share with you a true story.
A friend of mine (in his 80's :)) told me that.

He is a Methodist who converted from Catholicism long time ago.

Roman Catholics had a regular process of private confession.
One week his relative (a young girl of 12 at the time) needed to go to a private confession to a Priest.
But she could not think of one thing to confess. :)

So she made one sin up.

She "cofessed" that she stole a quarter from her father's pocket. :)
And the Priests responded "I knew that my child. Go and do this and that ..."

The role of a Pastor is to declare God's forgiveness, nothing more.
And God forgives any believer regardless of his or her private confession.


My suggestion is to find a pastor whom you trust. God appointed men to physically be there for us to proclaim the Good New of Jesus Christ, within that Good News is the forgiveness of your sins. If you attend a liturgical worship setting, then you have done corporate confession and received absolution from the pastor.

I encourage you to research the issue.
I do have a Pastor whom I trust.

I asked to speak with him and he offered to come over to my house.

I just laid it out in front of him. :)

He prayed with me and added that his opinion of me did not change.

After that the "side effects" of that sin slowly went away.

Pastors are people and they need to earn the trust of the congregants.

I have seen and heard of Pastors that almost blackmailed congragants or expected them to take their side in cases of church splits.

Pastors are people that are put in authority of us.
But not any Pastor is qualified to hear truly private confessions.

You and I do not dosagree.
I just look at it from another angle.

Thanks,
Ed

[TheCosmicGospel]

Why are you turning to private confession? Another product of the High church movement. Many of the things they do just don't fit in with the needs of the congregation. Yet the congregation is forced to oblige. No wonder their efforts to also push private confession is not well received.

Pastors are always to be available for council and advice. Why not leave it at that? No, we now offer private confession and have times for you to sign up. What an awkward approach to ministry.

Years ago communicants would "announce" their intent to commune by stopping by and talking to the pastor. Before my time mind you. Now we take care of it with the communion card. And here is the opportunity to mark the box, "visit by pastor requested".

"Pastor posted private confession at 10am. Let's see who's going." Might as well have altar calls. Who wants to come up here and tell us about Jesus or confess your sins before everybody? I see little gain in this and it is wide open to abuse.

These are just concerns I would have to overcome in offering private confession. First it ws communion every Sunday. Then it was private confession. What's next St. Benedictine?

Peace and Joy,
Cosmic

[LilLamb219]

Cosmic, you're turning it all into Law talk. There is no one demanding that private confession be taken. It's not being forced upon anyone. Scheduling times is a benefit for a busy pastor...most pastors I know are extremely busy people.

[Confess]

Why are you turning to private confession? Another product of the High church movement. Many of the things they do just don't fit in with the needs of the congregation. Yet the congregation is forced to oblige. No wonder their efforts to also push private confession is not well received.

Pastors are always to be available for council and advice. Why not leave it at that? No, we now offer private confession and have times for you to sign up. What an awkward approach to ministry.

Years ago communicants would "announce" their intent to commune by stopping by and talking to the pastor. Before my time mind you. Now we take care of it with the communion card. And here is the opportunity to mark the box, "visit by pastor requested".

"Pastor posted private confession at 10am. Let's see who's going." Might as well have altar calls. Who wants to come up here and tell us about Jesus or confess your sins before everybody? I see little gain in this and it is wide open to abuse.

These are just concerns I would have to overcome in offering private confession. First it ws communion every Sunday. Then it was private confession. What's next St. Benedictine?

Peace and Joy,
Cosmic
Wow.

What you wrote sounds very low church. Private C & A as well as every Sunday Communion are not new things as you state. They are very historic. Luther did it, does this make him bad? The burden of proof goes to those who stopped this practice. Why stop it?

I go to private C & A for the same reasons why I hug my children ... because I can. I find it rewarding, renewing, I feel stronger and closer to God. I LOVE being forgiven of my sins. I find it amazing how I have changed since I first began. I used to never think of my sins or compare myself to the 10 commandments. Through the grace of God, since beginning, I have seen how my whole family has grown stronger in our bond and in our faith.

Private C & A is a family event just as eating dinner or going bowling. It is what we do.

As for every Sunday Communion. It was a terrible shame that it was neglected to the point of removing it every Sunday. Who would despise receiving such an intimate thing as receiving forgiveness through Christ's body and blood?

Oh, sure ... Some say that having it every Sunday would stop it from being "special".

I am sorry, but that has to be the most insane thing ever said. Maybe we should do the same with Sermons as well. Communion should never be thought of as "special", rather it should be considered "needed" for who doesn't need Christ?

[DaRev]

Weekly communion and private confession/absolution were regular aspects of the Lutheran church until relatively recently. The inundation of American protestantism into the Lutheran church has had a lot to do with abolishing these practices.

What the Lutheran Church needs (in order to survive) is to get back to its roots and traditional practices, including weekly communion and private confession/absolution. Without it, we're no different (practically speaking) than the Baptists.
I think that any Lutheran who thinks otherwise should brush up on their Lutheran history.

[DaRev]

Thanks for your thoughtful response...

Ed,

I would suggest that you pick up a copy of "Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation" from CPH and read the sections concerning confession.

[Confess]

Weekly communion and private confession/absolution were regular aspects of the Lutheran church until relatively recently. The inundation of American protestantism into the Lutheran church has had a lot to do with abolishing these practices.

What the Lutheran Church needs (in order to survive) is to get back to its roots and traditional practices, including weekly communion and private confession/absolution. Without it, we're no different (practically speaking) than the Baptists.
I think that any Lutheran who thinks otherwise should brush up on their Lutheran history.
http://www.wpclipart.com/recreation/sports/cheerleader_2.png

hehehehehehe

[DaRev]

Why are you turning to private confession? Another product of the High church movement. Many of the things they do just don't fit in with the needs of the congregation. Yet the congregation is forced to oblige. No wonder their efforts to also push private confession is not well received.

No one is forcing anyone to do anything. Where do you get this from? Private absolution is a very comforting thing to many people. I partake of it when offered at our circuit conferences.

Pastors are always to be available for council and advice. Why not leave it at that? No, we now offer private confession and have times for you to sign up. What an awkward approach to ministry.

How is that awkward??:scratch:

Years ago communicants would "announce" their intent to commune by stopping by and talking to the pastor. Before my time mind you. Now we take care of it with the communion card. And here is the opportunity to mark the box, "visit by pastor requested".

That, to me, is an awkward approach to confession. "Let's take away the opportunity for people to approach their pastor." I would much rather have a personal relationship with my parishioners than wait for one to put a check mark on a card.

"Pastor posted private confession at 10am. Let's see who's going." Might as well have altar calls. Who wants to come up here and tell us about Jesus or confess your sins before everybody? I see little gain in this and it is wide open to abuse.

Private confession is just that - private. Where do you get "confess your sins before everybody"??
And how is it "wide open for abuse"?? :scratch:

First it ws communion every Sunday.
Traditional Lutheran practice.
Then it was private confession.
Another traditional Lutheran practice.

What's next St. Benedictine?
:doh: :doh: :doh:

I don't have any clue where you are coming from.

[Edial]

Ed,

I would suggest that you pick up a copy of "Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation" from CPH and read the sections concerning confession.
At this time I would rather hear your opinion to my question in this thread ...

... 2) As a pastor, we are strongly discouraged from confessing our sins to our ecclesiastical superiors. At our circuit conferences, private confession is always offered for us prior to the communion service. But the circuit counsellor does not hear confessions. One of the other pastors in the circuit hears confessions and pronounces holy absolution.

This is interesting.

What is the reason pastoral confession is discouraged to his superiors?

Thanks,
Ed

[Edial]

Weekly communion and private confession/absolution were regular aspects of the Lutheran church until relatively recently. The inundation of American protestantism into the Lutheran church has had a lot to do with abolishing these practices.

What the Lutheran Church needs (in order to survive) is to get back to its roots and traditional practices, including weekly communion and private confession/absolution. Without it, we're no different (practically speaking) than the Baptists.
I think that any Lutheran who thinks otherwise should brush up on their Lutheran history.
History might have one place in one's thoughts, yet the current reality another.

Many do not trust their own Pastor with private issues of one's life.

Some do and that is great. If they wish for a private confession - bless you.

However, to me personally, private confession includes a true disclosure of one's private transgressions, not just a visit for a proclamation of a private absolution to a private confession that is made in private, yet in general terms.

Thanks,
Ed

[Edial]

Why are you turning to private confession? Another product of the High church movement. Many of the things they do just don't fit in with the needs of the congregation. Yet the congregation is forced to oblige. No wonder their efforts to also push private confession is not well received.

Pastors are always to be available for council and advice. Why not leave it at that? No, we now offer private confession and have times for you to sign up. What an awkward approach to ministry.

Years ago communicants would "announce" their intent to commune by stopping by and talking to the pastor. Before my time mind you. Now we take care of it with the communion card. And here is the opportunity to mark the box, "visit by pastor requested".

"Pastor posted private confession at 10am. Let's see who's going." Might as well have altar calls. Who wants to come up here and tell us about Jesus or confess your sins before everybody? I see little gain in this and it is wide open to abuse.

These are just concerns I would have to overcome in offering private confession. First it ws communion every Sunday. Then it was private confession. What's next St. Benedictine?

Peace and Joy,
Cosmic
What I found is that any tradition (however well-intended it might be) somehow loses it's beneficial edge as times pass.

Scriptures however always stand the test of times.

I am not saying that all traditions outside of the Scriptures are bad, just are vulnerable to abuse.

Thanks,
Ed

[DaRev]

At this time I would rather hear your opinion to my question in this thread ...

It's actually for the benefit of the ecclesiatical superior.

[DaRev]

History might have one place in one's thoughts, yet the current reality another.

Many do not trust their own Pastor with private issues of one's life.

Some do and that is great. If they wish for a private confession - bless you.

However, to me personally, private confession includes a true disclosure of one's private transgressions, not just a visit for a proclamation of a private absolution to a private confession that is made in private, yet in general terms.

Thanks,
Ed

The Rite of Individual Confession and Absolution used in the LCMS has within it the opportunity to disclose any sins that may be particularly troubling to the penitent, but there is no obligation for the penitent to disclose anything specific. They may not have any partiocularly troubling sins that they would want to confess at that time. Without the obligation to confess something specific (such is the case in the RCC), there is no need to "make something up." God knows what our sins are and we need to hear Christ's words of forgiveness.

Individual Confession and Absolution is for the comfort of the penitent who needs to hear the words "your sins are forgiven" spoken to them personally.

[Edial]

It's actually for the benefit of the ecclesiatical superior.
What is that benefit?

[Edial]

The Rite of Individual Confession and Absolution used in the LCMS has within it the opportunity to disclose any sins that may be particularly troubling to the penitent, but there is no obligation for the penitent to disclose anything specific. They may not have any partiocularly troubling sins that they would want to confess at that time. Without the obligation to confess something specific (such is the case in the RCC), there is no need to "make something up." God knows what our sins are and we need to hear Christ's words of forgiveness.

Individual Confession and Absolution is for the comfort of the penitent who needs to hear the words "your sins are forgiven" spoken to them personally.
Agree. :)

It is just for me personally, a private confession is something that is involved with open disclosure of private matters (transgressions).
Otherwise, the general confession and absolution play the same role in my understanding of the divine methodology of proclamation of the forgiveness, as compared to a private confession that is made in general words.

Thanks, :)
Ed

[TheCosmicGospel]

I think it is an awkward approach to ministry to post times for private confession. It is next to an altar call. People are supposed to be coming and they are not coming. Without realizing it, there is pressure by your expectations that they should take advantage of it. Otherwise you would not be offering it.

Another thought. Private confession should be available as needed, at all times. Now a pastor is noodling waiting for someone to stop by and offer them private confession. Yes, very awkward. So no one comes. Now you wonder, "just how Lutheran are these people? why don't they come?" Then there is the issue of trust. What happens when that level needed has not been reached? Is posting a time gong to cure that? Traditionally Lutherans have done that, ah, more guilt implied for now they are not Lutherans because they don't trust the pastor to come to his time of private confession.

Having expectations is one thing. Having thought them through may be another.

Now if all the brothers in the circuit were offering it and I wasn't, what would all the others feel? I am not Lutheran enough to offer it, I am hiding something? I see this as nothing but a can of worms. If my people need to see me, they can just let me now ahead of time.

Peace and Joy,
Cosmic

[LilLamb219]

Cosmic, you wrote:
I think it is an awkward approach to ministry to post times for private confession. It is next to an altar call.

Could you clarify that for me? I don't see the connection to the two at all.

[DaRev]

I think it is an awkward approach to ministry to post times for private confession. It is next to an altar call. People are supposed to be coming and they are not coming. Without realizing it, there is pressure by your expectations that they should take advantage of it. Otherwise you would not be offering it.

Another thought. Private confession should be available as needed, at all times. Now a pastor is noodling waiting for someone to stop by and offer them private confession. Yes, very awkward. So no one comes. Now you wonder, "just how Lutheran are these people? why don't they come?" Then there is the issue of trust. What happens when that level needed has not been reached? Is posting a time gong to cure that? Traditionally Lutherans have done that, ah, more guilt implied for now they are not Lutherans because they don't trust the pastor to come to his time of private confession.

Having expectations is one thing. Having thought them through may be another.

Now if all the brothers in the circuit were offering it and I wasn't, what would all the others feel? I am not Lutheran enough to offer it, I am hiding something? I see this as nothing but a can of worms. If my people need to see me, they can just let me now ahead of time.

Peace and Joy,
Cosmic

Perhaps it could be that they don't know that they can come for privare absolution at any time. Perhaps they need to be told that I'm available at a certain time for them to come.

I believe, as do most of my associates, that it should be available at scheduled times on a regular basis so people will get into the habit of taking advantage of this gift. (Who said anything about "signing up" for it??)
My predecessors did not offer it, thus the people here have not been exposed to it for several years. What a shame.

You have compared private absolution to an altar call. There is no comparison. Altar calls are very public, while private absolution is private. Your connection makes no sense.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with offering set times for individual absolution, especially during Lent. It has nothing at all to do with being "Lutheran enough." (Not sure where you got that, either.) It has everything to do with being a sinner.

[QuiltAngel]

The question at the top is if your church publically offers Private Confession. I am not sure what is meant by that to be honest. If you mean make it known that private confession is available, then I would say there is no formal announcement of that.

Yet, people do have that opportunity whenever they desire to do that. I am sure that there are people who do.

As far as what makes up private confession, I refer you to the Small Catechism for that. I think the Catechism is very clear. Also, the LSB has a format for doing the private confession, which I encourage you to look at.

In the past, the Pastor has made it known that he would be available for private confession. I can not tell you how many took advantage of that as it really is none of my business.

[Studeclunker]

I can not tell you how many took advantage of that as it really is none of my business.

Well said! Truely the heart of private, in private confession.

[TheCosmicGospel]

The pastor has always been available for private confession. That is why this whole thing throws me a little. "Pastor will now be available for private confession." As DaRev stated, his predecessor did not offer this. Maybe not published, or announced, or set. But I am sure he was available and those that wanted could have had private confession.

It just seems curious to stress something that has probably taken naturally before. To post times and places is next to an altar call IMO. Yes, they are different in form. Psychological pressure in both is the same. That was the comparison I was thinking of.

Maybe you can tell us more on how you are introducing this "innovation" to your congregation. Tell me how to avoid my concerns with it. That would be fine. Is everyone in your Circuit doing it? Crossing swords yet with those who don't?

Peae and Joy,
Cosmic

[DaRev]

The pastor has always been available for private confession. That is why this whole thing throws me a little. "Pastor will now be available for private confession." As DaRev stated, his predecessor did not offer this. Maybe not published, or announced, or set. But I am sure he was available and those that wanted could have had private confession.

I'm sure that is true. But I am equally sure that there are mant who would like to take advantage of this gift of the Holy Spirit but are not sure when they can, or when I'm available. Having a time set aside where I will be available for nothing but individual absolution could be very comforting and convenient. I still don't see your objection to this.

It just seems curious to stress something that has probably taken naturally before. To post times and places is next to an altar call IMO. Yes, they are different in form. Psychological pressure in both is the same. That was the comparison I was thinking of.

I don't see where any "psychological pressure" is involved at all. Either folks will avail themselves to my time or they will not. No one is expected, no one is obligated. Individual absolution is very comforting. We all need to hear those words of Christ spoken to us. There may be some who wish to hear them at other than Sunday morning in fornt of everyone else. There may be some who wish to be comforted that they are personally, individually forgiven of their sin by Christ. Why would you deny that comfort to people?

Maybe you can tell us more on how you are introducing this "innovation" to your congregation. Tell me how to avoid my concerns with it. That would be fine. Is everyone in your Circuit doing it? Crossing swords yet with those who don't?

I don't see your "concerns" as valid. They make no sense to me. The others in my circuit are not responsible for my flock. I am.
Besides, many in the circuit offer it during Holy Week and have for a long time.

[C.F.W. Walther]

The pastor has always been available for private confession. That is why this whole thing throws me a little. "Pastor will now be available for private confession." As DaRev stated, his predecessor did not offer this. Maybe not published, or announced, or set. But I am sure he was available and those that wanted could have had private confession.

It just seems curious to stress something that has probably taken naturally before. To post times and places is next to an altar call IMO. Yes, they are different in form. Psychological pressure in both is the same. That was the comparison I was thinking of.

Maybe you can tell us more on how you are introducing this "innovation" to your congregation. Tell me how to avoid my concerns with it. That would be fine. Is everyone in your Circuit doing it? Crossing swords yet with those who don't?

Peae and Joy,
CosmicYou forget, or maybe don't know, but every congregation in LCMS is autonomous. The spiritual welfare is subject to the shephard's descretion according to the Word.