Comments on: C'mon, 'fess up… http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/cmon-fess-up/ A web-based missional intercessory prayer and resource-equipping ministry Sun, 20 Mar 2011 03:45:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: prayeramedic http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/cmon-fess-up/comment-page-1/#comment-190 prayeramedic Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:34:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/cmon-fess-up/#comment-190 Sounds like a Vineyard/Prophetic church to me... Sounds like a Vineyard/Prophetic church to me…

]]> By: prayeramedic http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/cmon-fess-up/comment-page-1/#comment-189 prayeramedic Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:32:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/cmon-fess-up/#comment-189 I see where you're coming from Steve, but it sounds to me like you were exposed to a cell church/G12/accountability type of group -- which is far different. In those groups, the leaders teach that authority trickles down through the groups, and then use that authority to control people. Very bad. In a true setting I am talking about, it is not a program nor an agenda, but rather a means of authentic living and transparency. I'd be willing to bet the church you went to modeled a house church/accountability model, Ed Bevere stuff. Just curious if I'm on the right track of thinking.<br/><br/>Either way, the situation you described is a flagrant abuse of the God-given gift of fellowship, and I'm sorry you had to go through that. I see where you’re coming from Steve, but it sounds to me like you were exposed to a cell church/G12/accountability type of group — which is far different. In those groups, the leaders teach that authority trickles down through the groups, and then use that authority to control people. Very bad. In a true setting I am talking about, it is not a program nor an agenda, but rather a means of authentic living and transparency. I’d be willing to bet the church you went to modeled a house church/accountability model, Ed Bevere stuff. Just curious if I’m on the right track of thinking.

Either way, the situation you described is a flagrant abuse of the God-given gift of fellowship, and I’m sorry you had to go through that.

]]> By: Daltonsbriefs http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/cmon-fess-up/comment-page-1/#comment-188 Daltonsbriefs Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:42:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/cmon-fess-up/#comment-188 Ooo, I'm not as excited about this bandwagon as you and the preacher Dan. <br/><br/>I was personally involved in a church in Valparaiso that prided itself on practicing discipline. In their minds this encouraged confession and fellowship as you suggest. But the exact opposite actually happened.<br/><br/>The church became a weapon in the hands of those that wanted to harm leaders. If you had a beef with someone in the church then you went and complained of sins such as "pride" or "divisiveness" and the church could become your tool of disposition. <br/><br/>Then if the person dared to defend themselves, they were un-accountable and it proved the original charge. Sound like Salem's Witch Trials? It was.<br/><br/>I will agree that in true fellowships, which are probably and sadly smaller than normal churches, there is a chance to be transparent and confesss. But I am one who has been burned at the stake of confessional tribulation by a church. Ooo, I’m not as excited about this bandwagon as you and the preacher Dan.

I was personally involved in a church in Valparaiso that prided itself on practicing discipline. In their minds this encouraged confession and fellowship as you suggest. But the exact opposite actually happened.

The church became a weapon in the hands of those that wanted to harm leaders. If you had a beef with someone in the church then you went and complained of sins such as “pride” or “divisiveness” and the church could become your tool of disposition.

Then if the person dared to defend themselves, they were un-accountable and it proved the original charge. Sound like Salem’s Witch Trials? It was.

I will agree that in true fellowships, which are probably and sadly smaller than normal churches, there is a chance to be transparent and confesss. But I am one who has been burned at the stake of confessional tribulation by a church.

]]> By: prayeramedic http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/cmon-fess-up/comment-page-1/#comment-187 prayeramedic Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:26:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/cmon-fess-up/#comment-187 Yes Jay, corporate confession and absolution is certainly something I miss from the good ol' Lutheran side of things. I think it would be neat to see the sharing of the peace restored to its original intent... you already know my thoughts on the way it is currently practiced, lol. Yes Jay, corporate confession and absolution is certainly something I miss from the good ol’ Lutheran side of things. I think it would be neat to see the sharing of the peace restored to its original intent… you already know my thoughts on the way it is currently practiced, lol.

]]> By: jWinters http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/cmon-fess-up/comment-page-1/#comment-186 jWinters Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:15:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/cmon-fess-up/#comment-186 Nice post Dan,<br/>It's hard to develop a church culture in which people feel free to confess their sins. I'm glad that I'm a pastor of a church with a tradition that holds on to individual confession and absolution. Too often I have heard of stories of people "coming out" with their sins only to be shunned by people in their communities. At least with a pastor you should...emphasis should...be able to confess your sins with no fear.<br/><br/>I have heard, however, some truly amazing stories about public confessions that have made churches bond together and realize their own sins as well as Christ's forgiveness.<br/><br/>One of the neat things about the ancient Christian liturgies I read about way back when was what we call the "sharing of the peace." Today in Lutheran churches it's the "hi, how ya doin'" in the middle of the service before communion - but in the early church it was your time to beg forgiveness of your brother or sister and your chance to forgive your brother or sister. <br/><br/>The sharing of the peace began with the worship leader to the assistant worship leaders, then from them, it went to the rest of the congregation - sort of like "the wave". However, if two people could not say "I forgive you" to each other or be at peace with one another - they were not allowed to take communion.<br/><br/>It would be hard to do that today, but not impossible. It would certainly be interesting.<br/><br/>in Christ,<br/>jW Nice post Dan,
It’s hard to develop a church culture in which people feel free to confess their sins. I’m glad that I’m a pastor of a church with a tradition that holds on to individual confession and absolution. Too often I have heard of stories of people “coming out” with their sins only to be shunned by people in their communities. At least with a pastor you should…emphasis should…be able to confess your sins with no fear.

I have heard, however, some truly amazing stories about public confessions that have made churches bond together and realize their own sins as well as Christ’s forgiveness.

One of the neat things about the ancient Christian liturgies I read about way back when was what we call the “sharing of the peace.” Today in Lutheran churches it’s the “hi, how ya doin’” in the middle of the service before communion – but in the early church it was your time to beg forgiveness of your brother or sister and your chance to forgive your brother or sister.

The sharing of the peace began with the worship leader to the assistant worship leaders, then from them, it went to the rest of the congregation – sort of like “the wave”. However, if two people could not say “I forgive you” to each other or be at peace with one another – they were not allowed to take communion.

It would be hard to do that today, but not impossible. It would certainly be interesting.

in Christ,
jW

]]> By: Tiffany http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/cmon-fess-up/comment-page-1/#comment-185 Tiffany Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:22:00 +0000 http://prayeramedic.com/2008/06/cmon-fess-up/#comment-185 I agree that it is sad that most people don't take time to completely read your blogs...it is a shame, but our society is one of laziness and spoon-feeding.<br/><br/>Anyways, about the book...i would like to read this after i finish my book on discipleship by George Barna. I am also a worthless piece of crap. I WILL SHOUT IT: WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST, I AM THE FILTHIEST OF ALL WHO HAVE WALKED ON THIS EARTH. <br/><br/>It is too bad that the church today discourages true fellowship; and i believe that this is from pride issues (which is what led Lucifer to hell with 1/3 of the angels in heaven).<br/><br/>Remember: repent and confess. There is no shame in eternal life with our savior jesus Christ. I agree that it is sad that most people don’t take time to completely read your blogs…it is a shame, but our society is one of laziness and spoon-feeding.

Anyways, about the book…i would like to read this after i finish my book on discipleship by George Barna. I am also a worthless piece of crap. I WILL SHOUT IT: WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST, I AM THE FILTHIEST OF ALL WHO HAVE WALKED ON THIS EARTH.

It is too bad that the church today discourages true fellowship; and i believe that this is from pride issues (which is what led Lucifer to hell with 1/3 of the angels in heaven).

Remember: repent and confess. There is no shame in eternal life with our savior jesus Christ.

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