tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post1146439530675464182..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Just practicing. . .Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-74145962220646350462013-02-23T14:06:53.455-06:002013-02-23T14:06:53.455-06:00>> At least not in the Calvinist churches I ...>> At least not in the Calvinist churches I attended. <br /><br />That is sad. Calvin offered absolution in his services in Strasbourg. I think a great many Calvinists would have serious problems with the real John Calvin.David Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11966977894876326659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-71593232112817641122013-02-23T10:01:32.715-06:002013-02-23T10:01:32.715-06:00I hear you. I once did just that but sat so often...I hear you. I once did just that but sat so often alone reading devotionally I got out of the habit. I will work on this and hope others will, too...Pastor Petershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-72500980852792403762013-02-23T08:53:34.621-06:002013-02-23T08:53:34.621-06:00I am right there with you, Joe. For me time is a ...I am right there with you, Joe. For me time is a most precious resource. I hate bothering my priest to schedule a confession because I know how busy he is and how much time he puts into the parish. But I must go so I must ask him for his time. He does offer scheduled confessions but only twice a year on Holy Monday and Tuesday. I know he probably doesn't mind carving out the time but I still hate to ask. It would be easier if he scheduled a fixed day and time each week or month. But that could end up being a waste of his time which might be worse.Dixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08511317203353075644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-18436502586024148342013-02-22T22:29:37.351-06:002013-02-22T22:29:37.351-06:00The hardest thing for me is calling the pastor to ...The hardest thing for me is calling the pastor to make an appointment for confession. I do it because I know I need it. But I hate to bother him, because I know how busy he is.<br /><br />It would be great if pastors could have a set hour each week when they will always be available to hear confessions. Late Saturday afternoon would be good, perhaps before or after Vespers. Sure, the traffic might be minimal, but I can't think of anything that would better convey the importance of confession.Joe Herlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-22267727959822136672013-02-22T15:00:15.583-06:002013-02-22T15:00:15.583-06:00Oh, dear. I didn't mean I didn't have rep...Oh, dear. I didn't mean I didn't have repentance! I meant I didn't have the tangible absolution of that which I confessed. At least not in the Calvinist churches I attended. <br /><br />Repentance is a gift to all true Christians. I just never encountered absolution there. (Although I know some Calvinist churches do pronounce a general absolution after corporate confession in their serviceJanis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-26024843334292836392013-02-22T10:44:23.630-06:002013-02-22T10:44:23.630-06:00I don't know how you can be any sort of decent...I don't know how you can be any sort of decent Calvinist without embracing repentance. David Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11966977894876326659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-6122686548651078832013-02-22T09:08:44.402-06:002013-02-22T09:08:44.402-06:00I so appreciate having the opportunity of Confessi...I so appreciate having the opportunity of Confession/Absolution. I appreciate my pastor who is willing to practice it (no pun intended). I appreciate my pastor who believes Scripture and what it says about the Keys. <br /><br />Confession is not telling a man how bad you've been; it's confessing (saying he same thing in Greek) to Christ you repent of how bad you've been. The previous post with the St. John Chrysostom quote about being ashamed of our sin and not our repentence was absolute gold.<br /><br />People have the Law built into them; that's one reason I was a Calvinist for so long. What is not built in is repentance. It is Christ's gift to us.<br /><br />The Lutheran church has confession quite right. Forgiveness at the end; the absolution. No Law continued by penance. This is a blessed gift to the Church, and yes, I wish more people took advantage of it. The relief, freedom and the peace that come from having the man who stands in the place of Christ for us as he pronounces we are clean because of Christ is pure Gospel.Janis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.com