For most of my life, confession was a deeply personal experience – between God and myself. When I was a teen, and in a period of rapid spiritual growth, my youth pastors served as a place to be completely open about my sin and find confession. God’s in the process of enlarging my understanding.
It doesn’t take much to find someone who has been hurt by the church. Power dynamics, bullying, money, integrity issues, and so much more mar a community that is called to represent the best of the Kingdom. Like any other community, the church is full of fallen, sinful people. What would change if we owned that? If corporate confession and repentance became a regular part of worship and community?
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” – Brennan Manning
Every person and system on this side of the new creation is going to carry brokenness. If we, as a people, can acknowledge that then we can foster a place where repentance and confession become a core part of our culture. People will get hurt, mistakes will be made, but part of that new creation is seeking to make it right – not when you get caught, but immediately.
Weekly Practice: Confess
As someone who has often been in leadership, I’m grateful for the grace that others have offered to me through my mistakes. I wish I could say that I have always done the same for others, fostering an environment that is open, vulnerable, and safe. I’ve failed more times that I’m comfortable with.
Israel was called to be the people of God, set apart and holy to God. And they failed, miserable generation after generation. Yet God did not give up on them, nor His promises. He stayed true, and stayed faithful to humanity.
Whether you are a leader, or a member of an organization, an important starting point for Gospel Saturation is to understand how deep brokenness goes. These questions are hard, because they shine a light on the uncomfortable reality of our sin. That is where we need the Gospel to speak – that God is enough.
This week is an opportunity for you to evaluate the systems that you participate in. Are there areas that need to change? Are there reparations that need to be sought? How can you redeem the situation?
As you do this, soak yourself in prayer. Don’t be in a rush, but don’t be afraid to move forward as God leads.
This is a hard practice, but a vital one to see Gospel Saturation.