Anonymous. The Benefit of Private Confession and Absolution.
Some years ago I called my pastor to make an appointment for individual confession and absolution. Like many other Lutherans, I’d never done that before. You must understand that I hadn’t robbed a bank or been unfaithful to my spouse. In fact, I hadn’t sinned any more (or less) that week than usual. I simply desired to hear God’s forgiveness, life and salvation proclaimed personally and individually. I learned that individual confession is a valuable pathway, given to us by God, for our spiritual renewal. You might ask, “Why would you want to seek individual confession when the general confession is already a part of the regular church service?”