Asking Forgiveness Before The Church

[ndel]

Long time ago when church members stumbled, ( any sin that was committed and found out by the church) the offender(s)  would have to "go  before the church and ask for forgiveness."

Is this practiced in your church? 

If it does or does not happen at your church, do you think it should?

[keptbyJesus]

Well SJ, I got your snacks for this one.  Chicken, Popcorn, candy, Pizza, & pop, and some bowl of greens all for you. 

Well I am gonna put my 2 cents, in.  Please be advised, This is only what I think.

No, it is not praticed in my church.

I don't think that it should be praticed because the only one that I have to answer to or repent to is the Lord.  And the "church folk" that I am asking for forgineness from don't have a heaven or hell to put me in.  The only way I would go before the church is if I did something to give the church a bad rep, (i.e. getting drunk on a church trip, having on a church t-shirt at a bar, etc.)
However, is there a scripture reference that back this process up? I AM JUST ASKING.


KBJ

[nessalynn77]

I think it is in order, sometimes, and yes it has happened at our church.  If you are in leadership in the church and you commit sin publicly, I think it makes sense that you repent publicly.  That way you clear the air regarding your intentions. 

If everyone in church knows I've been sleeping around (or whatever, that seems to be a big one), open repentance for something that everyone knows anyway, can only serve to help restore the person.  Not that the congregation is trying to put you in heaven or hell, but you have a responsibility to the church that you serve to uphold the standard that is taught, which should be the standard of the Bible.  When you fail to do that you don't just harm yourself, but you harm that body, and for some people, you harm the image of the body of Christ as a whole.  The least you can do is repent to your local body and show remorse for the damage done.  I think it has more to do with setting an example to those who follow you that it is right to repent when you have sinned. I would do it without being asked.

[PianoWizard]

There have been a couple of times in our church when, because the act was done publicly, that person came forward before the church and apologised publicly. It is not common practise in our church to do so, however on these occasions the church members requested that they have the opportunity to publicly apologise.

PianoWiz...

[sjonathan02]

Well SJ, I got your snacks for this one.  Chicken, Popcorn, candy, Pizza, & pop, and some bowl of greens all for you. 

Well I am gonna put my 2 cents, in.  Please be advised, This is only what I think.

No, it is not praticed in my church.

I don't think that it should be praticed because the only one that I have to answer to or repent to is the Lord.  And the "church folk" that I am asking for forgineness from don't have a heaven or hell to put me in.  The only way I would go before the church is if I did something to give the church a bad rep, (i.e. getting drunk on a church trip, having on a church t-shirt at a bar, etc.)
However, is there a scripture reference that back this process up? I AM JUST ASKING.


KBJ

I'm coming over. But, you can KEEP the greens to yourself. 

[NJTheBishopAnderson]

1 Timothy 5:19-21
"Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality."

This is the ONLY reason someone should be brought before the church. If a member brings a reproach against the church, they should be openly repemanded. Other than that, personal sins must be dealt with on a personal level.

Be blessed...