Wednesday, March 23, 2011

A Youth Minister's Call to Confession and Assurance of Pardon

Call to Confession:

One Voice: Through the Great Commission, Christ has called all persons into a shared ministry. Therefore, let us confess our own brokenness before God and one another.

Many Voices:
God, for the ways that I have taken credit for what you have done in attempt to boost my own ego, I am sorry.

For the ways that I have refused to become vulnerable and share my own brokenness with my students, God, I am sorry.

I am sorry for choosing power and control over intimacy and trust in my leadership position, God.

I am sorry, God, for believing that I can do ministry on my own, failing to see that servant leadership requires relationships and accountability.

For the ways that I have allowed programs and lessons to become more important than "feeding your sheep," God, I am sorry.

God, for not inviting my students into ministry and failing to recognize that ministry is a communal and mutual experience, I am sorry.

[Time of Silent Confession]

Assurance of Pardon:

One Voice:
If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
God is gracious and endlessly patient, loving and forgiving. Our confessions have been heard and we have been called to a new way of leadership in love, vulnerability, trust, and communal and mutual ministry.

Many Voices:
Glory be to the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, as it was in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen.