Both scripture and our Presbyterian heritage give us solid reasons to confess our sins when we gather for worship. But having good reasons won’t automatically make it easy. Most of us feel at least a little uncomfortable with prayer; and somewhat more uncomfortable when we pray out loud with other people present; and still more uncomfortable when we are admitting we are wrong out loud in front of God and everyone else.

This is a worthy topic for discussion, especially for the Session, as they seek to offer strong spiritual leadership for the church. The most significant question for them to consider is not, “What counts as corporate prayer?” Instead, it is this: “How can our church be most effective in helping the gathered worshipers get better at a Christian practice – confessing their sins together before God – which they are not too comfortable with?”

If quite a few church members feel intimidated at the thought of praying words from the bulletin out loud, it might – sometimes – be wise to have just one elder or minister do the speaking, while the congregation strives to follow within their own hearts.

But that answer can only be temporary. The goal of corporate confession of sin is for everyone to come before God in confidence, humbly acknowledging our failures, and rejoicing that Christ has established our forgiveness forever by his death on the cross. So let me point you again to this key question: “How can we help our congregation get better at this?”