Comments on: Beyond Venting:Confession as Spiritual Discipline

By: Not Settling For Substitutes « A Living Alternative Our Missional Pilgrimage

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 01:56:48 +0000

[...] As we face interpersonal challenges in our relationships, we seek out others to whom we might “vent”, indiscriminately giving unqualified voice to our frustration to others who, in the name of being [...]

By: A Tale of Two Book Reviews « A Living Alternative Our Missional Pilgrimage

A Tale of Two Book Reviews « A Living Alternative Our Missional Pilgrimage — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:25:59 +0000

[...] Previous Post – Beyond Venting: Confession as Spiritual Discipline [...]

By: Jamie Arpin-Ricci

Jamie Arpin-Ricci — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:34:27 +0000

Thanks Christopher. That is a great insight.

Peace,
Jamie

By: Christopher D. Walborn

Christopher D. Walborn — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:30:12 +0000

The confessors I’ve been to won’t let you talk too long about what so-and-so did. The focus really is on the ailment in your own heart. It’s owning your sin, yes, but think of it as telling the doctor where you’ve found gangrene. I wouldn’t even name “John” by name, but focus on my wrong response to what “someone” did. Trading evil for evil, even if only in my heart.

By: Jamie Arpin-Ricci

Jamie Arpin-Ricci — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:56:19 +0000

Thanks T. I fully agree with you about the need for sacramental communities of honesty and confession. As you say, it happens a lot more even without the term. I think we could benefit from being more intentional about it.

Peace,
Jamie

By: T

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:03:59 +0000

Jamie,

Great topic. I’m glad you brought up both the larger topic of confession and the less healthy (and easier) venting. Venting, to me, is trying to tell some of the truth about being hurt without being vulnerable. The anger is like protective (and judgmental) coating.

Christine Sine’s series and some others got me thinking about sacraments/spiritual practices and I just posted on how the practice of honesty/confession is thought of and practiced sacramentally by support groups more deeply and widely than churches these days. Even though they don’t use the term “sacrament”, they definitely see God uniquely and powerfully at work within the practice of honesty and confession, and are reaping the rewards.

By: Jamie Arpin-Ricci

Jamie Arpin-Ricci — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:27:58 +0000

Thanks Kelly, I really appreciate that. It means a lot.

Peace,
Jamie

By: kelly

kelly — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:20:31 +0000

jamie; i love this post. I think your research and insight offer sound wisdom. Its great for me to read at this time, and its great for anyone who longs for maturity and authentic relationships. thanks for the wonderful things you write. I rarely comment but often visit.
kelly

By: Jamie Arpin-Ricci

Jamie Arpin-Ricci — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:30:04 +0000

Thanks Jason. I agree. This idea is inspiring in the now, but in the heat of passion, wounding or anger, it truly becomes a difficult discipline. I’d love to hear about the journey towards lamenting.

Peace,
Jamie

By: Jason Coker

Jason Coker — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:54:51 +0000

It’s funny, ,Jenell and I were just talking about this over the weekend. This is a huge issue on several different fronts, and this is an excellent post on the subject Jamie. There is a significant difference between speaking honestly about your compulsions and feelings on the one hand, and speaking the truth on the other.

I’ve tried leading our (very new) community into confession rather than venting and it is very, very difficult for many reasons, not the least of which is that I haven’t learned the discipline well myself. We’ve actually found some measure of success in practicing the biblical art of “lamenting” rather than venting, but, as I have suggested to my friends, biblical lamenting turns toward confession in the end.

Thanks for this Jamie!