Looking for scripture verse

[stillfocused]

AT...that is the million dollar question !! Many we want to expose the sin..not realizing that in exposing the sin it will infect the congregation. I will respond later..

[anointedteacher]

nina2 said:

From what I've read, in the beginning of the Reformed Church, and according to their order of service, confession of sins was included in the beginning of the service, before communion.

Regarding public confession, the "usual practice" was that, if one had sinned against one person, that one should confess privately to that person. If one had sinned in a way that was harming the entire congregation/church, then one had to confess to the entire congregation. My understanding is that it applied to all, including a leader...

Just my opinion: I don't believe in this type of forced confession. Confession without repentance is of no avail, and only God knows if a person really and sincerely repents, or is just going through the motions of the established local rules.

I don't think anyone should be forced to confession to the congregation, it should be something that person want to do to get things right and to repent. Even person to person should be voluntarily. Most situation is not necessary to go before the congregation and can be deal with privately.

There are cases where the leader have to or sometime force to deal with situations in front of the congregation. the person may not confess and/or repent... but it can not be swept under the rug.