Already during the Reformation, Confession and Absolution, both in its individual and corporate forms, was highly valued, most especially for its comforting announcement that God is gracious and compassionate. Our need to hear that clear message is no different than it was 2,000 years ago when Jesus told the paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven you" (Mark 2:5). Whether that announcement comes in the form of a general declaration (e.g., "God forgives you all your sins") or as a direct address by the pastor who speaks in Christ's stead (e.g., "I forgive you all your sins"), this central proclamation of the Christian faith should be heard repeatedly by Christ's people both in the liturgy and in the sermon.

Preparation of an appropriate confession of sins for corporate worship requires careful thought. The goal of the general confessions found in our current hymnals is that the words provided are able to be spoken by everyone present. While there is a place in such confessions to name specific sins, a balance should be struck by also confessing the root cause of those sins-namely, that we are sinners in desperate need of a gracious God.

The location of Confession and Absolution within the service has generally been in one of two places. The first is at the very beginning of the service where it serves to prepare us to enter into the presence of God. Far from being seen as something that puts people off, its placement here can be readily explained as a reality check that allows us to confess the honest truth about ourselves-that we are sinners. In response, God graciously speaks another truth-that in Christ we are forgiven.

The second location in the service where Confession and Absolution has historically been placed is after the sermon prior to the Lord's Supper. (This was the common placement followed by the Saxon Lutherans who founded the LCMS.) In this location, following the Service of the Word, it takes on some aspects of response to the proclaimed Word. Yet, it still retains the function of preparation as the service moves toward the celebration of the Lord's Supper.