Got sins to confess? There's an app for that!
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 10:18AM 
I enjoy Daniel Mosley's tweets and blog posts. He recently posted this post on the Catholic Church's use of an iPhone app to support the sacrament of reconciliation (confession and penance).
Please see his post here: http://danielmosley.posterous.com/got-sins-to-confess-theres-an-app-for-that
I thought this was a great idea at first glance! I am all for the Church finding contemporary methods (and tools) to reach and serve a much wider audience to aid faith, transformation and wholeness.
The Methodist Church in Britain has done something similar. See my post on this here: http://www.dionforster.com/blog/2010/5/17/methodist-church-launches-an-iphone-app-now-thats-missional.html
And, of course there are a myriad of 'ministries' and 'individuals' who have created tools and apps for devotion, news, encouragement or interaction. Some, like the two mentioned above are 'discipleship' tools to support believers, while others are evangelical tools to reach more people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I would highly recommend that you read Tallskinnykiwi's post on evangelism in this space here: http://tallskinnykiwi.typepad.com/tallskinnykiwi/2011/01/social-media-talk-at-lausanne-.html
Back to the confession app, I wonder if I would use it? Of course one major problem is that this sacrament is not part of my theological and spiritual tradition. So, that does cause me to value it a little less for the specific task it performs.
Let me ask, if you are from a tradition that applies this sacrament would you feel comfortable (or not) using such a tool? I'd love to hear why.
Also, are there any other tools or apps that you use, or know of, that you find as important in your faith and spiritual life?
Personally I use the Methodist app mentioned above, and I use the Olivetree Bible app daily on my iPhone and iPad.
Reader Comments (3)
You gotta be kidding right? Its too catholic for me I am afraid,. does Pope Benedict know about this, it could some priests out of business...
BTW I gave a copy of your book to my boss......he is a Zionist "Christian" so we will have to see what the Lord does with your tract in his hands...
Blessings
Hi Simon,
Thanks for your comments!
I do believe that the Pope would not be personally aware of the App. However, it would have had to obtain official sanction for it to be used in the administration of the sacrament - I know that the Catholic Church has been quite serious about addressing two major problems that are a threat in many Churches. First, they realise that the Church must find ways to meet people where they are. Most Church models encourage people to 'come to us'. As such I have heard of a number of creative approaches to taking the central tennets of faith and spiritual life into 'uncommon spaces' for the traditional Church - these include the internet and mobile communications. I also heard that they have bought a soccer team somewhere (Italy or Spain?) - the point is to ask 'What are people already doing? How can we engage them in that space?'
Next, they also realise that 'agency' is becoming a problem in the Church. The Catholic church in particular is struggling to get priests - I can fully understand that. It is quite a sacrifice to choose a life of celibacy. But, there are other more complex and subtle social and psychological reasons why many Churches no longer get suitable candidates for the pastoral ministry.
In this context we need to ask whether we change our ministry practises (such as administering the sacraments and means of grace) by doing away with them. Or, do we find new and creative ways to allow fewer people to do the same work. I have a feeling that this application is intended to offer a solution in the second regard mentioned above.
With regards to my little book - thank you so much for passing it on! I truly appreciate your grace and kindness in helping to spread the message!
It is doing quite well at the moment. We are in the process of tying up its publication in the USA and getting electronic copies on Amazon etc. Please continue to pray with us!
God bless my friend!
Dion