Open Letter To This List

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> It would be sad, indeed, to think that a person would feel forced to keep
> their sin covered, because of a pastor who didn't respect their right to
> privacy.

I've been there. Two separate instances. The first one I called myself doing
the right thing and received counsleing from a former pastor. Next thing I 
know, it's all over the ENTIRE church.

Come to find out later from someone that lived in the pastor's home that
confessions were usually a source of conversation in the house. Strike 1
against pastoral counseling for me.

Another totally separate incident many years later, I called myself doing the
right thing again, and went to my pastor for counseling. While the
information
did not leak out, I noticed a DEFINITE change in the way I was treated from
that point forward. Strike 2 against confession for me.

And as far as I'm concerned, the ball game is over, and I no longer seek
pastoral counseling.