At your church, do you have permission to speak of hidden sin and shame? What’s the culture about confession? What’s allowable? Can you tell your pastor of your porn addiction? What about your small group? Can you speak from the front of the congregation about your deep fear of rejection? Who can you talk to about the sexual abuse? Who will hear your hatred?

Anne Jackson has written Permission to Speak Freely, a small book with a big message. Thomas Nelson, the publisher, sent me a copy. I read it the same day I received it.

When I finished, I thought, “I’ve always been part of honest churches.” And yet, when I pondered that more, I realized that I’ve been willing to share my garbage, sin, and shame, but I’m not sure everyone in the congregations I’ve been part of have felt that.

I was pushed into that sharing, in some ways, because of my obvious, psychotic dysfunction in the seventies. Everybody knew, in our 400-member group. I did a lot of crazy, attention-getting behaviors. Oops.

But I was prayed for and I had permission to speak freely of my pain and sin. Would that we all could begin with confession and find sanctuary in our churches. Here’s a video Anne’s done to promote the concept:

Permission to Speak Freely Resource Video from Anne Jackson on Vimeo.

Jesus, please bring your church to the place of real sanctuary again. Revive compassion and acceptance in our hearts, along with accountability. For your glory and our strengthening. Amen.

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