Many years ago I read a book called THE LISTENER. Although it was fiction, it seemed like a plausible story. It told of a church that had an area with a curtain from ceiling to floor with a sign inviting individuals to come talk to the THE LISTENER when they felt they needed someone to talk to. As there was never a response from behind the curtain, nobody was ever sure whether or not there was anyone behind the curtain listening. But, nevertheless, people came and told "the Listener" their problems, their feelings of lonliness, and anything else they didn't feel comfortable telling anyone else. Possibly some felt nobody would listen to them or would scoff at them. But people went away feeling better -- sometimes probably having figured out solutions to problems just by talking about them aloud. Others confessed sins to get them off their conscience.
Last month I read about a modern version of this, but this time, there is a face behind the "virtual curtain"; it's on the Internet. Craig Groeschel, a pastor in Oklahoma, established a website, Life Church.tv. Here anyone can confess any sin that is weighing on their conscience and destroying them that they want helpl in overcoming. The question Craig poses is "What is your 'it'?"
"The site allows people to file confessions under categories ranging from "self-harm" to "regret". "After posting, people are guided to a resource link that lists ministries focused on sepcific issues. 'No one is alone in their struggles,' Groschel says. 'Whether it's an eating disorder, cutting, secret addiction to portn, ddrugs, alcohol or other secreets, people around the world are dealing with the same issues. And Jesus is the answer to all."
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