About Church Discipline: What Does God's Word Say About Church Discipline

About church discipline.

Have you ever been offended within church?

It's amazing to me how many people don't go to church any longer for exactly this reason.

I've watched this play out in many cases within my own circle of influence.

* Someone creates an offense of some sort
* The offended goes about talking about the offense in negative ways that the one who caused the offense does not go about.
* Sooner or later the offender finds out and is hurt about all the gossip.
* Relationships are severed and people stop attending services.

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What does God's Word say about how church discipline should be handled compared to the way that it is largely dealt with today?

Matthew 18:15-18
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Here are the 4 steps outlined above:
STEP 1: Between the two of you
STEP 2: Take one or two others along
STEP 3: If he refuses to listen… tell it to the church
STEP 4: Treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector

Let's get into the details of each of these above steps.

STEP 1: Between the two of you – When you choose to involve others in the dispute you open a "can of worms" that cannot be easily shut.

STEP 2: Take one or two others along – In-other-words; don't go blabbing your grievances to the entire church body. That will not help with any potential resolution to the issues involved. It's easy to bypass this step in the name of "fairness," but doing so will not prove healthy in the long run of the situation.

STEP 3: If he refuses to listen… tell it to the church – Even here it's not in a way of gossip that you are going for, but rather a very structured approach of discipline. Naming exactly the issue, rather than superfluous unrelated items that do not support the main points of concern. The problem at this point is when people choose to stuff their feelings as not being important instead of carrying this step forward. When that happens sooner or later you will find an erupting volcano in-place of what could have been a "mole hill" comparatively.

STEP 4: Treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector – This may be difficult, especially if it is one of the church leaders you are dealing with. However, it is necessary in-order to receive ultimate success within the journey to healing and wholeness for the entire body.

It's never fun to carry out church discipline, but when it is necessary there are specific steps to take according to God's Word. Therefore, next time you wonder what does God's Word say about church discipline you now have a clear process to follow for the hopefully healing of everyone involved.