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Practicing Church
Discipline |
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Practicing Church
Discipline |
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Reproof, rebuke, admonishment:
The elements of successful discipline:
1.
2.
a.
b.
c.
d.
3.
Formal church discipline
Removal from Fellowship
What kinds of sin are serious enough to merit removal from fellowship?
Although we have no proof that the lists of sins calling for removal from fellowship (I Cor. 5:11; II Thess. 3:6-15; I Tim. 1:20; Titus 3:10) are exhaustive, we think we should generally reserve this kind of discipline for the kinds of serious sin mentioned in these passages.
Sins listed scripturally as serious enough to remove someone include:
1. Sexual immorality- I Cor. 5:11
2. Covetous- I Cor.5:11
3. Idolatry- I Cor. 5:11
4. Reviling- I Cor. 5:11
5. Drunkard- I Cor. 5:11
6. Swindling- I Cor. 5:11
7. Unruly life- II Thes.3:6
8. Division of the local church- Titus 3:10,11
9. False teaching I Tim. 1:20
In addition, we believe that other sins not specifically mentioned may call for removal as well. Examples include:
1. Various types of social violence
2. Chronic sexual misconduct (pornia)
3. Drug abuse
4. Certain kinds of unrighteous divorce
Things that do not justify removal from fellowship include:
1. Ungodly marriages
2. Ungodly dating
3. Disobedience to church authority
4. Disagreement with, or criticism of, church authority
5. Sin committed before conversion
6. Sin (even though serious) for which the person has repented.
7. Sins of omission
8. Other sins
"Telling it to the church" (Mat. 18:17)
If the case meets the criteria mentioned above, the home church leaders should call their overseer and explain the case. After counseling together, the elders will be asked for approval before anything else is done. If they approve:
Procedure
Key points to remember when leading a disciplinary meeting:
1. Lead thinking before the meeting
2. Pray for restoration
3. Encourage active, compassionate, but firm participation
4. Those affected by the sin should be encouraged to participate.
5. Try to resolve disagreements about the discipline before the meeting.
6. Take a Biblical stand even if opposed.
7. Involve sphere leadership if you expect conflict
8. Senior leader leads the meeting
9. If unrepentant, then ask the person to leave.
10. If repentant, accept the person, but issue a warning regarding continued sin.
11. If the person disagrees, then consider them as "not listening to the church."
12. Is the person capable of terminating the sin with the available provision (i.e., an alcoholic or drug addict has been offered help and support)
13. Have a restoration plan ready
In some cases, people might be removed from fellowship even though they never met with the church. Cases where this could happen include:
1. The person refuses to come to the meeting of the church.
2. The person doesn't belong to a home church.
3. The person is flagrantly disruptive or too physically dangerous.
After Removal:
1. Inform members of the outcome
2. Inform sphere leader of outcome
3. Do NOT pursue discipline on someone who leaves fellowship!
Returning to fellowship after removal
1. Normally, the sin has been successfully terminated
2. Home church leaders agree
3. Sphere leader contacted
4. Restitution made
Removing someone from home church, but not from other meetings
This form of discipline is very unusual, and requires certain criteria:
1. The person is guilty of sins which are harmful to the Home Church, but which do not qualify for removal from fellowship (e.g. disrupting the meeting; a brother who harasses sisters, youth group members given a temporary suspension from attendance privileges because of fighting, etc.)
2. Do Not take this action for excommunicable sin!
3. Consult your sphere leader beforehand unless the discipline is in a youth group, or the exclusion was an emergency measure.
4. No series of meetings is necessary for this discipline.
5. The Home Church leaders should agree on such a major decision.
6. In emergency cases, a disrupter or dangerous person can be turned out immediately.
Criteria for returning to Home Church
1. Return to the same Home Church
2. Leaders agree that the problem is resolved.
3. Consultation is not necessary.
Enforcing Church Discipline
Removal from cell group or other special activities
Removal from leadership position:
1. Chronic failure to meet requirements of deacons
2. Sins of omission
3. Legalism
4. Non-disciplinary reasons
Procedure1. Home group leaders
2. Cell group or other ministry leaders
3. Ministry team leaders
4. Elders
I Tim. 5:19- Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also may be fearful of sinning.
Servant Team vote (every three years)
When home churches have to come together to discipline one of their own, everyone feels the pain. But don't worry about your home church being messed up or losing heart because of church discipline. The opposite is usually the case. Home groups who pay the price of love for disciplining their own members usually find themselves encouraged and built up afterward.
