|
Scripture
Matthew 18:15-17 (Deuteronomy 19:15-21)
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
1 Corinthians 5:11-13
11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
Galatians 6:1-12
1 Or Brothers and sisters; if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-17
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to a full-grown man to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
2 Thessalonians 3:13-15
13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
1 Corinthians 5:11-13
11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
Galatians 6:1-12
1 Or Brothers and sisters; if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-17
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to a full-grown man to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
2 Thessalonians 3:13-15
13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
The Picture at LCC
At Longview Christian Church church discipline tends to fall into the categories of formative, the commitment of the local congregation to disciple and encourage believers as they pursue Christ, and corrective, when the congregation is compelled by scripture to address behavior within a group or person of the LCC body that stands in opposition to scripture. The Holy Spirit is vital in both forms of discipline to transform those who are united in their declaration that Jesus is the Lord of their life and are striving in a daily posture of repentance to be more like him.
Formative discipline is the stuff that takes place in tight groups of community when brothers and sisters come alongside one another to spur each other on in chasing after Jesus and in dealing with their sin no matter how large or small. Godly men and women, being sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, in concert with scripture, assist in this effort offering encouragement, even if that encouragement is difficult to hear.
Corrective discipline is what’s typically thought of when the subject of Church Discipline is mentioned. This form of discipline deals with those who persist in sin and refuse repentance even after formative attempts by those who love them or with individuals they have wronged have failed. It is at this point that the Eldership of LCC will get formally involved to take directive action.
“In the event that a member is considered by the elders to be upsetting the spiritual welfare by anti-scriptural teaching and/or to be persisting in sin as defined in the Bible, that member is to be contacted by two or more elders who shall, in Christian love, point out the error to the member, requesting that the member repent of his/her practices. In the event the errant member refuses to comply with the elders’ request, the elders may convene a special congregational meeting for the purpose of communicating to the congregation this person’s unwillingness to respond to the elder’s discipline.” (from the LCC Bylaws)
Formative discipline is the stuff that takes place in tight groups of community when brothers and sisters come alongside one another to spur each other on in chasing after Jesus and in dealing with their sin no matter how large or small. Godly men and women, being sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, in concert with scripture, assist in this effort offering encouragement, even if that encouragement is difficult to hear.
Corrective discipline is what’s typically thought of when the subject of Church Discipline is mentioned. This form of discipline deals with those who persist in sin and refuse repentance even after formative attempts by those who love them or with individuals they have wronged have failed. It is at this point that the Eldership of LCC will get formally involved to take directive action.
“In the event that a member is considered by the elders to be upsetting the spiritual welfare by anti-scriptural teaching and/or to be persisting in sin as defined in the Bible, that member is to be contacted by two or more elders who shall, in Christian love, point out the error to the member, requesting that the member repent of his/her practices. In the event the errant member refuses to comply with the elders’ request, the elders may convene a special congregational meeting for the purpose of communicating to the congregation this person’s unwillingness to respond to the elder’s discipline.” (from the LCC Bylaws)