In the confines of any organization, discipline is a mechanism of correction that should ultimately lead to restoration of the offender. This holds true in the church in situations of unintentional error and/or private sin. In this San Quentin News feature, Garden Chapel Christian Fellowship Protestant Chaplain and Senior Pastor Dr. Morris A. Curry Jr. provides scriptural and spiritual insight regarding church discipline.
Pastor Curry, what is the goal of church discipline?
Based upon Matthew 18:15-17, (dealing with a sinning brother or sister) the goal of church discipline is to protect the church from being permeated with sin and false doctrine. Correct erring church members. Restore an erring member.
What initial steps does the church take to correct the offense of the member?
Go to the person and show them their fault in private.
Should the person not listen, return with one or two witnesses.
Should the person refuse to listen, bring the matter before the church.
Would this be a process of gentle restoration for the member?
Indeed. The discipline must be handled carefully, straightforwardly and lovingly. The correction should never be vengeful, instead it should be given to bring about a cure. Discipline is in hope that the experience would bring the person to God, to destroy their vice through repentance.
Is there a moral code in regards to church discipline of the member?
Yes. The church has the responsibility to maintain standards of morality that are found in God’s commandments. Transgressions cann ot be tol-erated in the church because it affects others as well as the responsibility to encourage, pray for and build up each member
What occurs to the member should they not adhere to the initial steps of restoration?
Should the offender not adhere to the initial steps, the final steps are:
Remove the one in error from fellowship. The church gives united disapproval, but forgiveness and comfort are in order should the offender choose to repent.
Do not associate with the disobedient person: and if you must, speak to them as one who needs a warning.
After two warnings, reject the person from fellowship.
Again, the purpose of church discipline is to lead the person to repentance, not being too lenient and not correcting the mistakes, or being too harsh.
Is the common theme to make the member aware that the church loves them?
Absolutely. The church demonstrates its love by honestly sharing their concerns in order to assist the offender and to do their very best for God. Sometimes people make choices that we know are wrong. Should we ignore their behavior and allow them to continue in it, we are demonstrating that we don’t love them. When we don’t assist, we demonstrate that we are more concerned about being well liked than about what will happen to them. There is a time to confront and a time to comfort. Restoring the person to fellowship is the goal of church discipline.
