Church Discipline: Is It Necessary?
Church discipline is making a comeback in Baptist circles. There has been two sources of great influence on this topic. One major source is Dr. Al Mohler. Dr. Mohler is the President of The Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Over the last several years, Dr. Mohler has touched on this subject on his blog and during his speaking engagements. The other main source is Pastor Mark Dever. Pastor Dever is the Senior Pastor at Capital Hills Baptist Church in Washington D.C. These two men have made it their goal to make church discipline a part of Baptist life.
Many years ago, Baptist Churches removed people from their membership all the time. I once read a church history of a small Baptist Church in Kentucky. In the minutes, there was an ongoing story of a man that seemed to have a problem with drinking and partying. We must remember that all of this took place in the late 1800's. The man was removed from the church several times for his public behavior. He would later repent and then be voted back into the fold. However, during one business meeting, he stood up and asked that his name be removed. He acknowledged that he was not fit to be a Church member. This was the last time he was mentioned in the history.
The question must be asked: Why are we know longer practicing scriptural Church discipline? I believe there are a couple answers to this question worthy of writing about.
First, we do not practice church discipline because our society has taught us to accept sin. There is no more shame. There is no more sorrow when it comes to inappropriate behavior. A young woman can have children out of wedlock and be applauded for her actions. A young man can act inappropriately and it will be completely overlooked, due to the fact that we all our sinners. We are told time and again that we are not to judge. This is true, that is why we have the Bible. It does all the judging for us. All we have to do is be the messenger. We know that we are not to accept sin. However, because we are taught incorrectly about judging; we often do.
Second, we do not want to hurt anyone's feelings. Our churches have become so sensitive about feelings, that we are afraid to say anything. I wrote a blog about the effects of existentialism on the church. Everyone should read that one again. The church often mimics its culture. Our culture is one of feelings and emotions. How you feel is more important than is it right. I will guarantee that we will never feel like practicing church discipline. As long as feelings are used to make our major decisions in the church, then church discipline will be ignored.
Third and finally, we do not respect our church membership. Most Baptist Churches will keep a person on their roles until they are dead. Then they will wait three days just to make sure it took. Churches have members that live in other states. Churches have members that haven't attended in years. I will assure you that 100 years ago, if a member of a Baptist church missed a month with no good reason, they wouldn't be a member much longer. Church membership no longer means something. As long as church membership is as open as it is, we will never practice church discipline.
Here is the good news. I have come to the conclusion that Church discipline usually takes place whether we vote on it or not. If the church pastor preaches what the Bible teaches, then the unrepentant person will not stay there very long. It is apparent to me that most sinful people stay away from the church. They do not want to feel convicted. Now this is only true is the pastor is a Bible believer. Disregard this thought if the pastor never preaches on sin.
Every now and then, a church will have a public sinful behavior done by a church member that refuses to acknowledge the sin. The pastor must have full authority to deal with this sin. The Bible tells us that the pastor must deal with this sin. The church must support the pastor in the process. For we cannot let unrepentant sin run rampant in our church halls.
To be honest with you, I would love to bring discipline back into the church. However, my church's membership is not in order to do it. Thus, we will practice it on an individual basis. It is important for us to all remember that God wants his church to maintain a level of holiness. Sin must be dealt with, but it must be dealt with in a loving and gracious way. If we deal with it incorrectly, then we fall into sin ourselves. We must be very careful.
Many years ago, Baptist Churches removed people from their membership all the time. I once read a church history of a small Baptist Church in Kentucky. In the minutes, there was an ongoing story of a man that seemed to have a problem with drinking and partying. We must remember that all of this took place in the late 1800's. The man was removed from the church several times for his public behavior. He would later repent and then be voted back into the fold. However, during one business meeting, he stood up and asked that his name be removed. He acknowledged that he was not fit to be a Church member. This was the last time he was mentioned in the history.
The question must be asked: Why are we know longer practicing scriptural Church discipline? I believe there are a couple answers to this question worthy of writing about.
First, we do not practice church discipline because our society has taught us to accept sin. There is no more shame. There is no more sorrow when it comes to inappropriate behavior. A young woman can have children out of wedlock and be applauded for her actions. A young man can act inappropriately and it will be completely overlooked, due to the fact that we all our sinners. We are told time and again that we are not to judge. This is true, that is why we have the Bible. It does all the judging for us. All we have to do is be the messenger. We know that we are not to accept sin. However, because we are taught incorrectly about judging; we often do.
Second, we do not want to hurt anyone's feelings. Our churches have become so sensitive about feelings, that we are afraid to say anything. I wrote a blog about the effects of existentialism on the church. Everyone should read that one again. The church often mimics its culture. Our culture is one of feelings and emotions. How you feel is more important than is it right. I will guarantee that we will never feel like practicing church discipline. As long as feelings are used to make our major decisions in the church, then church discipline will be ignored.
Third and finally, we do not respect our church membership. Most Baptist Churches will keep a person on their roles until they are dead. Then they will wait three days just to make sure it took. Churches have members that live in other states. Churches have members that haven't attended in years. I will assure you that 100 years ago, if a member of a Baptist church missed a month with no good reason, they wouldn't be a member much longer. Church membership no longer means something. As long as church membership is as open as it is, we will never practice church discipline.
Here is the good news. I have come to the conclusion that Church discipline usually takes place whether we vote on it or not. If the church pastor preaches what the Bible teaches, then the unrepentant person will not stay there very long. It is apparent to me that most sinful people stay away from the church. They do not want to feel convicted. Now this is only true is the pastor is a Bible believer. Disregard this thought if the pastor never preaches on sin.
Every now and then, a church will have a public sinful behavior done by a church member that refuses to acknowledge the sin. The pastor must have full authority to deal with this sin. The Bible tells us that the pastor must deal with this sin. The church must support the pastor in the process. For we cannot let unrepentant sin run rampant in our church halls.
To be honest with you, I would love to bring discipline back into the church. However, my church's membership is not in order to do it. Thus, we will practice it on an individual basis. It is important for us to all remember that God wants his church to maintain a level of holiness. Sin must be dealt with, but it must be dealt with in a loving and gracious way. If we deal with it incorrectly, then we fall into sin ourselves. We must be very careful.
posted by Foundes Community Church @ 6:36 AM
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