Insufferable Sins

After reading a book on church discipline where the author suggested that there were certain sins that were considered insufferable, I began wondering if this was true.  Are there certain sins that if committed can disqualify someone from church leadership or membership indefinitely?  More accurately stated – forever?
I know that there are certain qualifications for [...]

Read Full Post »

Church Discipline (Part 7)

I have come across a book on the web entitled “Manual of Church Discipline” by a Reverend Eleazer Savage.  I’m not sure how the book will turn out, but I found some interesting observations just in the first chapter.  (If you would like to read the book it can be found here.)

Corrective Church Discipline is “the right [...]

Read Full Post »

The Case of Touchy Tom

Christianity Today has recently posted an article on a modern-day excommunication within a baptist church.  The article can be found here.
 As you read through the article, it appears Tom’s membership was put to a vote by the general assembly.  This in my mind seems inappropriate, although seemed to have produced the correct results in this [...]

Read Full Post »

Church Discipline (Part 6)

You must excuse the process, as that is what this is. A work in process. It seems as if all of the pieces are slowly coming together for me. I’ve never given much thought to church discipline until recently, and didn’t know what my thoughts were on the subject, and worse yet – what the [...]

Read Full Post »

Discipline Clarification

A friend who was reading my thoughts challenged me on what I have laid out as proper guidelines for church discipline. Below is an excerpt from his communication followed by my response which hopefully clarifies my position.
Napoleon was once asked, “How big is the size of your army?” and he wisely replied, “It is not [...]

Read Full Post »

Church Discipline (Part 5)

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? [...]

Read Full Post »

Church Discipline (Part 4)

1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, [...]

Read Full Post »

Church Discipline (Part 3)

1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! 2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. [...]

Read Full Post »

Church Discipline (Part 2)

15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be [...]

Read Full Post »

Church Discipline (Part 1)

I am a big proponent of church discipline. I think we as the church would serve the Body well if we would exercise Biblical discipline within our ranks. However, we do not understand the nature or purpose of church discipline. We employ it when we shouldn’t and neglect it when it is needed. Most times [...]

Read Full Post »