Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Deacon Spin off... Church Discipline

I've heard of Church discipline before, but mostly associated with Jehovah's Witness congregations. For those that practice it, please enlighten me. What exactly does that constitute? What denomination are you? Who decides who gets discipline?

I'm genuinely curious here. Not trying to troll or start arguments.

I know Missionary Baptist practice it. They have a church covenant, a set of rules to abide by, and if a member gets outside of those rules, the church has the authority to address it, even remove the member from the church membership.

It usually involves a couple of elders talking to you and should all be done in love. I was talked to 27 years ago about a sin that everybody knew about and it changed my life forever.The Bible actually says to rebuke sin in front of the Church to discourage others from sinning. 1Timothy 5:20

We have rules of decorum and a church covenant. If a member is reported to be breaking the covenant or otherwise living a life "not becoming of a christian" and it is reported to the church, charges will be brought. What usually gets it is drinking, drugs or a couple living together or getting pregnant out of wedlock. It could be anything or any lifestyle the bible clearly says should be avoided by christians. When charges are brought, the deacons will contact the person in question. The person has two options 1) explain themselves, which will lead to the charges being dropped if its a misunderstanding or false claim or the person will come before the church and make their acknowledgements and ask the churches forgiveness or 2) the person will say "yes i did it, no i will not make it right", in other words they tell the church to get bent, at that point there will be a vote in conference to withdraw fellowship from that person for walking disorderly. That does not mean we(the church) kicked them out. Once a person joins our church, it is for life. I cannot ever remember an occasion when any persons membership was disolved. It means they are no longer in fellowship with the church, in other words the church does not agree with how they have chose to live their life. The person is not shunned or forgot about. Usually they are loved even harder and prayed for more. They can still come to church every sunday, if they want to. They can still participate in anything the church does except communion/ footwashing.

The church cannot take away a members membership. As far as i know a member cannot give back their membership. Ive seen a couple of people request their membership be withdrawn, but ive never seen the church do it. I have seen the church "withdraw fellowship" ALOT. In that case, they are still a member just not in fellowship woth the church. I am a missionary Baptist

I know someone who was removed from the church. I agree with what you are saying and that is correct. But in this case, he was removed. It was a VERY bad issue on his behalf which caused it though.

I will say this concerning church discipline. Any group you join has rules, whether it be a forum on the internet or a biker gang. If you join and then break the rules, there are consequences. If you join a church, ot is serious business. Maybe the second most serious decision a man will ever make. It should not be taken lightly. After joining, you are a representative of that church. If you are a drug addict, dealer, or a drunk, or a prostitute, or a thief, you are saying thats ok with the church you belong to. There is supposed to be a visible difference in the life of a christian and the world. I have been on both sides of this issue. The church withdrew fellowship from me when i was about 20yrs old. And rightfully so. The life i was living was well below that the Lord would have for me. I cant remember one time anyone from my church was rude to me or mistreated me after that. Nearly fourteen years ago, when i got right with God, i went back to church the next day and asked forgiveness and they welcomed me back and loved me and helped me. This is the reality of church discipline.

That's the right way.

Funny thing is that the paster who led the Germans to America and started the denomination I belong to was kicked out of the church for issues with "the ladies." They also put him in a row boat and exiled him from the Mississippi's western shore.

LCMS

Deep dive

@jwalker77

When you say the church withdrew fellowship from you what exactly do you mean? You were ostracized?

Nosir. Three deacons came to see me. They told me what i was doing had been brought to the attention of the church and asked if i had plans to come back and make it right. I said i wasnt coming back. At the time i hadnt been to church in 3-4yrs. I was on drugs and just doing whatever whenever. They reported to the church i wasnt coming back and the church withdrew fellowship. Its more of a symbol than anything, i guess. Just getting it out in the open that a person is not living a christian life and the church does not go along with the persons actions or lifestyle. Also documented proof of such written in the conference minutes in case it comes up in the future what happened. I was welcomed back at any time and i could come back and not make my acknowledgements but i would be attending church but still not in fellowship.