Church Discipline
What Happens in a Church Which Does Not Practice Church Discipline?
Dennis A. Wright, DMin
Church discipline is divine authority delegated to the church by Jesus Christ to maintain order.
The Disappearance of Church Discipline: How Can We Recover? - 1
Albert Mohler, PhD
The decline of church discipline is perhaps the most visible failure of the contemporary church.
The Disappearance of Church Discipline: How Can We Recover? - 2
Albert Mohler, PhD
The disappearance of church discipline has weakened the church and compromised Christian witness.
The Disappearance of Church Discipline: How Can We Recover? - 3
Albert Mohler, PhD
Spiritual leaders are to confront a sinning member with a spirit of humility and gentleness, and with the goal of restoration.
Church Discipline – A Tragic Neglect
Wayne Jackson
A study of church discipline, especially the ultimate act of withdrawal of fellowship.
What Does the Bible Say About Church Discipline?
Got Questions
Matthew 18:15–20 gives the procedure and authority for a church to practice church discipline.
Church Discipline: What Does the Bible Say About It?
Rey Reynoso
God is a god of order and there’s a right and wrong time to do things. We’re not called to decide that God’s solution isn’t kind enough. We’re called to be wise and faithful.
Biblical Church Discipline (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13)
Steven J. Cole
The topic of church discipline may sound as if we’re trying to revive the Salem witch trials or the Inquisition, but it isn’t.
The Key of Church Discipline
Ligonier Ministries
If the gospel unlocks and opens the door to the kingdom of heaven, then there must be a sense in which it locks and closes the door to the kingdom as well.
Why We are in Need of Church Membership and Discipline
Jeremy M. Kimble
The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Excellent!
Church Discipline
Albert Mohler, PhD
“What is pure is corrupted much more quickly than what is corrupt is purified.”
John Cassian (AD 360-435)
Church Discipline
Grace Community Church
Few aspects of church life offend modern sensibilities more than the practice of church discipline. The contemporary dogmas of civility and tolerance keep it outside the doors of many congregations, fostering a culture of unrestrained carnality, unrepentant sin, and false professions of faith.
Church Discipline: Principles and Reasons
Justin Taylor
These notes are from Jonathan Leeman’s short and very helpful book, Church Discipline: How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus (Wheaton: Crossway, 2012).
Why Doesn’t Church Discipline Ever Seem to Work?
Jon English Lee
Whenever a church must discipline someone, they must ensure that love is their motivation. Love is the only proper motivation
Ten Things You Should Know about Church Discipline
Jonathan Leeman
Article from Crossway. Brief but excellent!
22 Mistakes Pastors Make in Practicing Church Discipline
Andy Naselli
Mistakes Pastors sometimes make regarding church discipline.
Corrective Church Discipline
Tom Ascol
One of the most important and difficult tasks a pastor must undertake is leading his congregation to understand and obey what the Bible says about church discipline.
Church Discipline
Jonathan Leeman
Church discipline typically starts privately and informally, growing to include the whole church only when necessary. In its final, formal, and public stage, church discipline involves removing someone from membership in the church.
Church Discipline as a “Mark” of the Church
Adam Parker
When you think of church discipline, what comes to mind? Those with more colorful imaginations may think of the Spanish Inquisition. Others may think of a pastor with a grudge telling church members to find somewhere else to worship. Still others may not know what you are talking about at all. In much of modern evangelicalism, church discipline is either rare or totally non-existent; because of this, it has an unpleasant mystique to it.
Highly Recommended!
Churches Rarely Discipline Members
Aaron Earls
Lifeway Research found that pastors haven’t felt the need to practice church discipline in their congregations frequently, if at all.
Church Discipline Misconceived
John F. MacArthur
Few aspects of church life offend modern sensibilities more than the practice of church discipline.
(Part 1)
The Place and Purpose of Church Discipline
John F. MacArthur
Few aspects of church life offend modern sensibilities more than the practice of church discipline. (Part 2)
Your Personal Responsibility in Church Discipline
John F. MacArthur
Few aspects of church life offend modern sensibilities more than the practice of church discipline. (Part 3)
Church Discipline, Step One: Private Confrontation
John F. MacArthur
Few aspects of church life offend modern sensibilities more than the practice of church discipline. (Part 4)
Church Discipline, Step Two: Bring Witnesses
John F. MacArthur
Few aspects of church life offend modern sensibilities more than the practice of church discipline. (Part 5)
Church Discipline, Step Three: Telling the Church
John F. MacArthur
Few aspects of church life offend modern sensibilities more than the practice of church discipline. (Part 6)
Church Discipline, Step Four: Excommunication
John F. MacArthur
Few aspects of church life offend modern sensibilities more than the practice of church discipline. (Part 7)
God’s Work in Church Discipline
John F. MacArthur
Few aspects of church life offend modern sensibilities more than the practice of church discipline.
(Part 8)
Blessed Discipline
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
There are times when the wicked seem to have things all their own way. This earth is not the realm of final justice; for God permits many things to be for a while in confusion.
The Lord Chiding His People
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Inasmuch as Jesus Christ has put that sin away, yet, as our Father, God exercises discipline amongst His family, and we, as His children, are both chidden and chastened for our faults.
Eight Reasons Your Excuses for Not Practicing Church Discipline Won’t Work
North American Mission Board
Church discipline — the very phrase sends a shiver down some spines. Questions arise about fairness, forgiveness, grace, compassion, and love. Accusations fly — of pride and divisiveness, self-righteousness and judgmentalism.
Seven Well-Meaning Objections to Church Discipline—and How Pastors Ought to Respond to Them
Jon Pentecost & Sam Emadi
“You preached those sermons on church membership and discipline point by point through the Bible . . . and I hated it!”
Jon Pentecost and Sam Emadi write for 9 Marks.
Objections and Questions Concerning Church Discipline
Nick Batzig
God has established only two courts in which cases of injustice are to be adjudicated in this life: the civil court and the ecclesiastical court. These two courts represent distinct spheres of delegated authority from God: civil courts to deliberate over matters related to the civil sphere and ecclesiastical courts to consider matters directly related to the spiritual nature of the church.
Good and Bad Excuses Not to Practice Church Discipline
Brad Wheeler
It’s not often that churches find themselves in the national news. Yet in recent memory, a number of prominent congregations have found themselves in controversies covered by the The Washington Post, Slate, and The New York Times. And in each, it was about a case of church discipline gone wrong.
Seven Objections to Church Discipline
Carl Robbins
If you are committed to the Bible’s model for church discipline, then you better be prepared to answer objections because you will most certainly hear them. Here are the seven that we have most frequently heard from church officers and members. Yes, we have heard every one of these objections right here.
“Don’t Do It!!” Why You Shouldn’t Practice Church Discipline
Mark Dever, PhD
“Don’t do it.” That’s the first thing I tell pastors when they discover church discipline is in the Bible. I say, “Don’t do it, at least not yet.” Why this advice Let’s think about what happens in the process of discovery.
Great advice on how a Pastor can shepherd his church toward discipline!
Four Reasons Churches Don’t Practice Church Discipline
Jeremy M. Kimble
Some churches don’t practice discipline because they’re unaware of the biblical mandate or unsure how to start the process.
Twelve Reasons Churches Don't Practice Church Discipline
Chuck Lawless
An informal survey to see why churches don’t do discipline. Here are the primary findings, in no particular order.
The High Cost of Neglecting Church Discipline
Alex Zenk
Our culture has lost the meaning and process of healthy corrective action and instead has chosen to adopt more therapeutic practices.
Reasons to Avoid Churches Who Will Not Practice Church Discipline
Eric Davis
Here are 10 common problems among churches that will not practice discipline on you, making them unsafe. (Cripplegate)
12 Reasons to Avoid Churches Who Will Not Practice Church Discipline
Chuck Lawless
Why do churches not discipline their members? Here are twelve survey findings, in no particular order.
Resources for Further Research
John Piper, DTheol
Links to several excellent resources at Desiring God.
Very Highly Recommended!
Resources for Further Research
Various Authors
Presented here are 102 more resources on Church Discipline.
Great for Extended Research!
