"What ever Happened to Church Discipline?"
According to national surveys conducted by pollsters such as Gallup and Barna the Evangelical Church demonstrates the same values as the secular culture. Divorce rates, prejudice, immorality, etc. are found as frequently in today's Church as they are in society. The Church can no longer claim to be the "salt of the earth" or "light of the world." If these pollsters are right, the Church has lost its moorings and is adrift in a sea of compromise.
What happened? Historically, the Church has been a beacon, lighting the path for those lost in non-Christian ethics. People could depend on the Church being an oasis of positive values. It was a fortress to stand against the onslaughts of moral relativity. Now, it is difficult to tell the difference between the church and the world. There are many reasons for the shift. We could discuss theological and cultural compromises which have infected the Church. However, there is a major reason which has contributed to the problem seldom discussed by church leaders. It is the lack of Church Discipline being exercised in today's congregations. In fact, many reading this article may never have heard of the concept of Church Discipline. In an ecclesiastical atmosphere where "love and toleration" are emphasized, Church Discipline can appear like the Spanish Inquisition. However, a proper understanding of the concept will both preserve the purity of Christ's body and help restore God's erring children.
What is Church Discipline?
Church Discipline is best defined by describing its activity. It is a process whereby the Church endeavors to maintain a pure testimony internally and externally. When a Christian in the local assembly persistently violates biblical standards and shows no remorse for his/her behavior, some form of discipline is necessary for the good of the individual and the Church. It may be as mild as a private rebuke, or in severe cases, as radical as a public statement of excommunication.
Biblical evidence abounds for this practice. For example, when Jesus instructed His disciples regarding a "sinning brother" He concluded His remarks by stating, "... if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican."(Matt. 18:15-18) The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthian church to deal swiftly with a case of incest by purging, "... out therefore the old leaven..."(I Cor. 5:7). The Thessalonian Church was exhorted by Paul to obey the words of his letters. Failure to do so necessitated disciplinary action (II Thess. 3:14-15).
A careful study of the biblical passages yields two primary purposes for Church Discipline. First, it is absolutely necessary for the spiritual health of the wayward Christian. It is natural for us to minimize the seriousness of our sin. We often do not see its detrimental effects upon our personal lives or the lives of others. God uses His Church to expose the destructive nature of our trespasses and to correct our behavior. Think in terms of a parent-child relationship. No loving parent would permit his/her child to continue indefinitely in self-destructive behavior. At first mild reprimands would be tried. Those reprimands would give way to more severe actions until the behavior had stopped. Church Discipline is similar.
A second purpose for Church Discipline is the purity of the Church. Sin can subtly spread through a good congregation. It's our nature to think, "If he is doing it, why not me? He professes to be a Christian. People regard him as such. The Church doesn't seem to disallow the behavior, therefore, it can't be that bad. What's good for him is good for me." That's what the Apostle Paul referred to when he wrote, "... do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?"(I Cor. 5:6) If the Church never takes a public stand on biblical values, how can we possibly expect the people in the Church to be different from the world?
A Change of Thinking
Why has Church Discipline faded from church life? There are churches who believe the teaching and practice it when necessary. But, the majority of American churches have practically rejected the doctrine. There are three reasons for the shift. First, there has been a "watering down" of verbal inspiration. Many church leaders no longer believe the Bible is infallible and inerrant. Their sermons are shaped to fit social trends rather than expound the words of Scripture. It is impossible to exercise Church Discipline if you do not have an absolute standard. Second, our generation has witnessed a minimizing of the importance of Church membership. Many Christians spend their lives floating from one church to another, never staying long enough to commit themselves to a local ministry. Consequently, the Church is careful not to be offensive knowing the numerous options available to every Christian. In such a fluid environment it becomes difficult to confront individual sin. Third, Americans are notoriously independent. That independence is brought into the Church. Many Christians would respond to Church Discipline by arguing, "Who are you to tell me what to do. Nobody has the right to meddle in my personal affairs." Unfortunately, that attitude is contrary to the Bible. The Church has authority over every individual within it (including pastors). The very doctrine of Church Discipline implies such authority. When Christians join a church they become part of the local "body of Christ." The local assembly is a microcosm of the Universal Church described in the New Testament as the "bride/body of Christ" with the Lord Himself being the "Groom/Head." The Christian no longer is isolated from God's people, but, is part of a larger family. He/she must think corporately, taking into consideration the entire body. He/she has placed himself/herself under the care and authority of God's gift to His people - the Church. It is this basic biblical teaching that lays the foundation for Church Discipline.
A Final Thought
Will the Church resume her role as "the salt of the earth"? The answer is in a sweeping reformation. Pastors must systematically expound the Scriptures. Christians must obey those scriptures, committing themselves to God and His Church. It will not happen overnight. It is a process which begins with hearts opened to God's truth. If we are ever to be the "light of the world" it must start with a commitment to truth which occasionally will necessitate actions of Church Discipline.
