Discipline

Church discipline is rarely practiced, often because of past misuse or abuse. We must, however, take into account the whole counsel of God, and not just the comfortable parts. We are our brother’s keepers and as such we owe them love, encouragement and warning when the dangers of sin become known. If this were the norm we would see little formal church discipline. The missing element is often relationships of love and concern. If we seek to build strong relationships of openness, honesty, and accountability there would be no need for Church discipline. History, however, shows us that even today’s spiritualgiant can become tomorrow’s spiritual failure. For that reason, the New testament assumes we will face trials of interpersonal integrity. Here is what God says about it:

15 “And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.
16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED.
17 “And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer.
18 “Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
(Matthew 18: 15-18, NASB).

Church discipline is never to punish or belittle. It is to save and restore. In the event that our officers are needed to resolve such problems, they will do so deliberately, in an orderly fashion, respecting all due process, ever mindful that our ultimate accountability is to Jesus and the purity of His Church.

The Process:

  • Personal private warning.
  • Witness of two or three.
  • Involvement of the officers.
  • Forbidding Communion.
  • Excommunication.

If at any step there is repentance, our brother has been won. If persistent sin continues, we number them among the non-believers who are deaf to the Good Shepherd.

  • Back to Main Page

    • Recent Updates

    Cover Dish Meals

    Come and join us for meals on Wednesday nights...More…

    New Calendar

    Check out our New Calendar for Upcoming Events... More…

    Listen to Sermon

    Click to listen to Sundays sermon... Listen…

    CFC Gazette

    Find out what's new in the CFC Gazette... More…

    Location

    Worship Service begins at 10:30AM
    417A Connell Road
    Valdosta, GA 31602
    Phone: 229-241-7600
    Fax: 229-253-8332
    Map…