Article on Church Discipline

[Rhetorician]

Hello to all:

I ran across a very good article on "Church Discipline" at the SBC Voices blog. There they talk about "all things Southern Baptist." But I did see one of our heard had stopped by to have his say. (I hope some here will not hold that again him--or me?)

The article was written by one of our long-term missionaries who has also taught missions at Mid American Baptist Theological Seminary and other SBC institutions. Dr. John Mark Terry has impeccable credentials as a theologian and one who has practiced missions theology. I think you will enjoy the article and it is published for your exhortation and encouragement.

Resurgence in Church Discipline (Mark Terry)

The above article references another one form 9 Marks Ministry. I have posted it also for your viewing pleasure.

“Don’t do it!!” Why You Shouldn’t Practice Church Discipline

Get back to me with insights either good or bad...

rd

 

[rlvaughn]

I thought it was a good article, but disagree with Mark's take on Matthew 18:15, beginning with "one church leader goes alone." This can throw the pastor/church leader into being a busybody going about to "fix" everyone's sins.

A better interpretation of Matthew 18:15-17 is as a method of resolving personal/private offenses. It starts with one of two people in a personal conflict going to the other person to resolve it. If it is resolved at that point, no one else -- including church leadership -- should ever be involved.

R. N. Davis wrote, based on Matthew 18:15 and Matthew 5:23-24, "IF brethren would do as the Lord says, the one doing the wrong and the one wronged would meet in the way, each going to the other for reconciliation." I like that!

For now, I still hold to the way I was taught in church over 40 years ago, that there are 3 classes of Church Discipline: 1. Private offenses, 2. Public offenses, and 3. Doctrinal offenses (which I sometimes refer to as "church fellowship offenses").