Featured Church Discipline Effective;Necessary or Outdated; Unnecessaryah?

As far as these two sisters - I never advocated they be removed from membership - only that they not be in any leadership position.

Problem is there were no other mature Christians in the church . IMHO - it was nothing more than a social club. As Assistant Pastor, I tried to instill just simple things such as bring your Bible each week, learn the books of the Bible, memorize (even short) Bible verses, regular attendance.
We would average about 20-25 in MW, but only 5 in Sunday School. Seems people did not want to get up earlier for some good Bible teaching.
Yet, when we would have a Breakfast - everyone would be there with bells on. - that is except for me. I finally decided to boycott those breakfasts - especially when the would cancel SS for the Breakfast.
I recommended to the pastor that we have Sunday School after MW - in order to encourage people to attend SS - but to no avail.

This was just the tip of the problem.......

 

Church discipline is vital in the health of the church. Brushing away sin is wrong and when it is an obvious sin that affects the church, it is time to take some action. It needs to be done with grace and mercy - as well as firmness and love. We have had to do it numerous times and sometimes it results in hurt feelings, anger and resentment - and the person/people leaving and other times it has led to repentance and restoration - which is the ultimate goal. But even should it mean the end of the church, it should still be practiced because otherwise we have a very unhealthy church creating new unhealthy people. That is just not Biblical.

 

True -
Now let me add a little more - One of them said she never actually was saved as a teen - and made a decision to accept the Lord - But continued to live with her boyfriend. Why didn't she get married right away ? the divorce from her first husband had not been finalized. Yes, she finally did get married. I refused to attend the wedding.

My wife and I have decided not to return to this church - even though we have to drive farther to another church. Nothing has changed - and I don't expect anything will.

 

So she said she was saved, was living in adultery and had a child by the second man? Was this the girl who was in ministry????

 

Yes, standing up front with the worship team nice and PG. - until I said something to the pastor.

 

OK - Did the pastor not notice or was he waiting for someone to say something before he acted? Heck, we've pulled people from the worship team for a time when we know that they are having some relational issues or struggles in their life but all out obvious sin like that??? Oh my word, there is NO way!