Featured Church discipline gone wrong?

The only time someone should be brought before the church is if they are unrepentant.

 

True, though we are commanded in a general sense to confess our sins to one another...(James 5:16)

 

The pattern is from Matthew 18:15-17 and how to respond with a brother who has wronged you.

15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Matt. 18:15-17

But the person is only to be brought in front of the church if he refuses to repent in the other two instances.

 

That does not translate to dragging someone who is repentant in private before the church.

 

That has always been my understanding also. Though I have also heard, "the more public the sin, the more public the confession" - don't see any Biblical support for it though - not that there isn't any, I just have not seen it.

 

I have not seen it either. My position is that regardless of the sin it should go through the process and once repentance has been obtained them the process is over. However, with regard to leadership in the church I believe they should make a public confession if the sin is serious as they resign.

Just a side note, I do not believe failure while in the ministry means one can never serve in that position again. When we create doctrines that hold people's past and repentant sin against them then we should automatically know we are wrong.

 

It depends on the sin. Child predators come to mind. Should they be restored to their office?

 

Of course not. But I think it is great when someone decides to do it on their own. I make a practice of openly confessing my sins from the pulpit. I think open confession keeps us all honest, and combats the "fine-itis" that occurs every Sunday morning....(as in, "How are you doing?" "Fine.").

 

I too have seen this done with a young woman who was about 15 years old and pregnant while not married. It comes from a passage taken out of context in James which reads;
James 5:16
Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

The problem is that if this principle is followed to the letter as they believe then all that would ever get done in a service is confess sin by most everyone every service.

The problem today is that very few churches even follow church discipline of any kind. So it is easy to see why the church is where it is.
When we do things our way instead of God's way we lose.

 

I'm obese, and not afraid to admit from the pulpit that it is a sin I struggle with- one of many. I ask our church folks to pray with me about it and help me by not giving me sweet stuff.

My biggest challenge is that I need to be more active, but with three jobs where I spend the majority of my time sitting down either studying or teaching, and working on a MS degree, it is tough.

Plus I'm in my late 50's so my metabolism isn't what it used to be.

Prayers appreciated.

 

First, lets be clear I am talking of voluntary confession.

Second, the context is not just being sick. James is saying, "Admit your sins to start with" so you don't get sick. So, the Bible is still clear that we should "confess our sins" to one another.

Third, read:

Act 19:17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.
Act 19:18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.