Page 144 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

CHURCH DISCIPLINE

for the theory ignores the awful fact of a depraved (3) Preventive discipline is maintained through the
human nature. It would be ideal if men could be preaching and teaching ministry of the church. Church
encouraged to live godly lives without any warning of discipline is exercised when the leaders teach and
judgment upon ungodliness. But to suppose they will do preach the Bible in such a way that God’s people
so is idealistic and contrary to all observation, as well as become what they should be. The kind of preaching and
to Scripture. God warns of impending judgment and teaching a church has will largely (but not entirely, of
says, ‘It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the course) determine what kind of church it will be. The
living God’ (He. 10:31). ‘Because there is wrath, word translated “chasten” in He. 12:6 is translated
beware...’ (Job 36:18). If sin goes unjudged in a church, “instruct” in 2 Ti. 3:16, showing that discipline comes
we are thereby inviting others to become self-indulgent. through the Scriptures. Church leaders who faithfully
It will not do to plead ‘love’ as a basis for neglect. ... preach the Bible are thereby disciplining their members.
God does not put love and punishment in opposition to This ministry requires that the Bible be preached plainly
each other. He says, ‘For whom the Lord loveth he and that it be applied specifically to the lives of the
chasteneth...’ (He. 12:5-11). The church has a solemn hearers. Proverbs 6:23 says “reproofs of instruction are
responsibility to restrain sin by proper discipline. If we the way of life.” The modern “self-esteem” type of
do not exercise the judgment, the Lord will (1 Co. ministry will not discipline the church in holiness.
11:31-32)” (Paul R. Jackson, The Doctrine and Preaching in vague generalities and using examples
Administration of the Church). which miss the mark of the actual condition of the
The Exercise of Church Discipline church family, will not get the job done, either. If people
PREVENTIVE CHURCH DISCIPLINE. “Prevention is the can sit year after year under the preaching of a pastor
best medicine.” This is true in church discipline as well and remain carnal and worldly and unfruitful, there is
as in other areas of life. God’s goal in disciplining His something seriously wrong with the man’s preaching.
children is to cause them to live the right kind of lives. Sound preaching will drive people one way or the other.
He does not want to punish us. He simply wants to It will not allow them to be comfortable in their sin. The
instruct us from His Word by His Spirit and have us focus today on “church growth” rather than on strict
obey (Ps. 32:8-9). He punishes only when we refuse to faithfulness to God and His Word has encouraged a
follow His instructions. Preventive discipline, then, is generation of cowardly preachers who refuse to rebuke
everything the church does in an attempt to cause the sin plainly. Such “preaching” will not provide the
members to live obedient lives and to avoid the need for discipline that the church needs to remain pure before
disciplinary correction. God.
(1) Preventive discipline is maintained through having (4) Preventive discipline is maintained through the
Bible standards for church members (Ac. 2:41-42). This is pastoral ministry of the leaders (1 Th. 2:7-12; Col. 1:28).
a very basic and essential part of church discipline. It is While the preaching ministry of the church is crucial,
impossible to keep the church pure unless efforts are there is also the need for a personal, private ministry to
made to guard the door into church membership by individuals. Love and personal attention is necessary.
seeking to ascertain if people are born again and This is referred to in the title of “pastor,” meaning
committed to the N.T. faith before they are brought onto shepherd. Many Christians have become discouraged
the church roll. because of the failure of church leaders to love and help
(2) Preventive discipline is maintained through having them on an individual basis. I recall such a case in a
church some years ago. The pastor faithfully and in
Bible standards for church officers and workers (1 Ti. 3; great detail taught the Bible, but he did not exercise a
Ja. 3:1). One of the most important ways to encourage personal ministry to the members, and it is not unlikely
high moral standards in a church body is to maintain that this failure was partially to blame for the
high standards for those who teach and who are subsequent divorce of two young married couples in the
involved in any capacity of leadership. These are the church. The pastor did not visit the couples and try to
people who will set the moral tone for the assembly. The help them privately. He did not have time for them.
average church member cannot be expected to live a Today two of the people involved have returned to the
higher standard of Christianity than his officers. If the Lord and to the church, but their lives are marred and
teachers and deacons are worldly and participate in broken by the pain of divorce. It was their own sin that
questionable practices, their students will normally brought this ruin upon them, but it is also possible that
follow this poor example and will be even more worldly the divorces could have been avoided had the pastor
than the teachers. It is wise to have written guidelines fulfilled his responsibility as a shepherd. Contrast this
which state the various standards which are expected of failure with the following testimony of a genuine pastor
any person who is looked upon as a teacher or officer in who recognizes the importance of shepherding his flock:
the church family.

144 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity