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10 Things You Should Know about Church Discipline


Often criticized, neglected; and at the same time, often abused is the practice of church discipline. 

It is the most difficult of tasks set before the church. It takes love and courage to do this work. 


Here is a summarized post what was written by Jonathan Leeman on the Crossway blog. Here is the link where you will find all the points explained. 10 Things You Should Know about Church Discipline 

I highly recommend you read it on the link above. 

10 Things You Should Know about Church Discipline.
March 07, 2016 by: Crossway

1. Jesus and Paul both command churches to practice church discipline.

2. “Church discipline” goes by different names.

3. Nearly every organization practices discipline.

4. Churches should practice discipline for the sake of love.

5. Church discipline was a common practice among churches until the 20th century.

6. A failure to practice church discipline undermines the preaching, discipling, and evangelism ministry of a church.

7. Churches should move to the final step of church discipline (excommunication) only for sins that are unrepentant, outward, and significant.

8. The goal of discipline is always restoration.

9. Churches must take great care against abuses of discipline.

10. "When discipline leaves a church, Christ goes with it."


Jonathan Leeman (MDiv, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist in Washington, DC. He serves as director of communications for 9Marks and is the editor of its eJournal. He is the author of Church DisciplineChurch Membership, and The Church © 2001 – 2016 CROSSWAY

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