East Maple

It wasn’t that long ago when churches used to discipline their members. Then things changed. The tides turned. Culture influenced the church. Churches became more interested in reaching the lost than holding those in our care accountable. And church members liked it too (because nobody initially enjoys accountability). But this change came with dangerous consequences.

Without accountability growth cannot occur. More importantly, without accountability a backwards drift (a decline) is inevitable. This is exactly what we’ve seen in the church. Accountability went by the wayside and what we’ve seen is the rise of this buffet-style Christianity where you can pick and choose what you’d prefer to enjoy without dealing with any of the consequences of eating dessert for dinner. We’ve grown fat, we’ve grown lazy, and we’ve come to not only turned a blind eye to sin but we’ve also come to accept it in a lot of Christian circles.

We need more church discipline and we need it yesterday.

When I say that though, I’m sure you cringe. I’m sure you feel like I’m this oppressive white man wanting to enact injustice on the lower class. But that’s not at all the image that church discipline should bring. So, let’s set the record straight.

Church discipline is a loving act of correction that holds us all accountable. It’s a way for the leaders in a church to point out areas in our lives where we’ve begun to fall short (with the intention that we’d repent and course correct before it’s too late). To not practice church discipline isn’t loving at all. In fact, it’s the opposite. To not hold each other accountable is like a friend that doesn’t tell you the truth when it hurts (which is no friend at all).

We need church discipline.

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”

Matthew 18:15 (ESV)