Practicing Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG11

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P R A C T I C I N G C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

3. In all discipline, all parties should become more aware of their own ability to fail and fall; no sense of a “holier-than-thou” spirit should be tolerated.

Can we really exclude believers from our fellowship? “The notion of exclusion from the believing community (excommunication or Church discipline) is captured in a host of

B. Confirm all judgments and accusations in the mouth of two or three witnesses, 1 Tim. 5.19; 2 Cor. 13.1.

terms. In one key passage alone, 1 Corinthians 5, it is expressed in five

1. No judgment should be done on the basis of rumor or appearance, John 7.24.

different ways, using the verbs ‘to remove’, ‘to drive out’, ‘(not) to eat with’, ‘to deliver (to Satan)’ and ‘to purge away’. However, the topic raises questions about the motivations for such drastic action which are not communicated simply by the appearance of such words. The fact that people are to be disciplined is less instructive than the reasons for the judgment. In the Bible serious offenders are excluded from the community because of the solidarity of the community, in order to maintain the holiness of the group, due to a breach of covenant, in the hope of restoration and because of the prospect of salvation.” ~ T. D. Alexander. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (Electronic ed.). Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001.

2. Unjust and unrighteous judgments are an abomination to the Lord; get the facts straight before you dare entertain any judgments against others, Prov. 17.15.

3. Any kind of partiality violates God’s holy standard of kingdom righteousness.

3

a. James 2.1

b. James 2.9

C. Exercise pastoral authority throughout the process of discipline, Heb. 13.17.

1. Do not hesitate to represent the Lord and his Word strongly and clearly in matters where what is true has been proven and made plain, 2 Tim. 4.2.

2. Be careful in all handling of matters, but be clear and firm and fair, 1 Tim. 5.19-21.