Caring for Members in Unrepentant Sin

Member Care Meeting, November 17, 2024

The Grace of God in Discipline

The grace of God is profoundly evident in the loving, intentional, and consistent discipline He provides. As believers united in Christ, we recognize that, as sinners, we each need the redemption offered by the Lord Jesus. Hebrews 12 reminds us that the struggle against sin continues throughout our lives (v. 4) and calls us to fix our eyes on Christ as our example (v. 3). Because we are now sons and daughters of God, His loving discipline will shape our lives as we grow in holiness (vv. 5-8). This discipline, though painful at times, serves a good purpose: it refines us so that we may share in His holiness (v. 10).

Discipline is one of the ways God’s grace works in us to bring about transformation. It is not a sign of His rejection but rather of His love, showing that He is actively working for our good. As Hebrews 12:11 teaches, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

What Do We Mean by Discipline?

In the New Testament, the Father's discipline is normalized as a necessary part of spiritual growth. Historically, this has been known as formative discipline, encompassing preaching, teaching, observance of the ordinances, and discipleship that nurtures believers toward maturity (Ephesians 4:13). This daily struggle against sin is part of progressive sanctification—the process of becoming more like Christ.

However, when a believer moves from struggling against sin to tolerating or embracing sin, formal or corrective discipline becomes necessary. In such cases, a faithful church must step in, correcting the individual with the aim of bringing about repentance and restoration (Gal. 6:1-2).

Authority for Discipline

Jesus establishes the church’s authority to enact discipline in Matthew 18:15-20, confirmed by passages such as 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 and Galatians 6:1-2. Discipline is both a privilege and responsibility entrusted to the church to preserve holiness, restore the sinner, and protect the testimony of Christ.

• The process of discipline involves gradual exhortation as needed, starting privately (Matthew 18:15-16) and, if unrepentance persists, expanding to involve the church.
• The final step of discipline is to view the unrepentant member as an unbeliever (Matthew 18:17), which involves removal from membership and intentional, loving interaction with the gospel.
• The goal of discipline is always repentance and restoration, which should be pursued lovingly, prayerfully, and patiently at every stage (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).

The Role of Elders and Congregation in Discipline

The elders lead the process of discipline (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-5) by shepherding both the individual and the congregation through each stage. However, the congregation has the ultimate authority (Matthew 18:17) in enacting discipline and calling the individual to repentance. The following steps outline the biblical process:

1. Initial Meeting: One or two members privately approach the individual about their sin (Matthew 18:15-16).
2. Involving the Elders: If the person refuses to repent, elders become involved and guide further steps of correction (Hebrews 13:17).
3. Telling the Church: When necessary, the elders inform the congregation during a members-only meeting, allowing time for prayer, outreach, and appeals for repentance (Matthew 18:17a).
4. Final Step: If unrepentance persists, the congregation votes to remove the person from membership and prays for their restoration to Christ and His Church (Matthew 18:17b; 1 Cor. 5:2).

Practical Application of Discipline and Restoration

Church discipline is not formulaic; every situation requires pastoral discernment. However, the following principles provide a guide:

What Church Discipline Is Not:

1. It is not gossip or slander. Discipline must be based on confirmed, verifiable evidence and communicated biblically (Matthew 18:15-16).
2. It is not limited to certain sins. Any unrepentant sin, no matter how "private," affects the body of Christ (e.g., Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Cor. 5:9-11; 12:14; Eph 4:7-16).
3. It is not punitive. The wages of sin are paid by Christ; the church operates by grace, seeking restoration (Galatians 6:1).
4. It is not permanent. Restoration is always possible through repentance (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).
5. It does not declare someone unsaved. While discipline suggests concern about the person’s spiritual state and union with Christ’s Body, only God knows the heart (1 Corinthians 5:4-5).
6. It does not prohibit attendance. Physical separation may be necessary for safety, the conscience of others, or through specific biblical command (see below), but repentance is always the desired outcome.

What Church Discipline Is:

1. Only for Professing Members: It applies to those who publicly profess Christ and are members of the local church (Matthew 18; Hebrews 12).
2. Removal from Membership: The church no longer affirms the individual's standing as part of the body of Christ, which is a matter of biblically-defined assurance for a believer (1 Corinthians 5:2, 5).
3. Focused on Unrepentant Sin: It addresses verifiable, significant and persistent sin marked by a refusal to repent, even when corrected with love and truth (Matthew 18:15-17).
4. Always Pursues Restoration: Restoration should be pursued wisely and as soon as possible when repentance is clear (2 Corinthians 2:6-7).
5. May Include Attendance Restrictions: In certain situations (e.g., abuse, dangerous behavior, or by specific biblical command), elders may ask the individual to refrain from attending services. We would insist he or she refrains from participating in the Lord’s Supper until restoration occurs (Galatians 6:2).
6. Involves Congregational Authority: The congregation (Matthew 18:17).
7. Instructs the Church on Interaction: After removal, the elders will instruct the congregation on appropriate interaction with the individual:
• In most cases, evangelize them as an unbeliever (Matthew 18:17).
• In cases of false teaching or divisiveness, separation may be necessary (Romans 16:17; Titus 3:10-11).
• Family members should continue fulfilling familial obligations (Ephesians 6:1-3; 1 Peter 3:1-2).

Special Considerations for Discipline

1. Accusations against Elders: 1 Timothy 5:19-22 requires two or three witnesses for accusations against elders. If found guilty and unrepentant, the elder is to be publicly rebuked.
2. Divisive Individuals: Those who sow division should be warned twice, then avoided if unrepentant (Titus 3:10-11).
3. False Teachers: The church must guard against false teachers and separate from them (Romans 16:17).
4. Public Sins: Public sins, such as in 1 Corinthians 5, may require more and immediate action by the congregation.

Handling Membership Resignations During Discipline

If a member attempts to resign after the process of discipline has started, the elders will determine whether to continue with the process to uphold the integrity of the body. Discipline may be necessary to warn other churches, uphold the testimony of Christ, and lovingly care for the member seeking to resign instead of repenting of sin.

Why Discipline Is Essential

Church discipline is an act of love, commanded by God to protect the purity of the church and give testimony to the power of the gospel (Hebrews 12:5-6, 10-11; 1 Peter 2:9-12). Discipline ensures that the church is a faithful witness to the world, demonstrating that Jesus not only saves us from sin but transforms us into His likeness.

The elders commit to prayerful, loving oversight, pursuing repentance and restoration at every stage of discipline until Christ instructs the church to put someone out of the church membership. Even then, the church continues to pray for their repentance and restoration.