Encouraging Story on Many Levels

There was a front page story last week in our state Baptist newspaper, Baptist & Reflector, that was encouraging on many levels. Of course, there's nothing encouraging about embezzlement by a minister, but what happened as a result of that sad situation was encouraging.

• The church followed the Bible's teachings regarding church discipline.
• The discipline exercised was loving, redemptive, and restorative.
• The church lovingly cared for, encouraged, and financially provided for the disciplined minister's family.
• Ongoing and consistent accountability was provided for the disciplined minister after he was released from prison.
• The disciplined minister was, as a result of church discipline, awakened to his lost state and converted!
• The church restored the disciplined minister back to fellowship and membership after his repentance.
• God was honored, the church was strengthened, and a sinner was saved.

Read the story here.

Reproof - An Ultimate Offer of Genuine Fellowship

"Reproof is unavoidable. God's Word demands it when a brother falls into open sin. The practice of discipline in the congregation begins in the smallest circles....Nothing can be more cruel than the tenderness that consigns another to his sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe rebuke that calls a brother back from the path of sin. It is a ministry of mercy, an ultimate offer of genuine fellowship...."

--Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

9Marks eJournal (Nov/Dec 2009)

The most recent 9Marks eJournal is now available. The issue of church discipline is addressed again. Every pastor ought to read the articles by Mark Dever and Greg Gilbert (especially those of us who are young and sometimes impatiently zealous).

A Long Journey in Church Discipline

Yesterday, Thabiti Anyabwile posted the links to a three-part story of redemptive church discipline practiced by Tom Ascol and Grace Baptist Church. May the Lord give us more stories like this of his redeeming grace!

Read this incredible story here.

Church Discipline

Matt Schmucker, executive director of 9Marks and an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., was interviewed by Moody Radio on the topic of church discipline. Listen to the brief conversation (only 7:30 long) here.