TRITON-UBF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP CLASSES ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHURCH DISCIPLINE

Accountability As Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1-2)

The Basis for Members’ Accountability As members of Christ’s body we belong to each other (Romans 12:4-5). In Christ we are to build each other up (Ephesians 4:15-16). In Christ we are to keep each other from stumbling so that our ministry not to be discredited (2 Co 6:3).

How We Keep Each Other Accountable? Telling the truth to each other (Eph4:15,25; Col3:9) Praying for each other (Eph6:18; Jas5:14-15; 1Jn5:16a) Confessing sin to each other (Ac19:18; Jas5:16) Building each other up (Ro15:2; 1 Cor14:12; Eph4:29; 1Th5:11; Jude 1:20; see also Heb3:13; 10:24-25) Encouraging each other (2Co13:11; 1Th4:18; 5:11,14) Caring for each other’s needs (1Jn3:17-18)

What It Means to Hold Each Other Accountable Helping each other live with Christ as Lord of one’s personal life Helping each other live with Christ as Lord of our community Helping each other grow as disciples, sharers in world mission, and givers Whatever may be causing a fellow brother or sister to stray from these, we should pray about

Warnings to Address Sin in a Fellow Member We need to be alert about people who cause divisions and who veer from gospel teachings (Read Romans 16:17-19) - Bad influence of disobedience - Legalism We need to withhold fellowship from those who sin deliberately, claiming there is nothing wrong with their sin (Read 1 Corinthians 5:11)

Purpose of Discipline Spiritual restoration of fallen members and consequent strengthening of the church and glorifying of the Lord Not to condemn or exclude fallen members from the church Recovering the lost (Matthew 18:15)

Process of Discipline Matthew 18: “If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (NIV) Four step process: (1) tell him his sin alone; (2) take some witnesses; (3) tell the church; and (4) treat him as an outsider.

Step One & Two Step One: Confront the member about his/her sin privately (Matt 18:15) Step Two: Take one or two more believers along to confront the member again (Matt 18:16)

Step Three Tell it to the church (Matt 18:17a) The church validates it by investigation

Step Four If unrepentant, the final step is exclusion (Matt 18:17b). To protect the church To give a testimony of righteousness to a watching world To awaken the fallen member, not to punish but to restore

Conditions for Discipline Serious sin problem along the Scriptures Ensnared in sin as a part of a lifestyle of disregard for God’s will, rather than an existential fall from grace Admonished at least twice Not repentant Given time to make a sober decision about repentance Church leadership and elders (the Board) consulted

Example sins for Discipline Sexual immorality, idolatry, slandering, drunkenness and swindling (1 Cor 5:11) Division of the church (Titus 3:10-11) False teaching (1 Tim 1:20) Various types of social violence such as rape (Deut 22:25- 27, 2 Sam 13:12-13), assault, domestic violence (Prob 21:7, Psalm 11:5), child abuse (Mt 18:6-7, Col 3:21, Eph 6:4), drug abuse, and unrighteous divorce (Mt 19:6-9)

Reinstating Membership Clear evidence of repentance, or demonstration of effort to terminate the sin Recommitment to the Lord and Church Membership Covenant Approval of the church leadership and elders In case of material loss, restitution or agreement on a restoration plan Special consideration for sensitive sins

References Lincoln Park UBF Membership class Grace Community Church (2001). Church discipline. retrieved from urch-discipline Xenos Christian Fellowship (2002). Practicing church discipline in Xenos. Retrieved from ml#sthash.cjW13f9y.dpuf

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