Church discipline is not a “feel good” sort of thing. Neither the one being disciplined nor the one doing the discipline feels good about it … at least they shouldn’t.
The Objective for Church Discipline
The purpose of disciplining is not to make people feel good but rather to help them become good … specifically, to become holy as God is holy. God’s discipline of His children provides a good example:
God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Heb. 12:10-11)
Until we make holiness the objective, we will be reticent to discipline when we should.
The Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide also includes four truths about this objective that church leaders need to grasp.
All Posts about Church Discipline:
- Church Discipline Because of Church Purpose
- Lack of Church Discipline Against God’s Purposes
- Church Discipline Must Exemplify God’s Purposes
- Involvement of Body in Church Discipline
- Body Life Can Prevent Need for Church Discipline
- Discipleship and Church Discipline
- Discipleship Not Church Discipline
- Holiness the Objective for Church Discipline
- Lack of Holiness Affects the Whole Body
- Holiness Dictates HOW We Exercise Church Discipline
- Authority & Power Needed in Church Discipline
- Pivotal Role of Holy Spirit in Church Discipline
- Church Discipline But They Didn’t Change
- The Standard for Conduct
- The Power of Grace in Church Discipline
- If His Name is Holy Then …
- Prayer is Essential as a Preventative and When in Process
- When Christians Need Correction
- God’s Word Brings Correction
- It’s Not About Giving Up on People