{"id":12320,"date":"2024-11-04T09:00:40","date_gmt":"2024-11-04T14:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/?p=12320"},"modified":"2026-03-11T13:22:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:22:37","slug":"church-discipline-stewardship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/church-discipline-stewardship.htm","title":{"rendered":"Church Discipline is a Matter of Stewardship"},"content":{"rendered":"

God has given us an entrustment far more precious than money or other possessions — the lives of people … “God’s flock that is under your care” (1 Pet. 5:3). When we grasp our responsibility to God for those entrusted to us, church discipline becomes a matter of stewardship<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Why We Should See Church Discipline as a Stewardship<\/h2>\n

The word “entrust in 1 Peter 5:3 means that which has been allotted to us. If we look at Jesus’ parable in Matthew 5:14-30, we see that we may have been given more or less than someone else, but the responsibility is the same. We’re to be good and faithful stewards of whatever we’ve been given.<\/p>\n

The man going on a journey “called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them”. When he returned those who invested their money heard, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:21, 23). The man who simply buried it, was rebuked and suffered loss because he did nothing (Matt. 25:24-28).<\/p>\n

How much more, when the entrustment is people, should we aim at helping them grow. Sin blocks growth so it must be dealt with. We can’t just ignore it as good and faithful stewards.<\/p>\n

How to be Good and Faithful Stewards When It Comes to Disciplining Erring Believers<\/h2>\n

We first need to grasp the significance of what God entrusts to church leaders. According to 1 Peter 5:2-3, we’re entrusted with HIS flock. They belong to the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4). Since they belong to Him, we should follow His objective for people to be holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:15-16). People-pleasing leaders will struggle with church discipline because their goal tends to be keeping people happy.<\/p>\n

\"ChurchIn addition to aligning with the Chief Shepherd’s objective, we must follow His agenda. Let’s consider how phrases in 1 Peter. 5:2-3 could relate to church discipline and stewardship.<\/p>\n

“Be shepherds” –<\/strong><\/em> Let’s make sure we’re discipling people<\/a> to help prevent the need for discipline. If discipline is necessary, then let’s\u00a0 still seek to make it an opportunity for spiritual growth.<\/p>\n

“under your care, watching over them” –<\/strong> This is the Greek word, episkopeo<\/em>, suggesting we’re overseers. It comes from epi<\/em>, meaning “upon” and skopeo<\/em>, meaning “to look at, contemplate” (Vine’s Dictionary). We need to know people well enough to be aware of their spiritual condition. We must heed the words of Proverbs 27:23 to “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds” to know when discipleship must include discipline.<\/p>\n

“not because you must, but because you are willing” –<\/em> <\/strong>We need to care so much about people’s relationship with God that we’re willing to do what’s necessary to help them live in the fullness of who He is.<\/p>\n

“as God wants you to be” –<\/strong> <\/em>All we do as leaders must be about aligning with God’s heart and ways, not pleasing people. At the same time, however, we show His love to people which sometimes means disciplining them as “the Lord disciplines the one he loves” (Heb. 12:6).<\/p>\n

“not pursuing dishonest gain” –<\/em> <\/strong>We must approach discipline with honest intent, humility, and integrity of heart, avoiding any hint of manipulation or hypocrisy.<\/p>\n

“but eager to serve” –<\/strong> <\/em>Discipline is about wanting to truly help people, not punish them.<\/p>\n

“not lording it over” –<\/strong><\/em> Discipline is about ministering to people, not controlling them.<\/p>\n

“being examples” –<\/em> <\/strong>We must make sure our hearts are right. Let’s not be hypocritical, trying to take the speck out of someone’s eye when we have a log in our own (Matt. 7:3-5).<\/p>\n

Result of Properly Stewarding the People We Serve<\/h2>\n

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (1 Pet. 5:4)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For More, Go To:\u00a0Resources to Help Leaders in Their Role as Stewards<\/a><\/p>\n

All Posts about Church Discipline:<\/h3>