Should a Church Discipline a Member for Non-Attendance?
Each local church is imperfectly a manifestation of the truth, purity and unity of the body of Christ. Persistent non-attendance for unjustifiable reasons is calculated to destroy the credibility of the church. But discipline needs to be introduced with much wisdom and with the support of the oversight of the congregation. It needs:
Insuring that on becoming communicant member every professing Christian understands what he or she is being committed to in the local church.
The Presbyterian former practice of insisting on a rule of “adherents” (prior to membership) and the Methodist trial-period prior to membership were expressions of a concern for high standards for members.
If discipline is necessary it should be exercised in stages: ==>Personal admonition/counsel from elders. ==>With-holding attendance at the Lord’s Supper (impossible in churches where no supervision exists over who partakes of bread and wine) ==>Removal from membership role.
Two extremes to be avoided: severe, authoritarian standards of discipline, and laxity which ignores unfaithful behavior. The devil’s quest strategy is to blur the line between church and world.
Additional Reading: R.B. Kuiper. The Glorious Body of Christ
By Iain Murray. Resource can be found on www.9marks.org
Ian Murray entered the Christian ministry in 1955 where he served as assistant to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones at Westminster Chapel as well as several other ministry positions. He is a co-founder of Banner of Truth Trust and now is retired and living in Great Britian.
Posted by Steven Lawson on October 13, 2009
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I would like to see the beginning of a new reformation in our day, and I hope you would like to see it too and are praying for it. I hope you have been nauseated with the tawdry entertainment that passes for the true worship of God in many churches and, like saints of the past, are longing for more of the deep truths of the inerrant Word of God. We certainly need a reformation."
Former Senior Pastor, Tenth Presbyterian
Philadelphia, PA
I am reading"The Unwavering Resolve". Question: If I met and talked with Jonathan Edwards would I be talking with a happy person? Hope you can give me some insight on this.
In HIS service with you, Bill.