The Individual’s Responsibility in Church Discipline, Part 5

The role of correction, rebuke, and exhortation in the christian life.

After looking at the previous four parts of church discipline regarding the biblical foundation, the purpose and pattern of church discipline, and the principles of discipline in non-profit settings, one could be left thinking that church discipline is reserved only for the pastors of the flock or the leaders of an organization.

The role of the pastor has a specific role in carrying out the essential nature of church discipline. This role is to make sure those who are committing regular, egregious sins be confronted and offered a chance for restoration from the level of church leadership (Matt 18:15-20). Pastors are primarily responsible for overseeing the local flock and making sure the membership in the body of Christ is kept from those who are truly following Jesus (Gal 6:1). Yet, at the same time, each believer has the call and responsibility to correct, rebuke, and exhort fellow believers who may be in sin as this is a form of discipleship.[1]

In all of our lives, God brings along certain people where we have a place to influence (Prov 13:20), sharpen (Prov 27:17), and spur (Heb 10:24) them into the image of Christ. Some have a front-row seat to the brokenness and sinfulness in a person’s life. The temptation is to think “let the professionals” handle the sin in people’s lives. Yet, if we take Scripture seriously, where Satan “comes to kill, steal, and destroy” (John 10:10-29) we cannot stand idly by as our brother walks in sin. We need to roll up our sleeves and jump into the messiness of relationships. As we jump, we need to seek the highest good of our brother or sister and fight on behalf of them when sin is ruling in their life.

The question becomes, “well, what can I do if ...