A brief synopsis of church discipline and its practical application in today's contemporary world, with biblical illustrations outlining the disciplinary approach to secret sin, open sin, and false prophets in the church.

More and more church leaders, pastors, and members are looking for guidance on how to practice church discipline in a biblical way. Here is a contemporary and concise how-to guide that provides a theological framework for understanding and implementing disciplinary measures in the local church, along with several examples of real-life situations. Drawing on both Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5, this brief hardback helps leaders face the endless variety of circumstances and sins for which no exact scriptural case study exists, sins which don't show up on any list and need a healthy framework to be corrected appropriately in love. This volume is part of the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series. Look for upcoming, quick-read formats of the following marks of a healthy church: expositional preaching, biblical theology, the gospel, conversion, evangelism, church membership, discipleship and growth, and church leadership.

Are you your brother's keeper? In this work, originally titled “Church-Reformation Promoted,” Cawdrey deals with Matthew 18:15-17, “If your brother trespasses against thee, etc.” demonstrating the need and necessity of church discipline, and the importance of it. He shows that church discipline is both corrective and preventive. He also demonstrates that discipline furthers true, biblical Reformation in the Christian’s personal life, in his family life, and in the life of the church. This is a scholarly and biblically faithful work that is a must read for today’s contemporary church, and for every elder that oversees God's flock. This is not a facsimile or scanned document. It is newly typeset with an active table of contents for electronic versions.

Mention church discipline and people often react in discomfort. But did you know that Jesus made discipline a test of whether a church meets His approval (Revelation 2–3)? In The Scandal of Undisciplined Disciples, James Durham helps us to understand the matter by defining the nature of discipline and explaining when it is necessary. He identifies practical issues related to administering church discipline and shows how we can know when a case has been satisfactorily resolved. He also explains why simply leaving a church fails to address the issue and even provides practical advice for unfortunate instances when discipline is defective. Now presented in modern English, Durham’s classic treatment on the importance of church discipline can be used to edify a new generation. Table of Contents: 1. Why Does Church Discipline Matter? 2. When Is Church Discipline Necessary? 3. How Should Church Courts Handle Disciplinary Cases? 4. When Has a Discipline Case Been Satisfactorily Resolved? 5. What Practical Issues Arise in Administering Church Discipline? 6. Why Does Separation from a Church Fail to Address the Issue? 7. What Should Church Members Do when Discipline Is Defective?

This is a handbook for pastors, elders, and all Christians who want to see how Scripture presents the process of discipline that should operate in the Christian community. It was written in response to the various concerns that threaten to tear apart marriages, families, friendships, and congregations--concerns that call for a biblical approach to discipline that can heal fractures, restore right relationship, and ensure the health of the church. Developed around the five corrective steps found especially in Matthew 18:15-17, this book helps church leaders deal with the sorts of problems that require the church’s disciplinary response. Charting a course that combines discernment with appropriate action, this simple, readable handbook can have a profound effect on the community of believers.

Many new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Church Questions is a series by 9Marks that seeks to provide Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment. In this concise booklet, Jonathan Leeman presents succinct biblical answers to various questions posited about the nature and application of church discipline, conveying that Scripture presents church discipline as both loving and necessary for yielding life, health, holiness, and growth in the local church body.