Understanding Church Discipline

Church Basics

by Jonathan Leeman

Should we actually practice church discipline today? Is it unloving?

Once an ordinary part of church life, churches gradually stopped practicing church discipline in the 20th century. But Jesus commands it. Paul practiced it. And churches benefit from it. Why practice church discipline? It shows love for the individual caught in sin, love for the whole church, love for non-Christian neighbors, and love for the glory of Christ.

Genres: Ecclesiology, Christian, Church, Leadership, Theology

80 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

JONATHAN LEEMAN is the editorial director of 9Marks, which involves him in editing the 9Marks series of books as well as the 9Marks Journal. He has written a number of books on the church, including Reverberation, and he teaches theology at several seminaries. Jonathan lives with his wife and four daughters in a suburb of Washington, DC and serves as an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington. You can learn more about him and his writing at www.9Marks.org.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the Church Basics series, this is a wise and practical guide to a fraught subject. Recommended for the layman as well as the elder.

[Annie Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It is not love to let a crumble of rock floating in space think it's the sun. And it is not love to let a creature carry on uninterrupted in rebellion against the Creator" (pg. 14)

Man, this was good. Leeman does an excellent work explaining not simply what church discipline is, but why it's absolutely vital for churches to practice it AND how we, as members of the church, are to carry out the command to correct and discipline one another. Before reading this, "discipline" sounded scary and final. Though it certainly isn't the most comfortable part of belonging to a local church, it IS a vital part of discipleship. Biblical church discipline is anything but punitive - it emanates from a longing for holiness and love for one another and for God. It's a means by which the Lord conforms us to the image of Jesus and we grow in godliness together. As Leeman puts it, "church discipline exists because God is holy, and because his holiness is good". Church members will be the safest and most cared for in the churches where our leaders and fellow members fear the Lord. This fear is the beginning of wisdom, as we see throughout Proverbs, and thus the foundation for healthy & holy churches. Definitely revisiting this booklet in the future!

[Noel Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very good. I have been very impressed by Leeman's work. This book, Leeman says, is geared more for the lay church member for what discipline is and how it should work in the church. There are many examples of situations he himself has been in and there is a lot of application to what he is teaching. Many will be surprised that church discipline has always been a common and necessary church practice until recent hostory when it just began to fade away. Lee man makes the case for why it is important, why it's Biblical, and how to go about using it. I was able to finish this in a few settings and found it easy to follow. I listened to this one on audiobook.

[Mark D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helps the church member and leader understand church discipline. The leader of a church can profit from this book also as he thinks about discipling the members of his church. What I found most interesting is the discussion of discipline being a task of individual members. Not every act of discipline is an act of the church. An issue is not taken before the church until the members have attempted to resolve the issue.

[Mark Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for internship.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this small book on my first quarantine and finished it (coincidentally) in my second quarantine! Lol

Nice short overview! I especially loved the last two chapters where there is a lot of good instructions and wisdom.

[Cole Kliewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and concise read. Good introduction into the mind, heart, and practice of church discipline.

[Billy Ji · Rating 4 out of 5]

May need to re-read again. Good book.

[Hannah Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this is the third time I’ve read a book or chapter on the topic of church discipline, and I find it uniquely important that all of the texts suggest that church discipline is best accomplished by every member of a church body in holding each other accountable as friends and fellow members rather than by the church leadership (unless the issue is persisting), yet I don’t remember this practice being taught clearly within the church or even discussed thoroughly in membership introductions, covenants, or meetings. I would love to see the church more widely discuss the role and implications of effective accountable church discipline that is encouraging and helps each other to reunite with Christ in a loving and just way.

That aside, I really appreciated this authors perspective on the importance of discernment in the midst of church discipline. That grace and patience can and often should be applied, but that a prayerfully sought guidance is key to the positive outcomes of church discipline.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a looking for a book on the topic of church discipline and you are not a pastor/elder and you are a member of the church, this is a great introduction. This is part of a Church Basics series put out by B&H Publishing Group and its great that the format is something short and readable for the general audience. I have previously read the author’s work on Congregational authority that is also in this series and that impressed me enough that I thought I read another book in this series. Those reading this review need to know I do not agree with the author’s political perspective but I did find this book helpful in regards to this topic of church discipline.
After the preface to the series the book has seven chapters and a conclusion. Chapter one is on the responsibility of church members in regards to the congregational’s role in church discipline and the next chapter is titled “Get Ready for Work” which covers five characteristics of the right mental framework and heart posture for discipline including trusting in the power of the Gospel to change, you should love with God’s love and not the world’s love, etc. Chapter three is on the local church as the place where believers work. The next two chapters is on the bolts and mechanics of church discipline and here I think the author is helpful with discussion of not only biblical principle but how this is carried out practically. Chapter six goes over “Working with Others” and it is helpful concerning what church discipline looks like when we involve others, ranging from individuals, the elders, the congregation as a whole and also other churches. The final chapter is on the abuse of church discipline and addresses the concern of church discipline used improperly; this is a very, very important chapter and probably one where I gave more “amen” than the others. There’s a final conclusion on Gospel courage and the fear of man.
As I said earlier the last chapter is very, very important. I have met some who are into this 9 Marks program that have ulterior motive with wanting to have more control of the church as their agenda and it is ironic that they can use 9 Marks materials even though the contents teach plurality of elders and congregationalism. I highlighted in chapter seven this quote from the book, “A man or a church who says ‘He must increase, but I must decrease,’ is far less likely to abuse authority and discipline. The man or the church who is always trying to increase is more likely to abuse it” (58). I think young men who read this book need to take heed to this counsel.
Overall here is my assessment: I think if readers read this it will be very helpful for their own understanding of what God wants for the church and will impact practically one’s church life. But be wise in how you apply what you learn.

[Alex Shepard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that is super practical while also explaining the biblical basis for church discipline. Permanent talks about how rebuking brothers and sisters in Christ is a fulfillment of His law, and he also says that failure to do so is to forsake this law.
I especially liked that he mentions that church discipline is not only for the leaders of the church. Every church member is responsible to build one another up in love. Our aim in church discipline must first be to reconcile our fellow believer to Christ and His church.

[Helen Cunha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leitura interessante pra quem quer começar a entender melhor sobre o assunto. Leeman trabalha o princípio de que a disciplina é responsabilidade de todo cristão membro de uma igreja, propõe alguns questionamentos para nosso autoexame e apresenta de forma geral (e com breves exemplos) os processos relatados em Mt 18 e 1Co 5. Senti falta de uma abordagem mais profunda, mas recomendo a leitura.

[Jon Pentecost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful, concise description of what church discipline is and why it is needed. Does a wonderful job of conveying the good in discipline, and rightly presents it as growing out of love and care for a person in sin.

Highly recommend for any Christian.

[Grant Fawcett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful little book, a topic every Christian should carefully consider; handled clearly and pastorally. We can take for granted various aspects of ecclesiology and in so doing, apply them poorly, Leeman challenges this reality.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to and overview of church discipline. An easy read on the topic.

[Ben Palm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was short and punchy. Great examples and good truths.

[Jonathan Maikell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book that makes the case for discipline starting on a small 1-1 relational scale. We think of the big events which are important but the process of congregational holiness starts small.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. Essentially a summary of Don't Fire Your Church Members and the IX Marks Church Discipline book.

[Mark Joubert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful layman's guide to Church discipline, a means of grace that has fallen on hard times.

[Caroline McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical and insightful look into the necessity of church discipline.

[Ryan Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful booklet you could easily give to a church member to help them understand why we should practice church discipline, and what it looks like.

[Colter Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly challenging topic in practice. This book is immensely helpful for understanding both the Biblical support and practical application of discipline.

[Adam Bloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthwhile short read on the necessity and nuts and bolts of church discipline.

[Jesus Salgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Church discipline in today's church is very rarely demonstrated, but to be a healthy church, this is one aspect of church government that should be practiced. One big thing I gleaned from the book is church discipline is a lot more than ex-communication from the body, it’s how we grow within the body, its discipleship it is building, and it unifies. This book gives those simple and basic truths, in a quick precise matter.

[Tyson Bohlinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Shot Treatment on Church Discipline

This is solid short and concise book on church discipline. I appreciate the way Leeman presents the case for church discipline and provides application as well as the ways in which there can be abuse of discipline. Overall, I recommend it.

[Stephen Clardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. A helpful and concise treatment of the subject.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This barely made a 3 stars, but it did. This was made for the layman and it shows. I felt as if there were so many areas that deserved nuance and explanation but was left standing alone. As the pages went by like an army of ants, I kept reminding myself that this was a series that literally has the word "basics" in there, and that qualm was calmed. Still, there are more beneficial books on this topic including another by the same author where a more robust treatise is offered.

Used for Southern Baptist Heritage and Mission at SBTS

[Rodrigo Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente livreto que trata de uma assunto tão importante porém esquecido em grande parte das igrejas evangélicas hoje, a disciplina. O autor aborda como devemos praticar a disciplina e como a Bíblia aponta para essa pratica. Recomendo a leitura.

[Jónatas Rafael Lopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Óptimo resumo dos outros livros sobre este assunto