Petros Baptist Church

I’ve made mention a number of times the sad fact that Church discipline is disregarded in many places and congregations these days. So, I was glad to see in Baptist Press this story, which says, in part

Increasing numbers of Southern Baptists are claiming that church discipline is not merely a relic of the past. Some churches have instituted a process drawn from Scripture of correcting and, if need be, eventually dismissing unrepentant members for public sins. The ultimate goal of the discipline process is repentance and restoration of sinners, the churches say, citing Baptists of past centuries as examples of how church discipline can benefit individuals and churches.

Good! And the essay has it just right when it concludes

“Get people to understand that our goal is always restoration,” York said. “Our goal isn’t a clean church role. Our goal is restoration. Get them to buy into that concept. Then I think you can really bring them on board.”

I’m not too keen on the notion of getting folk to “buy into” something- because Church discipline isn’t something that needs to be “sold”. It simply needs to be practiced according to the model set forth in Matthew 18.

I sincerely hope that this trend continues, widens, spreads, and becomes all pervasive- not only in Southern Baptist Churches but in every Christian Church.