Discipline

4 Reasons You Should Preach through 1 Corinthians

By J. Mack Stiles | 11.18.2019

Let me give you four reasons why it’s worth it to preach through 1 Corinthians.

“Is This a Sin?”: Ethical Triage and Church Discipline

By Andrew T. Walker | 10.02.2019

When it comes to ethical conflicts facing local churches, we need to carefully distinguish categories of “may” (permissible), “should/should not” (advisable), and “must” (obligatory).

7 Well-Meaning Objections to Church Discipline — And How Pastors Ought to Respond to Them

By C. Greggsen, S. Emadi | 07.05.2019

Let’s briefly consider some of the “good-faith” objections to discipline we’ve encountered and how we try to help church members understand the theological principles undergirding discipline.

Stories of Restoration after Church Discipline

By J. Kurz, J. Folmar, P. Newton | 9Marks Journal: Church Membership: Following the Lord Together | 05.07.2019

We asked three pastors to share a story of restoration—that is, someone who had been restored to membership after being disciplined for unrepentant sin.

Mailbag #76: The Role of Matthew 18’s “One or Two Witnesses” . . . Must Christians Go to Church Every Sunday? . . . How to Care for an Unwed & Pregnant Member

By B. Johnson, J. Kurz, P. Martin | 03.01.2019

Three pastors answer one question each about church discipline, church attendance, and caring for a church member who is unwed and pregnant.

Why Your Doctrine of Perseverance Demands Church Discipline

By Raymond Johnson | 9Marks Journal: Ecclesiology for Calvinists | 02.05.2019

A “once saved, always saved” motif that doesn’t understand conversion and its vital connection to a church shouldn’t comfort anyone in any way.

Best Books for Pastors in 2018

By Alex Duke | 12.21.2018

We asked pastors from around the world a simple question: what books did you read in 2018 that helped you be a better pastor?

Does Pornography Use Ever Justify Church Discipline?

By Brad Wheeler | 9Marks Journal: The Pastor and Pornography | 10.30.2018

At what point, if ever, does a persistent pattern of pornography warrant church discipline?

8 Reasons Your Excuses for Not Practicing Church Discipline Don’t Work

By Paul Alexander | 09.24.2018

As it turns out, these eight excuses not to practice church discipline are actually reasons *to* practice church discipline.

How Does Church Discipline Change Our Relationships?

By Jonathan Leeman | 09.12.2018

Jonathan Leeman answers the difficult question, “How should we interact with someone who’s been disciplined from our church?”

Christians Help Christians Follow Christ

By Mark Dever | 06.21.2018

It’s impossible to follow Christ without helping others follow Christ.

Church Discipline Is a Rescue Operation

By Juan Sanchez | 06.06.2018

In the Bible, church discipline is always a rescue operation.

Must I Be a Church Member to Go to Heaven?

By Jonathan Leeman | 05.30.2018

Must I be a church member to go to heaven? No, not necessarily. But throughout the New Testament, it’s clear that the Christian life is the churched life.