The Why
A Biblical Theology of Church Discipline
By Bobby Jamieson | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018God’s discipline of his people is an integral part of the Bible’s entire storyline, from Eden to the new creation.
A Testimony of Restoration
By John Jones | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018To this day, I don’t know if I was a backslidden convert or if I was a deceived non-Christian. Either way, church discipline served to expose my hypocrisy.
A Historical Survey of Church Discipline
By Jeremy Kimble | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018Throughout church history the practice of church discipline has been largely affirmed, though at certain periods, only sporadically applied.
Why Calvin Thought Church Discipline is Essential to the Health of the Church
By Matthew Tuininga | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018Why did John Calvin believe church discipline to be essential to the health of the church?
Episode 34: On Church Discipline
By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018As a part of the new 9Marks Journal—Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body—Jonathan Leeman sits down with Mark Dever to talk about church discipline.
The How
A Step-by-Step Primer for Church Discipline
By Geoff Chang | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018Church discipline would be easier if the church wasn’t made up of people. But Jesus didn’t come for buildings or institutions or events. He came to save a people for himself, sinners like you and me.
Why Church Discipline Goes Awry—And How to Avoid It
By Jonathan Leeman | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018Churches should work hard against the possibility of abusive church discipline, and we should act quickly against it.
Putting People Before Policies in Church Discipline
By Nate Pickowicz | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018In recent years, the number of churches committed to exercising biblical church discipline seems to be increasing.
Church Discipline Starts with You
By Whitney Woollard | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018A loving church will be a disciplining church—and the burden of that discipline rests primarily us “ordinary Christians” who make up the discipleship community.
Teaching Church Discipline in a Church Plant
By John Onwuchekwa | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018Sin doesn’t ruin churches. Unconfessed and unaddressed sin does.
Too Big to Discipline? How a Mega-Church Practices Matthew 18
By Mark Vroegop | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018When it comes to church discipline, there’s a familiar refrain: “The mega-church is just too big to discipline.” But does it have to be this way?
The When
Good and Bad Excuses Not to Practice Church Discipline
By Brad Wheeler | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018What are some good and bad excuses not to practice church discipline?
Should You Excommunicate Someone Who Joins an “Open & Affirming” Congregation?
By Andy Johnson | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018Should churches excommunicate someone who joins an “open and affirming” congregation?
Why Churches Should Excommunicate Longstanding Non-Attenders
By Alex Duke | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 08.14.2020I’ve never met a growing and mature Christian who doesn’t regularly attend a gospel-preaching church.
From the Archives
“Don’t Do It!!” Why You Shouldn’t Practice Church Discipline
By Mark Dever | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 02.25.2010When pastors first discover church discipline in the Bible, I often tell them: “Don’t do it . . . at least not yet.”
How Should Christians Relate to Excommunicated Family Members?
By Michael Lawrence | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 06.17.2014How should Christians relate to family members who have been excommunicated from a church?
Before You Discipline, Teach This First
By Greg Gilbert | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 02.25.2010What might not be so obvious is that a pastor needs to teach the church about more than just church discipline before they’re ready for discipline.
The Preemptive Resignation—A Get Out of Jail Free Card?
By Jonathan Leeman | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 02.25.2010Ending one’s membership in a church requires the consent of both parties. We join a church by the consent of the church, and we leave a church by the consent of the church.
Informed Consent: Biblical and Legal Protection for Church Discipline
By Ken Sande | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 02.25.2010By updating your governing documents with these kinds of provisions, you can strengthen your ability to obey God’s command to restore straying sheep.
