Discipline in the Church: Dividing and Uniting

“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” ( Matthew 18:17-20 )

Oh my! !

Earlier today, gentle reader, I finished reading an article in The Mennonite which is designed to be “A forum for the voices of Mennonite Church USA.” Someone had written an article on some of the divisions and differences of opinion that are going on in the Mennonite Church. The issues of discipline, as in who should be disciplined for what, is one of these dividing issues. When I had previously written on the issue of discipline in the church in mid January [Discipline with Compassion] I had written from the perspective of life within individual churches. But there is also conference/denominational life, and it is there that more divisions have been seen.

The Confession [change in format style influenced by aforementioned article] says in addition to what I had cited previously, “ Mutual encouragement, pastoral care, and discipline should normally lead to confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Corrective discipline in the church should be exercised in a redemptive manner. The basic pattern begins with “speaking the truth in love,” in direct conversation between the erring person and another member. “

Within individual churches this does happen, or at least we hope and pray it does. But when the issue becomes “inflamed” (and do not think gentle reader that Mennonites do not become inflamed) and spreads from being within church to a broader geographic or administrative level, “discipline” becomes a much more delicate issue. Who is to say what behavior merits “discipline” and which is just a living out of one’s faith in a different way. While the Confession forms a bedrock of faith, it does not always address issues that have arose in our modern society. I could, but will not, identify the issues – but they are no different than issues found in broader society. In fact, since we live in (but not of, remember) modern society we are as subject to the same issues found in broader society. But the issues of broader society find their way into the church, and wedge themselves between churches, and between local church management and conference/denominational administration. How then do you “discipline”?

The passage from Matthew says, “whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Which entity or level has the right to such authority? Matthew chapter 18 also says, “that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Which two or three? The “for’s” or “against’s”?

We are supposed to be united in our faith, under one confession of faith. But what do we do when that very confession is dividing us? That is the question before the Mennonite Church, both in the United States and in Canada.

And as to the “Oh my!”? That I would be presented with this topic, and this passage of scripture on the day I read that article . . . . . leaves me wondering how coincidental is “coincidence.” In my opinion letter that I wrote in response to the article I mentioned above, I extended an invitation to those who read my letter to come visit this website. I await their comments as I do yours gentle reader.

May the God who sent Jesus Christ to unite us, inform us through the Holy Spirit how to best hold us accountable to each other, and minister and encourage each other. Selah!