A church in Florida is making headlines by its application of church discipline, as in Matthew 18, to a member who is engaged in a sexual relationship without being married. The first two steps have been taken, and they sent her a letter saying the third would be enacted in early January.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
(Matthew 18:15-17)
Just one problem… she had already left the church. The goal of church discipline is restore the person who is sinning back into communion with God and the church, but if that is not possible, to evict that person from fellowship. She evicted herself. End of story. They should have prayed for her restoration and left her alone the same way they would “a Gentile and a tax collector.” I don’t necessarily think church discipline should be played out quite in this way – I’ve never seen it done from the pulpit, in any event – but to continue the process after she left is disgraceful.
I read this story and thought the church was way out of line since she had already left the church. It seems that it is almost aimed at her two children who remain at the church. I know what my opinion would be toward a church that did that to my mother after she had left. I probably would have a tainted negative view of all church after hearing my mom talked about in the pulpit when she wasn’t there. Also, it seems to me that she should be present when the “charges” are read, to give her opportunity to repent. If she didn’t then fine, kick her out. But she’s already left. What’s the point? The church is out of line here. Just high and mighty “we are pure without sin” wrong, which makes them as sinful as she.