Church Discipline Policy

The Church Discipline Policy of Evangelical Faith Church provides a framework for addressing cases of misconduct or sinful behaviour among Church members in a manner that is consistent with Biblical teachings. The goal of discipline is to restore the erring member to a right relationship with God and the Church community, while also upholding the integrity of the Church.

2. Biblical Foundation

Church discipline is based on Scripture and aims to reflect the principles of love, correction, and restoration. The following Biblical passages form the basis for this policy:

• Matthew 18:15-17: Outlines the process for addressing sin in the Church, beginning with private correction and potentially escalating to public involvement if repentance does not occur.
• Galatians 6:1: Instructs believers to restore those caught in sin “in a spirit of gentleness.”
• Hebrews 12:11: Teaches that discipline, though painful, is intended to produce a harvest of righteousness.
• 1 Corinthians 5:1-13: Addresses how to handle public sin within the Church, especially in cases of unrepentant immorality.

3. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all members of Evangelical Faith Church, including Church leaders, pastors, ministry team members, and congregants. It covers a range of behaviours that conflict with Biblical principles, including but not limited to:

• Unrepentant sin (e.g., immorality, dishonesty, substance abuse).
• Division or disruption of Church unity.
• False teaching or spreading doctrinal errors.
• Abuse of power or authority within ministry roles.
• Refusal to submit to Church leadership or guidelines.

4. Objectives of Church Discipline

4.1. Restoration: The primary objective of discipline is to restore the erring member to a right relationship with God and with the Church (Galatians 6:1).

4.2. Protection of the Church: Discipline serves to protect the Church from sin’s corrupting influence, preserving its witness and purity (1 Corinthians 5:6-7).

4.3. Justice and Repentance: It provides a framework for correcting wrong behaviour, calling the member to repentance, and promoting a just and orderly Church environment (Hebrews 12:11).

4.4. Love: Discipline is an expression of love, following the example of God who disciplines His children out of love and concern for their well-being (Hebrews 12:6).

5. Types of Discipline

5.1. Informal Correction

• In manycases, erring members may be corrected informally by fellow believers through one-on-one conversations, offering gentle encouragement, and guiding them back to the right path (Matthew 18:15).

5.2. Formal Church Discipline

• When informal efforts to correct behaviour fail, formal discipline may be applied through a structured process led by Church leadership. This process involves multiple stages, allowing for repentance and reconciliation at each point.

6. Discipline Process

6.1. Step 1: Private Confrontation

• When a member is found to be in sin, the first step is for one or more witnesses to approach the individual privately and lovingly point out the issue (Matthew 18:15). This must be done with the intention of restoration, not judgment.

6.2. Step 2: Involving Two or Three Witnesses

• If the erring member does not listen or refuses to repent, one or two additional Church members should be involved in a further attempt to resolve the issue. The presence of multiple witnesses helps confirm the matter and promotes accountability (Matthew 18:16).

6.3. Step 3: Bringing the Matter to Church Leadership

• If the member remains unrepentant after private confrontation and witness involvement, the matter is escalated to Church leadership (e.g., pastors or elders). A formal meeting will be held to discuss the issue and give the individual a final opportunity to repent (Matthew 18:17).

6.4. Step 4: Church-Wide Involvement (As a Last Resort)

• In extreme cases where the individual remains unrepentant despite the efforts of the leadership, the issue may be brought before the entire Church. The purpose of this public announcement is to encourage repentance and offer an opportunity for the Church body to pray for and support the restoration of the erring member (Matthew 18:17).

6.5. Step 5: Suspension or Excommunication

• If the individual remains defiant or unrepentant after all attempts at correction, the Church may take the difficult step of suspending or excommunicating the person from Church membership and participation in certain activities (1 Corinthians 5:13). This step is taken to protect the integrity of the Church and to communicate the seriousness of unrepentant sin.
• Excommunication is not intended as permanent exclusion but as a final call to repentance. The Church remains open to reconciliation if the individual repents.

7. Types of Corrective Measures

Depending on the severity of the misconduct and the individual’s response, the following corrective measures may be implemented:

• Private Correction: Gentle private correction between the individual and a concerned Church member.
• Counselling and Support: Offering counselling, spiritual guidance, and accountability support to help the individual address their struggles.
• Temporary Suspension: The individual may be suspended from specific Church roles or ministries while they undergo counselling or spiritual restoration.
• Public Rebuke: In cases of serious, public sin, the individual may be publicly rebuked before the congregation to protect the Church and encourage repentance.
• Excommunication: The removal of the individual from Church membership and participation in Holy Communion and other key Church activities until they show genuine repentance.

8. Restoration Process

8.1. Repentance and Reconciliation

• If the individual repents at any point during the discipline process, the Church will work towards restoring them to full fellowship. This may involve counselling, mentoring, and accountability structures to support their spiritual growth and healing (2 Corinthians 2:5-8).

8.2. Public Reinstatement

• If the individual was publicly disciplined (e.g., through suspension or excommunication), their repentance and restoration should also be made known to the Church. Public forgiveness and acceptance help reaffirm the individual’s inclusion in the community and promote healing.

9. Discipline of Church Leaders

9.1. Higher Accountability

• Church leaders (e.g., pastors, elders, ministry heads) are held to a higher standard of accountability (James 3:1). Any allegations of misconduct against a leader will be handled with the utmost care, following the principles of 1 Timothy 5:19-20.
• No accusation against a Church leader will be entertained without the testimony of two or three witnesses.

9.2. Public Rebuke for Leaders

• In cases where a leader is found guilty of serious misconduct, they may be publicly rebuked to maintain transparency and prevent disillusionment among the congregation.

10. Appeals and Review Process

• An individual who feels they were unfairly disciplined may appeal the decision to the Church’s Board of Elders or another designated leadership team. The appeal must be made in writing and should outline the reasons for disagreement.
• The Board will review the appeal prayerfully and impartially, ensuring that due process was followed and that Biblical principles were upheld.

11. Confidentiality and Sensitivity

• All matters related to Church discipline must be handled with the highest level of confidentiality and sensitivity. Leaders involved in the disciplinary process must ensure that information is shared only with those directly involved in the matter.
• Gossip, slander, or spreading false accusations is strictly prohibited and will be subject to Church discipline itself.

12. Amendment of the Policy

This policy may be amended as necessary by the Urgent Mission Council (UMC), in consultation with the senior pastor and leadership team, to remain effective and relevant to the Church’s needs.

13. Effective Date

This policy is effective as of January 1, 2025 and will be enforced by the leadership of Evangelical Faith Church in all matters concerning discipline.