[Reddy]

Great post, but I have to add that I think that this side of Heaven there is very little possibility that even Church discipline will reach the level to what God has called it... in other words, the Body of Christ is fallible. We all have a sinful fallen nature and thank God- literally, that He provided a way through His Son, Jesus for us to become Sons of God. Through the Holy Spirit we can do His will and become more like Him- BUT in the meantime we have this flesh that we must deal with daily. All that to say that although the Church can follow God’s Word as far as discipline it doesn’t always turn out as planned. I was in a Church where a couple got divorced and the husband was allowed to remain on the worship team, even though he treated his wife horribly. I have every confidence that the Pastor and Elders were Godly men trying to do God’s will, but this happened anyway. The Pastors and Elders were NOT God, therefore they were fallible.

So although we have the Bible to guide us, we are all going to go off the path at one time or another. That’s been happening since Adam and Eve. And will continue to happen until Jesus returns.

[PieterCasparzen]

there is very little possibility that even Church discipline will reach the level to what God has called it

Church discipline is not about pursuing infallibility - the two have nothing to do with each other.

Of course, all fall short of the glory of God. If Church discipline is being confused with infallibility we should be studying a lot more doctrine to gain knowledge of the various doctrines of Scripture.

Church discipline is only called for in cases of grave, open sin from which there has been no repentence; it's not for personality differences, disputes, etc.

I was in a Church where a couple got divorced and the husband was allowed to remain on the worship team, even though he treated his wife horribly.

I don't want to know the details, but "treated horribly" is vague. Divorce is Biblically sanctioned only in a few cases. Of course, congregation members should seek pastoral guidance with the actual problems they are experiencing prior to getting a divorce. Many congregations today are more like clubs than the Church. Pastoral guidance is what should handle 99% of the difficulties congregation members have and both pastors and members should very much keep in close touch and avail themselves of the benefits of such guidance.

Proper Church discipline is not simply taking sides in a divorce. Notwithstanding the particulars of that case, today people have completely distorted views of Christian household roles and responsibilities and discontent is the chief reason for divorce, which is not Biblical, of course. In cases of marital discontent, the real source of the problem must be identified, since Biblically a wife must submit to her husband's authority, and he must cherish his wife. If one or the other or both is walking contrary to Scripture while married - that's the sin that requires pastoral correction and as a last resort, Church discipline. There are many things that some wives today consider harsh which are not: constraining spending, skipping a vacation, refraining from gossip, refraining from provoking or controlling a husband, etc. There are many things that some husbands today consider harsh that are not: honoring the Lord's day, acting mature, leading daily family prayer, wisely choosing friends, etc. That's why a Biblically-based courtship and marriage are such a blessing and should be encouraged as much as possible.

How Church discipline is handled by a congregation really depends on whether it's members mostly have seriously studied the Bible and live it in their daily lives or they mostly look to simply feel good by going to Church and that somehow they are "doing the right thing", but come Monday morning one could not distinguish them from non-Christians in the way they live their lives. There always is a chance that the Elders are in error, but properly performed, the Church discipline process involves a detailed and documented process that quite specifically gets to the heart of the matter with the person or persons accused. And if at the end the result is excommunication, the person is actually committed to the care of the Lord; if they are truly saved, they will most assuredly find a congregation (some allow return) after seeing the error of their ways and truly repenting.

Blessings.