What Is Church Discipline?

The idea of church discipline is a nonstarter in our age. We've come to view words like discipline, responsibility, and accountability very negatively in the church context, and yet, the Bible always uses these terms positively, even if they mean temporary discomfort or pain.

Church discipline takes two different forms, both formative and corrective. In this teaching, Jesus describes what the process of corrective discipline looks like and gives a very practical procedure for the church to employ. Even in its corrective form, discipline is meant to result in gaining a brother or sister, mending of relationship and unity, and personal growth. Rather than being punitive, the aim of church discipline is always restorative, even though it may be challenging.