Here are ten things every Christian should understand about church discipline:

1. Church discipline is a biblical practice. Reading the New Testament makes it clear that the churches should practice discipline.

2. Church discipline is the responsibility of the whole church. That means among other things it should matter to you, and to me—-and we should take it seriously.

3. Church discipline should be as public as the sin that triggers its necessity. Private misconduct should be dealt with quietly and with great care and sensitivity. Public misconduct should be dealt with publicly, with maturity and openness.

4. Church discipline has implications for the church at large. What happens in one local church impacts other churches. That is why discipline is so crucial.

5. Church discipline is to be done in the power and the name of the Lord. It’s not about settling scores but should take sin seriously, be handled with maturity and grace. We need to remember its in Jesus name that church discipline takes place.

6. Church discipline is not about punishment but about protecting the purity and spiritual health of the church. The predominant description of the church in the New Testament is as “the body of Christ.” We are one. Church discipline helps protect the body.

7. Church discipline confirms a choice that the sinner has already made. It confronts the sinner with his sin that hopefully helps him own up to it and take responsibility for it.

8. Church discipline is only for those who are saints or for those who profess to be saints. In other words, its not being mad about what’s happening in Hollywood or Washington.

9. Church discipline is about obedience to God and protecting the witness of the church.

10. The goal of church discipline is repentance and restoration.

“They ran to the sound of the guns.” For our fellow citizens who wear the uniform of our country every day it was a horrible and tragic day. Many of those present had been to Iraq and Afghanistan numerous times. In a combat zone that response comes from years of training. That it happened on US soil made it all the more tragic and surprising. Yet they still “ran to the sound of the guns.” We can’t thank them enough for their faithfulness, and their courage.

Others run to the sound of the sound of the guns every single day: Police officers answering a domestic dispute, firemen running into burning buildings, doctors and nurses in an emergency room.

Is there a lesson here for the church? Yep. The words hospital and hospitality were originally used to described Christian in the early church who ministered to those who were sick, dying, hungry and hopeless. They understood that ministry is ‘messy’ but did it any way. We need to rediscovery ministry in the church today. How? By ‘running to the sounds of the guns.’ When God sends someone in need across your path help them! Don’t send them to your pastor. Get involved in their life. Is it time consuming? Yes! Is it messy! Oh yeah! Is it what Jesus would do? Without question.

Run to the sound of the guns.

“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

MGT