The Purpose of Church Discipline, Part 2

Body

“For those churches that embrace the purpose, follow the pattern, and implement the practice of church discipline, they will do their bodies good.” - C.Today

Discussion

150 People Expelled From FL Church After Trying to Vote Out Leadership

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“When Welch canceled FBC’s longtime Christmas pageant, an event that drew thousands of attendees annually, local press began covering the internal drama. Church member Deanna Weilhouwer, who sold pageant tickets for 24 years, told the Sun Sentinel those sales funded about one-third of FBC’s annual budget.” - C. Leaders

Discussion

5 common themes in churches with high pastor turnover

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“1. They think it’s the pastors’ fault. It is difficult to help these churches. There is none so blind as he or she who will not see. The church I noted had not even considered that losing six pastors in nine years might point to the problems with the church.” - Thom Rainer

Discussion

Lutherans elect Megan Rohrer first transgender bishop

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“The Rev. Megan Rohrer was elected bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Sierra Pacific synod on Saturday (May 8), becoming the first transgender person to serve as bishop in the denomination or in any of the U.S.’ major Christian faiths.” - RNS

Discussion

'Historic night': Saddleback Church ordains first female pastors

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“Saddleback Church, the California-based megachurch headed by Pastor Rick Warren, announced that they ordained their first three female pastors, despite being affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, which prohibits female ordination.” - C.Post

Discussion

Becoming an Adoption Friendly Church

By Paul Golden

Do Christians realize that adoption is truly a special opportunity for believers to affirm and demonstrate the sanctity of life to an unsaved world? Sadly, and for a variety of reasons, many Christians do not seriously consider adopting. Churches can and should play a crucial role in encouraging their members to “look after orphans … in their distress” (James 1:27, NIV).

Here are some specific ideas on how to become an adoption-friendly church.

Discussion

The Solution to America’s Theological Salad Bar

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“Americans assume that people will make the right choices and believe the right things for them given the right conditions. Human nature is sufficient to guide us into personal truth. Thus, at the salad bar of beliefs, objective claims about God or morality violate the fundamental principle that life is a salad bar, and you are the rightful creator of your plate.” - LifeWay

Discussion

Why Pastors Should Use More Historical Illustrations in Sermons

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“People are not as familiar with the past. Frankly, we don’t know our history like we once did—biblical history, family history, and our nation’s history. Preaching always has elements of teaching. Good teaching should include regular doses of history.” - Sam Rainer

Discussion