Topic
Church Discipline
Church discipline conjures images of witch trials and inquisitions, but, practiced with humility and the goal of restoration, it should be a regular practice of the church. As the visible body of Christ on earth, the church is to be holy as God is holy. But moving toward a more disciplined church involves many issues in a day when it's impossible to know who's who in a 5,000-member church, or when a church risks lawsuits for disciplining members.
Our Uniquely Undisciplined Moment
Formal accountability has been a core part of church life from its earliest days.
October 15, 2007
Bottom-Up Discipline
What do you do when your pastor--or your entire denomination--strays?
January 16, 2007
More on Church Discipline
David Platt Wants You to Get Serious About Following Christ
You've given up on the American Dream, and you're ready to embrace authentic faith in Jesus. The author of Radical tells you what comes next.
February 7, 2013
In Defense of Church Hoppers
Some Christians' spiritual baggage makes it harder to find a church home
January 28, 2013
Sovereign Grace Ministries: Courts Shouldn't 'Second-Guess' Pastoral Counseling of Sex Abuse Victims
Legal observers question whether clergy-penitent privilege applies to denomination accused of covering up crimes.
January 25, 2013
Nuns Facing the Ruler: A Protestant Perspective on the Vatican Conflict with the Sisters
Are American nuns free to reject church discipline and stay Catholic?
June 19, 2012
Why the NAE Issued a Clergy Code of Ethics
Uncertainty on issues like use of time, family obligations, plagiarism, and pornography sparked a call for a broad statement, says Luder Whitlock.
June 13, 2012
Mars Hill Says It Released Leaders Over Church Discipline Cases
Two "had a pattern of overstepping their authority," church says.
February 17, 2012
Should Churches Try to Minimize Disruptions?
Observers weigh in on how churches should respond to children disrupting a worship service.
August 31, 2011
Tullian Tchividjian: Allow Your Critics to Teach You
The new pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church talks about the effort to remove him from the pulpit.
September 24, 2009
We've Won the Lottery—Now What?
The meaning of evangelical scandals—including our own.
July 30, 2009
What to Do about Unbiblical Unions
African churches seek a better response to polygamy than in years past as western churches address new same-sex marriages.
June 25, 2009
How to Shrink a Church
It's not that easy, but hopefully it's the new evangelical trend.
April 23, 2009
Charismatic Character Clash
Journalist and pastor debate restoration for disgraced revivalist Todd Bentley.
March 23, 2009
Reclaiming Orthodoxy
1000 conservative evangelicals gather in Jerusalem to reclaim Anglicanism. An interview with Sydney Archbishop Peter Jensen.
June 20, 2008
Southern Baptists Elect President, Dismiss Abuse Database
Johnny Hunt says he'll be challenging spirit of lethargy.
June 11, 2008
Willow Creek's 'Huge Shift'
Influential megachurch moves away from seeker-sensitive services.
May 15, 2008
Methodists Vote To Retain Policies on Homosexuality
But some international delegates oppose denomination's anti-homophobia push.
May 1, 2008
United Methodists to Debate Transgender Clergy
Church court in October backed pastor who underwent sex change.
April 22, 2008
Methodist Restructuring May Empower Non-U.S. Churches — Or Silence Them
With 3 of 10 delegates from abroad, general conference will consider creating an Americans-only body.
April 22, 2008
Seven Years in the Making, Draft ELCA Statement on Sexuality Punts
"This church does not have consensus," committee says.
March 14, 2008
What Reveal Reveals
Criticisms of Willow's latest self-study do not undermine its value.
February 27, 2008
Filling in the Blanks
A revised tax form should make nonprofit organizations more transparent.
October 18, 2007
Our Uniquely Undisciplined Moment
Formal accountability has been a core part of church life from its earliest days.
October 15, 2007
Healing the Body of Christ
Church discipline is as much about God as it is about erring believers.
October 15, 2007
Moving to 'Acceptance'
Mainline Lutheran assembly urges bishops not to discipline gay ministers.
September 12, 2007
Pastors Off the Hook in Sex Cases
Earl Paulk case dropped, Lonnie Latham not guilty, Md. pastor gets mistrial. Plus: Calling Akinola out on Nigeria's anti-gay law, W&M's cross returns, Jars of Clay's un-Dixie Chicks moment, and other stories from online sources around the world.
March 9, 2007
Bottom-Up Discipline
What do you do when your pastor--or your entire denomination--strays?
January 16, 2007
What to Do with a Former Communist Informant
Should collaboration with persecutors be a bar to ministry? Poland's Catholics aren't the first to wonder.
January 12, 2007
Poland Bishop Crisis Likely to Worsen
Plus: The clergy abuse scandal at five years, the latest on Judas Iscariot, ex-gay sheep, and other stories from online sources around the world.
January 9, 2007
Weblog Friday Update: New Catholic Archbishop of Warsaw Said to Be Communist Collaborator
Plus: Religion in the new Congress, and other stories from online sources around the world.
January 5, 2007
Reviewing the Fundamentals 
Ted Haggard's fall raises crucial questions about holiness.
December 27, 2006
Sam Hinn: Benny Hinn's brother steps aside as Sanford pastor - OrlandoSentinel.com
In a letter to the congregation, Sam Hinn, 51, said he was temporarily stepping aside to devote time to his marriage, after ending a relationship, a church member said. The letter did not specify what kind of relationship Sam Hinn was involved in or with whom. (Sentinel)
Fate of Baptist pastor accused of abuse is in the hands of his flock
Since Rev. Travis Smith’s arrest in October on sexual abuse and statutory rape charges, which follow similar allegations from 2010, forgiveness from his congregation has become critical to his survival as its pastor. It is this group of about 100 souls — not a bishop, nor a disciplinary committee nor national church leaders at a faraway headquarters — who will decide Smith’s future in the Southern Baptist Convention. (Post-Dispatch)
Former church members sue Saginaw pastor after lawsuit seeking more than $100,000 in tithes fails
The former members — among whom are a former Saginaw mayor and two Saginaw County commissioners — claim pastor Rodrick A. Smith violated their constitutional rights when revoking their memberships in late 2011 and early 2012. (MLive.com)
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