Tell it to the church

• What does Jesus mean by “tell it to the church,” and how can a congregation obey this command without turning discipline into public shaming or gossip?
• How does involving the whole church—rather than only elders or preachers—change both the spirit and the effectiveness of church discipline?
• What’s lost when a congregation avoids discipline out of fear of conflict, division, or losing members?
• How can a church pursue discipline in a way that clearly communicates love, grief, and hope for restoration—even when repentance never comes?

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Transcript

• What does Jesus mean by “tell it to the church,” and how can a congregation obey this command without turning discipline into public shaming or gossip?
• How does involving the whole church—rather than only elders or preachers—change both the spirit and the effectiveness of church discipline?
• What’s lost when a congregation avoids discipline out of fear of conflict, division, or losing members?
• How can a church pursue discipline in a way that clearly communicates love, grief, and hope for restoration—even when repentance never comes?

How and when and why do you “tell it to the church”?

            “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.  If he hears you, you have gained your brother.  But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’  And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church.  But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17, NKJV).

We learned about it as one year was changing to a new one several years ago:  two prominent, active couples, the man in one and the woman in the second had gotten infatuated with each other and were moving toward dissolving their marriage for each other.  I knew them both well.  I’d done premarital counseling and performed the ceremonies.  The elders and I had breakfast the following morning after I’s informed and discussed the situation.  Both extended families were concerned and cooperative in trying to bring resolution.

 After several contacts and visits over two or three weeks, we saw no sign of repentance.  In this church, we met with a counselor twice a month to discuss whatever was current in our work.  On this Monday morning, one of the elders told of our concern and intent.  He related that our visits with the two hadn’t resulted in a change in attitude and said that we’d announce to the church the following Sunday that if there’s no repentance in two weeks, the elders would ask the church to withdraw fellowship.

Our counselor replied, “You can do that and probably run off several families and upset the whole congregation.”  We asked what else we could do.  Didn’t the Bible teach withdrawal of fellowship for people involved in this? 

His observation:  about a third of the congregation are already upset because they know what’s going on and wonder why you hadn’t already done something; about a third of the congregation knows about it and think it’s too soon for such drastic action; about a third of the congregation doesn’t know anything about it.

            His suggested an approach the elders followed.  

1. The following Sunday, one of the elders read a statement with no names mentioned.

“Brethren,

            “Thank you for your care and concern for others.  It is my feeling this is Biblical, and very much Christ like.

            “Two of our young families are in tremendous pain and difficulty at the present time.  This is so disappointing and I feel so tragic, especially with the potential for the Lord’s work these families have had.

            “Since late December your elders and brother Jerrie have been aware of the circumstances and have worked daily on these problems, both in personal contacts and in prayer.  The past few days have been distressing and the situation seems to be deteriorating.  We desire and seek your help.  Please pray sincerely that this hurt can be healed.  If you become aware of anything that can be done, please contact your elders with your help.

“For the Elders.”

            No names were mentioned.  But people who knew about this now knew that the elders and preacher had been involved constantly.  The ones who didn’t know now knew that there’s a serious problem in the church.

1. After a few weeks, another announcement was made:

            “On February 6 of this year, the announcement was made to you that two of our young families were suffering extreme difficulty.

            For the two involved, John Doe and Mary Buck (not real names), their condition has continued to grow increasingly worse.  It’s now the need and request also the pleading of your elders that you be more involved in helping John and Mary.

            If you can contact either John or Mary by personal visit or letter, please meet with us this evening at 6 p.m. in the all purpose room downstairs.  It’s our sincere desire to bring these two back to God, if at all possible.”

            The room was filled that night.  We didn’t tell what the couple had done.  The elders told what we’d done and of our ineffectiveness to bring them to repentance.  The elders asked everyone who knew them to contact them during the next two weeks in whatever way they thought appropriate to ask them to reconsider and return to their mates who were willing to take them back:  make a visit, talk on the phone, or write a letter.

1. Two weeks later, the elders requested that all who came to the first meeting assemble again in the fellowship room thirty minutes before evening worship.  They asked the group to report their recommendations by responding in writing.  They had prepared a letting to the elders:

It read:

“Because of my love for John and Mary , I recommend the following: 

_______________________________ 

_______________________________

Signed: _______________ “

1. Without exception, the individuals in that meeting said, “There’s nothing left to do but to withdraw fellowship.  They admit their sin and show no signs of repentance.”
2. The elders replied, “We agree with your evaluation and we’ll be announcing that during the services this evening.”  We had a sad service that evening announcing the process, ending in asking the members to withdraw from this brother and sister until they repented.  Several family members were present in that service.

Observations

1. Although these two didn’t repent, we didn’t lose a person because of this action.  The families were involved.  Close friends and other members were involved.  When I left that congregation several years later, the grandmother of one of the parties thanked me for everything I did and that the church did to try to bring her grandchild back to repentance.
2. Elders can’t withdraw from a wayward member in behalf of the congregation.  They can only request that the members withdraw.
3. If the members aren’t involved in the process, there’s the possibility that someone’ll say, “If I’d only known, I think I could’ve done something to help.”
4. If a person is asked to participate and chooses not to make any effort, they have no complaint.
5. It’s my understanding that this is to be a church effort—not just the elders and the preacher.  It’s interesting that in the books that discuss church discipline (Matthew, 1 Corinthians and 2 Thessalonians), there’s no mention of elders.  This isn’t to say that they shouldn’t be involved and lead in this good work.  It’s to observe that scripture does not teach that you have to have elders to practice church discipline in all its forms and degrees.  Paul said, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).