Thoughts From One Never Alone

One of the more difficult challenges facing pastors and churches when considering church discipline and responsible church membership is the fear of the unknown. These biblical responsibilities have been neglected for so long that few understand them or have seen them in practice. Add to this the desire to keep ‘the peace’ by avoiding offence and you have a recipe for congregational paralysis. What is a pastor or church to do in such circumstances?

First, they should recognize that God’s Word clearly communicates God’s wisdom in these areas and must be faithfully obeyed no matter the cost. The congregation and its leadership must demonstrate trust in God at this point. Church discipline and Christ-honoring participation in a local church are Biblical requirements for followers of Christ Jesus. The local church is responsible to carry out Biblical discipline and when it does not, it opens the door to sin and the dishonoring of Christ’s work. This obedience certainly requires commitment to the truth, patience, humility, and discernment, as well as a deep love for Christ and His people or it will never be seen.

Second, they should consider the faithful labors of other brothers/churches. This can serve to strengthen their resolve in following Christ and reveal that they are not alone in the work of responsible membership. In addition to this, by interacting with other pastors and churches, a congregation can avoid some of the more common pitfalls that exist when first engaged in this effort.

This index should prove helpful at this point. Below is a listing of articles, blogs, and resolutions that provide a wealth of information and encouragement. This index also reveals that the lack of church discipline and faithful church membership is a concern on the part of many across the Southern Baptist Convention.

Denominational Articles & Resolutions:

“Recovering a Biblical Maintenance of Church Membership”
Missouri Baptist Convention (Resolution passed October 2006)

“Reaffirming Regenerate Church Membership”
Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (Resolution passed November 2007)

“On Regenerate Church Membership And Church Member Restoration”
Southern Baptist Convention (Resolution passed June 2008)

“Maintaining the Integrity of a Local Church in a Seeker Sensitive World: The Baptist Perspective on Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and Church Discipline.”
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, ‘Campus News‘ article regarding a conference held on campus (October 2006)

“Special Report: Born-Again Baptists?”
Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, ‘TEXAN‘ article regarding church membership (December 2006)

“Prof Promotes Regenerate Membership”
Baptist Press News article regarding John Hammett’s statements and book (Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches) regarding membership (May 2007)

“Membership Integrity Becomes Priority”
Missouri Baptist Convention, Pathway article regarding Exec. Dir. David Tolliver’s comments on bloated membership rolls (July 2007)

“Pastors Tell of Ways to Hold Flock to Higher Standard”
Missouri Baptist Convention, Pathway an interview of two pastors regarding the recovery of faithful membership (August 2007)

“Membership Issue Will Be Part of Pastors’ Conference”
Missouri Baptist Convention, Pathway article regarding one of the topics (Integrity in Membership) to be dealt with at the 2007 MBC Pastors’ Conference (August 2007)

“Scripture Compels Church Leaders to Clean Rolls”
Missouri Baptist Convention, Pathway article tackling the issue of bloated membership and the 2006 MBC resolution (August 2007)

“The Community of the Gospel: Regenerate Church Membership”
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Between the Times (faculty blog) article by Nathan Finn regarding regenerate church membership (July 2008)

Pastoral Blogs & Articles:

“What is gained by removing members from church rolls?”
Doug Richey

“Home Alone: Do We Still Need the Local Church?”
Jim Elliff

“The Surprising Offense of God’s Love: Church Membership”
Mark Dever interviews Jonathan Leeman (audio)

“Restoring Integrity to Membership: My Church’s Story”
Sam Rainer

“The Missing Mark”
R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

“How Inclusive Should the Local Church Be?”
Jim Elliff

“Cleaning Up the Rolls”
Matt Schmucker

“Separating Insiders and Outsiders”
Mike McKinley

“Restoring Those Who Fall” (this is a very helpful resource for churches)
Jim Elliff & Daryl Wingerd

“Recovering a Regenerate Church Membership”
“Recovering a Regenerate Church Membership, Part 2″
Tim White

“Denominational Integrity: A Plea from a Younger Pastor”
Joe Thorn

“Southern Baptist Theology: Whence & Whither?”
Timothy George

“The Integrity of the Local Church”
Jim Elliff

“Is Church Membership Biblical”
“Where Do We See Church Membership in the NT”
“What Should A Church Expect from its Members”
9Marks Q&A

“Southern Baptists, An Unregenerate Denomination”
Jim Elliff

“Another Faithful Church Removes Deadbeat Members”
Jim Elliff

“The Church: Baptists and Their Churches in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries”
Greg Wills

“Integrity”
Explore the Bible series

“Helpful Books Regarding Church Membership”
Doug Richey

This is not an exhaustive list but should help in getting started. I’ll update this list as I become aware of other resources.