Church Discipline of the Partnership of Southern Gables Church

We, the Partners in Ministry (members) of Southern Gables Church, believe we are called to join with each other for the purposes of helping one another grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ and be effective in building the Kingdom of God. Our love for one another and our holiness of life are our greatest testimonies to the world around us of God's transforming love.

We believe God has called us to encourage each other and hold each other accountable for our growth in Christ-likeness. That encouragement and accountability are to be administered with mercy and grace, recognizing that God's work in each life is unique.

We further believe God has given his church (meaning the local church acting in concert, not just individuals in the church) the responsibility for discipline when a Partner disobeys God's Word. Discipline is always for the purpose of restoring a Christian to Christ-like living and never for the purpose of revenge or punishment. While Christians often differ on lifestyle issues, only such conduct as is expressly commanded or forbidden in Scriptures should be the grounds for discipline.

Using Matthew 18 as our guideline, we believe it is the responsibility of a Christian to lovingly confront a Christian friend when that friend is harming himself/herself and the church by his/her disobedient conduct.

If that confrontation does not result in a change or behavior, the Christian is responsible to take one or two other mature believers and once again confront the Christian - pleading with him/her to stop his/her sinful behavior.

If that confrontation does not result in a change of behavior, the Elders of the Church should be informed. The Elders may then ask the Church (in a duly called business meeting) to join the Elders in calling upon the sinning Christian to change his/her behavior.

If the Christian ignores all prior counsel, including the plea by the Church, the Elders shall ask the Church to remove the person from the Partnership of the Church. If the Church agrees, such a person will be contacted and encouraged to continue attending the church for teaching in the Word but informed that they will no longer be treated as a fellow-believer. They are to be loved as an unbeliever whom we are seeking to bring to faith and repentance.

Upon confession of their sin and repentance (a demonstrated commitment to obedience) a person removed from the Partnership of the Church may be restored to Partnership through the normal means of applying for Partnership.

Please remember God's discipline of us (even His discipline of us through His church) is because of His love. Discipline is always for the purpose of restoring a Christian to Christ-like living and never for the purpose of revenge or punishment. Even what is commonly called "excommunication" is for the primary purpose of encouraging repentance.