Our Guidelines for Church Discipline and Accountability
These guidelines are intended to provide a clear and biblical framework for how Heritage Valley Bible Church will conduct “formal” church discipline.
By “formal” church discipline we mean an issue of sin that has not been resolved through the counsel and confrontation of an individual; or two or three witnesses; but has been brought to the attention of the church, through the Board of Elders (Matthew 18:15-17).
In handling church discipline issues, the elders will be guided by the following principles:
1. There are three primary goals that we will consider in church discipline: (1) the restoration and reconciliation of all parties involved, (2) protecting the purity of the church and guarding other Christians from being tempted, misled, divided or otherwise harmed, (3) guarding and preserving the honor of God.
2. Knowing that we tend to wander and stray from accountability and discipline we will continue to seek to restore individuals regardless of their seeking to withdraw from membership. This is in accordance with our Constitution and By-Laws, membership covenants, relational commitments and duties before God as shepherds of His flock.
3. The elders will make every reasonable effort to hear all sides of the issue and counsel appropriately (Proverbs 18:13).
4. If the elders determine that an individual is guilty of violating Biblical standards in thought, word or deed they will strive to work with the individual and counsel them towards repentance, reconciliation and restoration.
5. If the person refuses to work with the elders at any point in this process, or it becomes obvious that they will not repent of their sin(s), the elders will determine an appropriate level of discipline. This can range from private or public rebuke to disfellowship from the church.
6. In accordance with Matthew 18:17 the elders may be required to announce the discipline taken to the congregation. The purpose of this is to encourage the members of the church to pray for, encourage and exhort the offender to repent and to guard against gossip and divisiveness that could result from the offense or the discipline. This public announcement can be made during a regular worship service, at a special meeting, or by letter at the elders’ discretion.
7. If the offender leaves the church during the disciplinary process or while discipline has been pronounced against them, and the elders learn that he is attending another church, the elders may inform that church that the individual is currently under discipline. They may ask the church to encourage the offender to repent and be restored to the Lord and any people whom he has offended. Such communications enhance the possibility that a person may finally repent of his sin, and at the same time, serve to warn the other church to be on guard against the harm the offender might do to their members.
8. If at any time during or after this process the individual repents of their sin, the elders will work with them to lovingly restore them to fellowship in the church. Once the Once the elders are convinced the person has sincerely confessed their sins and sought forgiveness from God as well as the person or persons offended, and committed to any appropriate restitution or counseling, they shall announce his restoration. This announcement will be accompanied by a solemn admonition to the congregation that the restored person’s offenses have been forgiven and are not to be held against him or otherwise hinder his fellowship within the church. This does not preclude the person from being restricted from some areas of ministry and leadership based on lack of Biblical qualification or the continued need to protect others.
9. At their discretion, the elders may institute restrictions on an individual pending the resolution of the disciplinary process. This may include suspension from ministry positions and responsibilities, and attendance at church functions and meetings.
10. If an offense is likely to harm others, or lead them into sin, or cause division or disruption, the elders may accelerate these procedures to protect the church.
By “formal” church discipline we mean an issue of sin that has not been resolved through the counsel and confrontation of an individual; or two or three witnesses; but has been brought to the attention of the church, through the Board of Elders (Matthew 18:15-17).
In handling church discipline issues, the elders will be guided by the following principles:
1. There are three primary goals that we will consider in church discipline: (1) the restoration and reconciliation of all parties involved, (2) protecting the purity of the church and guarding other Christians from being tempted, misled, divided or otherwise harmed, (3) guarding and preserving the honor of God.
2. Knowing that we tend to wander and stray from accountability and discipline we will continue to seek to restore individuals regardless of their seeking to withdraw from membership. This is in accordance with our Constitution and By-Laws, membership covenants, relational commitments and duties before God as shepherds of His flock.
3. The elders will make every reasonable effort to hear all sides of the issue and counsel appropriately (Proverbs 18:13).
4. If the elders determine that an individual is guilty of violating Biblical standards in thought, word or deed they will strive to work with the individual and counsel them towards repentance, reconciliation and restoration.
5. If the person refuses to work with the elders at any point in this process, or it becomes obvious that they will not repent of their sin(s), the elders will determine an appropriate level of discipline. This can range from private or public rebuke to disfellowship from the church.
6. In accordance with Matthew 18:17 the elders may be required to announce the discipline taken to the congregation. The purpose of this is to encourage the members of the church to pray for, encourage and exhort the offender to repent and to guard against gossip and divisiveness that could result from the offense or the discipline. This public announcement can be made during a regular worship service, at a special meeting, or by letter at the elders’ discretion.
7. If the offender leaves the church during the disciplinary process or while discipline has been pronounced against them, and the elders learn that he is attending another church, the elders may inform that church that the individual is currently under discipline. They may ask the church to encourage the offender to repent and be restored to the Lord and any people whom he has offended. Such communications enhance the possibility that a person may finally repent of his sin, and at the same time, serve to warn the other church to be on guard against the harm the offender might do to their members.
8. If at any time during or after this process the individual repents of their sin, the elders will work with them to lovingly restore them to fellowship in the church. Once the Once the elders are convinced the person has sincerely confessed their sins and sought forgiveness from God as well as the person or persons offended, and committed to any appropriate restitution or counseling, they shall announce his restoration. This announcement will be accompanied by a solemn admonition to the congregation that the restored person’s offenses have been forgiven and are not to be held against him or otherwise hinder his fellowship within the church. This does not preclude the person from being restricted from some areas of ministry and leadership based on lack of Biblical qualification or the continued need to protect others.
9. At their discretion, the elders may institute restrictions on an individual pending the resolution of the disciplinary process. This may include suspension from ministry positions and responsibilities, and attendance at church functions and meetings.
10. If an offense is likely to harm others, or lead them into sin, or cause division or disruption, the elders may accelerate these procedures to protect the church.
Heritage Valley Bible Church - 461 Central Ave., Fillmore CA, 93015 - Phone: (805) 524-5494
