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Preamble
to disciplinary policy: Because the God
of Israel has said: "Be holy because I am
holy" and because we as members of a New
Covenant Messianic Community belong to one another
and are responsible for one another's well being,
Congregation Shema Yisrael shall be subject to
the following Scriptural principles of congregational
discipline:
General
Principles
1. The
purpose of discipline is always the restoration
of our members to spiritual health, unity and
blessing. It is never for the purpose of punishment
for its own sake, but always for the restoration
of the individual to our community.
2. Though
we recognize that the responsibility for admonition
and discipline belong to the Elders as our spiritual
leaders we each accept the responsibility as believers
in Messiah Yeshua to watch over, admonish and
encourage one another in love (Ephesians 4:29,
5:21).
3. The
Scriptures are the final authority in all matters
of congregational discipline. The Scriptures describe
practices which are unacceptable in a New Covenant
Messianic Community. These include but are not
limited to the following:
A. Causing
divisiveness or strife
B. Propagation
of serious doctrinal error
C. Participation
in occult practices
D. Sexual
immorality
E. Gross
and confirmed abuse of illegal substances
F. Dishonest
business practices
In general
the Elders shall follow the Scriptures found in
Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, Galatians
5:19-21, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15, Titus 3:10, 2
Peter 2:1, Jude 4 and other passages relevant
to conduct in a New Covenant Messianic Community.
4. Those
in a position of leadership in the Congregation
are subject to general congregational discipline
and to special discipline which consists of suspension
or removal from leadership.
5. At
each step in the discipline process, the member
involved will be given ample opportunity to respond
to accusations before any formal charges are brought.
6. Should
a member involved in disciplinary action resign
or withdraw from the Congregation, the Elders
reserve the right to inform the Congregation,
as well as other clergy in other congregations,
as well as other persons, as to what has occurred,
and make appropriate recommendations.
7. Those
people who attend services but are not members
will be subject to the same discipline as long
as they continue to attend the Congregation. If
they, for any reason, during the process of discipline,
stop attending the Congregation, the Elders reserve
the right to inform the Congregation, as well
as other clergy in other congregations, as well
as other persons, to what has occurred, and make
appropriate recommendations.
Procedures
of Discipline
1. Public
Offenses
A. If
the sin is a public offense, one Elder will go
to the offending party and show him his fault.
If the guilty party shows clear evidence of repentance,
the matter will be dropped.
B. If
the offender still refuses to listen and repent,
the matter will be brought to the rest of the
Elders as those representing the Congregation
in accord with Matthew 18:17. The Elders will
invite the offending party to a meeting set for
the purpose of resolving the matter. The Elders
will be careful to contain the communication of
the matter within the leadership of the Congregation,
and the members affected by the offense.
C. If,
as a result of this hearing, the offender gives
clear evidence of repentance, and acts in accord
with the recommendations of the elders regarding
a restoration process, the matter will then be
dropped. An appropriate statement of the resolution
of the matter may be made to the Congregation
if necessary.
2. Offenses
Against Individuals
A. In
all cases of offenses against individuals, it
is assumed that the offended party will have gone
to the offender first before discussing the matter
with anyone else (Matthew 18:15).
B. If
the offender refuses to hear the individual who
has come alone, then the individual will choose
an elder of the Congregation to go with him to
present the case a second time. The primary purpose
of the elder’s presence is to bring reconciliation.
If that is not possible the matter will be heard
by all the Elders.
C. The
Elders will hear the matter in the presence of
both parties along with any witnesses either party
may call.
D. After
hearing all the relevant evidence the Elders will
make their decision as to what needs to be done
by either or both parties. The ultimate goal is
reconciliation. If this is achieved the matter
will be dropped.
E. If
an individual refuses to hear the Elders on either
a public or private matter, the following procedure
will be enacted.
1. The
Congregation may be notified of the offense at
a public meeting or in writing. They may be advised
of all actions taken by the Elders and be urged
to pray for the offending party.
2. The
offending party may be notified that he is now
barred from taking the Lord’s Supper and
from active involvement in any meetings of the
Congregation.
3. If
the guilty party remains unrepentant, the person
in question may be barred from attending any other
services of the Congregation. The Congregation
may be notified exhorting them not to associate
with this person until the Elders are satisfied
that the offender has repented. The Elders may
without liability to themselves or the Congregation,
state the charges and other concerns and recommendations
as they have been made.
4. If
the person has left the Congregation at any time
during this process, the Elders reserve the right
to inform the Congregation, as well as other clergy
in other congregations, as well as other persons,
of the person's status.
5. When
anyone who has been disfellowshipped desires to
become reconciled to the Congregation, the Elders,
having been satisfied that the offender has truly
repented and is willing to follow the recommendations
that the Elders may make, will announce this development
to the Congregation. He may then be restored to
the Congregation in accordance with the following
procedures:
A. A public
confession of the offense with an adequate statement
of repentance given by the offender to the Congregation
will be given.
B. A declaration
of full forgiveness and restoration will be made
by the Elders.
C. He
will be restored to the membership. |
