Theo 620 – Ecclesiology Application Paper Church Discipline Kromminga, J.H. “Church Discipline as a Pastoral Exercise”. Reformed Journal 24. No. 9 (November 1, 1974) 12-15. Accessed July 18, 2013. Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary Professor Larry McDonald Karl H. Hoyer Theo 620 August 4, 2013 Psalm 25 Ministries is a para-church evangelistically motivated ministry. Everything about the ministry deals with relationship. We relate to the whole body of Christ. We relate to those outside of the body of Christ. The hope and expectation is that through ministering through service projects, evangelistic outreaches at festivals and community gatherings, and through special events, people in society will cross the barrier and come into a community of faith. In regards to Psalm 25 Ministries, there is a significant element of discipline that is seen and can impact the body of Christ as a whole if four specific guidelines are followed. Kromminga stated that ecclesiastical discipline will have several elements involved. First, it is necessary to see that the church order is a growing and developing guideline. “To adapt it to present-day needs and capacities is not only permissible, but necessary.” (12) Second, the established guidelines are a tool to be used rather than a document that must be obeyed. When using the discipline, it needs to be clearly established that the document carries no authority. “It is not an end in itself, but a means to the end of doing the Lord’s will on earth.” (12) Third, using the established guidelines as a symbol and vehicle, much like baptism and communion, they must be filled with life and meaning through their application. (12) Individuals ought to be encouraged and motivated to apply the applications and not forced. Those that are a part of Psalm 25 Ministries have agreed to obey the authority of Christ (Working out their salvation with fear and trembling). Psalm 25 Ministries uses a few guidelines as a pattern. As Kromminga stated, “That pattern, by mutual agreement carries authority.” (12). “Discipline is one of the marks of the true church”, (Kromminga, 13) but it also has a significant purpose in a para-church structure. Essentially there are four reasons why discipline is mentioned in conjunction of Psalm 25 Ministries. There are four essential aspects that are seen and implemented in the lives of those that are involved. It is a relational ministry. We work as a tight unit of friends and minister to others in the community that are encouraged to work with the collective body of Christ. Within that body of Christ several things must be a part of the lifestyle of the individual working within the structure of Psalm 25 Ministries: 1. Admonish, exhort, and encourage an individual. We choose to look at the strengths, build one another up and encourage each other, because this is the will of God. Speaking to one another using words of encouragement and positive reinforcement. Society has enough negative flaunting itself in every direction, those that are in Christ should be emulating something directly contrary to what is seen everywhere else. 2. Honor God. This is seen in the Great Commandment. Love God and from that relationship love others. From being in relationship with God, one learns how to come into true relationship with others. Without love, the body of Christ is nothing. Learn to love extravagantly. Psalm 25 Ministries emphasizes the extravagant love of the Father by being to others what no one else takes the time to do. 3. Restore sinners. Sinners are welcome to work with us and minister with us. We call it, working through our problems, and we do it by literally working via service projects and evangelistic outreaches. We are not interested in keeping people away because of their lifestyle or behavior, but rather invite them to be a part of who we are to encourage a change without demanding it of them, manipulating them, or forcing them. 4. Removing offenses by direct interaction. If there is a problem, go to that individual. It is the Matthew 18 principle. Whether the individual is in Christ or not, it is the way that Psalm 25 Ministries deals with the conflicts and issues that arise. It works, and people understand what they are getting into. The discipline works in these four areas because the discipline is relationally based and now law based. In other words, the individual is loved, and the behavior is corrected, meanwhile the individual is never rejected or cast out. This is seen in the words of Kromminga, “The central purpose of discipline is the restoration of the sinner to the right thinking and right practice, to the confidence and fellowship of the congregation of which he or she is a member, to the fellowship of the God of grace and glory. What better way to remove offense than to remove it from the offender?” (14) Paul stated it well in Galatians 6;1, “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.” (NKJV) Kromminga stated, “The concept of community which loves is not at war with the concept of a community which disciplines. The two belong together. The two can and should br brought together.” (15) This is the goal and strategy of Psalm 25 Ministries. The perspective is not to be so open-minded to an individual that we neglect the sin and the lifestyle we are ministering to. The objective is to not be so easily distracted by the sin and lifestyle that the individual is neglected the ministry that could profoundly change their life. Perhaps the greatest hindrance in the hearts and the lives of those living in the surrounding community to embracing a community of faith is that they see more doctrinal law than they see love and grace. The love of the father is relational, the body of Christ ought to be as well. As much grace as was given to each individual that same extent ought to be extended to society as a whole. Bibliography Kromminga, J.H. “Church Discipline as a Pastoral Exercise”. Reformed Journal 24. No. 9 (November 1, 1974) 12-15. Accessed July 18, 2013.
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