Our covenant is not really vague, but one does need to go to the Scriptures to grasp the implications of the wording. The By-laws that follow also dive more deeply into the precise application of the terms.
But in any case, it was asked above where or when we will apply church discipline. Without citing actual cases, I will speak to the conditions where discipline has been applied.
1. Failure to become part of an active community group (the teaching/discipleship/ministry/praying/fellowship arm of our church). This does not mean missing a week or two here and there, but rather willful disassociation with a group.
2. Failure to attend church services on a regular basis (the worship/gathering/fellowship/prayer/ordinance arm of our church). Like CG participation, this does not mean missing here and there, but it does mean willful absence.
3. Failure to live in Godly marriage. Though it is a given that Christian marriages will have problems, unwillingness to resolve those problems in light of the teachings of Scripture indicate a case for church discipline. That discipline will always start with a call to mentorship, then informal counseling, then formal counseling, and finally removal from membership if no reconciliation is forthcoming.
4. Failure to support the church with time, talent, and treasure. Each member is expected to serve the church in some form of ministry, bring their gifts and talents to bear to make the church successful, and to support the ministry and operating budget of the church. This is not an "amount" category, but an action category. Lack of action is what prompts disciplinary actions.
5. Heresy or renunciation of Christ.
In all cases, the order of discipline in Matthew 18 is followed. Discipline starts in the Community Group by group leaders in individual and group discussions (we "speak the gospel" into one another's life) then will proceed to church elders and finally the entire congregation if the case requires that level of discipline.
Discipline is not a foregone conclusion. We are not quick to discipline. Some willfull act must be observed and many, many steps taken before the word discipline is even intimated. Our preferred method is to lovingly draw sinful people into a sanctified life where the level of service and Christian walk match the biblical example. We understand that this means something different for each believer, each marriage, each CG, each service of worship, etc. God has not set aside His creativity and individuality of person for the sake of a rule of the church. It is failure to respond in a biblical manner that triggers further action.
How often does discipline come to the entire congregation? Less than 10 times a year in a congregation of 2400+. Most of the issues above are handled very early on, and with much success!
Praise God that we are growing a church of committed individuals, who in their free expression of their God-given talents and gifts are reaching out to an entire community and making the sort of difference that is noted, even among the most secular aspects of the community. As an example, our church was voted by Louisville's most liberal weekly tabloid as "the best church in Louisville" for 2010. This tabloid has an annual poll for the community at large to name the "best of Louisville" in all sort of categories, from best steak to best strip club. To be noticed by this venue as the best church is notable! (Runner up was the Unitarian Universalist and third place was the Buddhist temple.) To answer that rhetorical question often posed, "We WOULD be missed if God closed our doors."
Here is a great video of real members who have seen changed lives:
http://vimeo.com/10529836
Here is an explanation of what we do:
http://vimeo.com/10235053
