Woman complains to Fox news about being disciplined by her church

[4His_glory]

Article here.

Be sure to read the church´s letter to her.

I would like to hear the church´s side of the story, because it seems to me that this women is unrepentant and even after being dealt with in private as the biblical order for church discipline is.

Granted perhaps the church could have handled some things better, but it appears based on their letter that they are trying to follow the biblical guidelines for church discipline.

If the woman is telling the truth about leaving the church, I wonder then why the church continued with discipline after she left voluntarily.

 

[donnA]

As long as she is a member there then they can discipline her, even if she refuses to show up.

the first in a three-step process used by the church to deal with sinners: private admonishment, admonishment in the presence of witnesses and finally public admonishment.

This would be the biblical model, what different then scripture should they do.
Shes worried about it being made public, yet shes the one whose made it public. I think I smell a set up for a law suit, for $$$.

 

[4His_glory]

As long as she is a member there then they can discipline her, even if she refuses to show up.

This would be the biblical model, what different then scripture should they do.
Shes worried about it being made public, yet shes the one whose made it public. I think I smell a set up for a law suit, for $$$.

I agree that the church followed the biblical practice of church discipline. At least by their letter it appears that they tried. I fell though that they could have done some things better if her story is true. She should have been told that her sin would be brought before other witness first. I was under the impression that she was surprised by the process, this should have been explained from the get go.

Secondly I can see removing her from membership in a church administrative meeting, but since she already left, what is the point of explaining the details of her sin. An explanation that she was openly practicing sin and refused to repent after confronted should be enough.

 

[4His_glory]

As long as she is a member there then they can discipline her, even if she refuses to show up.

This would be the biblical model, what different then scripture should they do.
Shes worried about it being made public, yet shes the one whose made it public. I think I smell a set up for a law suit, for $$$.

I agree that the church followed the biblical practice of church discipline. At least by their letter it appears that they tried. I fell though that they could have done some things better if her story is true. She should have been told that her sin would be brought before other witness first. I was under the impression that she was surprised by the process, this should have been explained from the get go.

Secondly I can see removing her from membership in a church administrative meeting, but since she already left, what is the point of explaining the details of her sin. An explanation that she was openly practicing sin and refused to repent after being confronted should be enough.

 

[4His_glory]

Lets remember as well that the purpose of church discipline is to bring about repentance and restoration not to publicly humiliate a person. That being said- the guilty party chose to sin and is responsible for his or her actions. If they did not want the humiliation they should not have sinned in the first place.

 

[donnA]

Bringing it before the church, making it public, is biblical. I agree if they didn't want to public humiliation they should not have sinned in the first place, or at least stopped when it was brougt to their attention.

 

[Magnetic Poles]

What a bit of spiritual blackmail by a bunch of busybodies. They need to mind their own business.

 

[StefanM]

If the woman is telling the truth about leaving the church, I wonder then why the church continued with discipline after she left voluntarily.

This is the major point. If the woman left, then there is nothing that the church can do. If she did not, then this method is appropriate.

 

[StefanM]

Lets remember as well that the purpose of church discipline is to bring about repentance and restoration not to publicly humiliate a person. That being said- the guilty party chose to sin and is responsible for his or her actions. If they did not want the humiliation they should not have sinned in the first place.

...or blast this whole thing all over Fox News. Someone who is truly embarrassed by this would not go to the national press. I believe this is just a case of someone flaunting her sin.

 

[mcdirector]

We've got two threads going on this. Can they be merged?

 

[Jon-Marc]

I find it interesting that she seems concerned about it being made public in the church and the impact it would have on her children, but then she makes it very public and broadcasts it through the media.

 

[4His_glory]

I find it interesting that she seems concerned about it being made public in the church and the impact it would have on her children, but then she makes it very public and broadcasts it through the media.

I thought the same thing.

 

[4His_glory]

What a bit of spiritual blackmail by a bunch of busybodies. They need to mind their own business.

No its not. There is no gossip involved. This woman is living in open rebellion to the Scriptures and this church as her spiritual authority, under which she placed herself, has the obligation and biblical mandate to discipline her in order to bring about repentance and restoration.

Obviously you don´t believe in church discipline. Well you are in company with the majority of evangelical christians today. Hence one of the reasons the contemporary church has the problems it does.

 

[Jerome]

Uh, I think the Chuch Ladies League conducting an overnight surveillance operation at the lady's house qualifies as a busybody activity.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

I'm pretty sure the New Testament rules of church discipline would cover actions by this congregation. Good for them. When you join a N/T church, they have the right to make sure you are being a good representative of them.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Sorry, I didn't see this statement.

I wonder then why the church continued with discipline after she left voluntarily.


I would think restoration would be the next step, not further discipline.

 

[annsni]

Uh, I think the Chuch Ladies League conducting an overnight surveillance operation at the lady's house qualifies as a busybody activity.

ONE woman said that she was at this lady's house. I doubt it was a surveillance operation.

 

[Revmitchell]

Sorry, I didn't see this statement.

I wonder then why the church continued with discipline after she left voluntarily.


I would think restoration would be the next step, not further discipline.

If she was still on the membership role then she needed to be dealt with.

 

[windcatcher]

I find it interesting that she seems concerned about it being made public in the church and the impact it would have on her children, but then she makes it very public and broadcasts it through the media.

Me too thinking and laughing....

lol...... 'this woman would complain about a gnat while swallowing a camel!'

It is hilarious,
well,
maybe not quite,
not to me.....
but definately strange this woman has no sense for privacy or shame and goes public on news network (is she really concerned for her children?).

Well one thing looks to be true: she's made her exposure; let the church body vote out her membership!

 

[Jerome]

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.