Keeping the Church Healthy: How Discipline Fosters True Holiness

Many people love going to church for the music, the fellowship, or the preaching. Ask them about essential elements of a healthy church, and you’ll probably hear about dynamic worship or warm community. What’s rarely mentioned, however, is a weird thing called church discipline—a practice that’s sometimes overlooked but is actually vital for a biblical congregation. Far from being outdated or harsh, church discipline helps preserve a church’s spiritual integrity, encourages repentance, and keeps believers anchored in God’s Word.

The Three Marks of a True Church

Little known to most people, the 1561 Belgic Confession offers three marks by which the true church is known: (1) preaching the pure gospel, (2) observing the sacraments (i.e., baptism and communion), and (3) practicing church discipline. Throughout church history, church discipline has been an integral component of God-fearing churches.

However, a recent survey of pastors revealed that 55% of churches have never formally disciplined a member. Another 21% stated that, although the church had practiced church discipline, it was three or more years ago. Clearly, church discipline has fallen on hard times and is rarely viewed as a pillar of the church.

There are a variety of reasons churches do not practice church discipline. One reason, sadly, is ignorance. In order to alleviate that, this article provides a simple template for following the church discipline process as taught in Matthew 18:15–17.

The Church Discipline Process

Step 1: Confront the Sinner in Private (Matthew 18:15)

This first step is both the most basic and the most crucial, and it should be happening in every church, every day! The private confrontation of another believer is an act of love. It demonstrates concern for the damage sin can do in a fellow believer’s life. This confrontation should take place in private to avoid gossip and unnecessary shame (cf. Prov. 10:12; 1 Pet. 4:8).

Matthew 18:15 qualifies the sin as “against you,” though early manuscripts often omit these words. Whether it’s personal or more general, Scripture is clear that believers have an unequivocal obligation to address sin in the lives of their brothers and sisters (cf. Lev. 19:17; Gal. 6:1). The ultimate goal is summed up in the phrase, “you have gained your brother”—rescue rather than revenge (cf. James 5:19–20).

Step 2: Confront the Sinner with Witnesses (Matthew 18:16)

Often, the first step of private confrontation resolves the issue. However, if an obstinate believer refuses to accept the rebuke, Jesus commands the involvement of additional witnesses. This step ensures the validity of the charge and upholds fairness. In some cases, the witnesses may not have observed the original sin but can still confirm the confrontation process as it unfolds. If the accused is innocent, the witnesses help determine that truth; if the sin continues, they stand ready to give testimony to the church.

Step 2a: Involve the Elders

While not explicitly stated in Matthew 18:15–17, the shepherding authority of elders (cf. Heb. 13:7, 17) makes their involvement a natural next step. They may enter at this point or immediately afterward to guide the process as it moves toward the broader church.

Step 3: Bring it Before the Church (Matthew 18:17a)

If the sinful behavior remains uncorrected, the next step is to inform the entire church so they can lovingly confront the individual. Again, the aim is not to punish but to see repentance and restoration. The entire church body’s involvement underscores the seriousness of sin and the hope of redemption.

Step 4: Remove the Individual from the Church (Matthew 18:17b)

If the individual persists in unrepentant sin despite multiple opportunities to turn back, the final step is removal from church fellowship. Many people struggle with this idea, but Scripture frames it as a protective measure for the congregation (1 Cor. 5:6). “A little leaven leavens the whole lump,” and allowing unrepentant sin to remain in the church can corrupt and do irreparable harm.

Matthew 18:17 goes further, instructing believers to treat the individual “as a Gentile and a tax collector.” In first-century context, that meant breaking fellowship. Superficial contact may occur, but deep Christian fellowship is off-limits until the person repents. Though drastic, this step highlights the severity of sin and the communal responsibility for holiness.

If the individual repents and desires to restore fellowship, they are to be warmly welcomed back into the church (2 Cor. 2:6–11).

Church Discipline Exceptions

Looking at the broader scriptural context, there are rare exceptions to the Matthew 18:15–17 process. When a sin is public and well known (1 Cor. 5:1–7), or if a person is divisive (Titus 3:10–11), immediate steps are taken without private confrontation. These exceptions respond to particularly dangerous or public behaviors that threaten the church’s unity and testimony.

Concluding Thoughts

In many congregations, church discipline is either neglected or considered an extreme measure. Some pastors would sooner ask someone to leave the church than confront sin. Yet one of the major purposes of church discipline is to maintain the church’s purity. It’s a process that gives the sinning individual a real chance to repent while reminding the rest of the church body about the costliness of sin and the importance of fearing God.

Although messy and, at times, painful, church discipline remains an essential command given by Christ to protect and nurture the spiritual well-being of His people. The more we lean into this biblical process, the better we understand the weight of holiness and the immeasurable grace extended to all who truly repent.

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