Church discipline, part 2

Perhaps it would be fun to announce here that I am currently under church discipline. Really. So are you, if you're a member of a church.

Now, of course, you're probably not aware that you, or I, have committed some grave sin which compels your, or my, church to limit the privileges of your membership. However, that's not the point.

The point is simple; "discipline," or "paideia" in the Greek, is not just "chastening" or punishment. Rather, it encompasses all areas of training us to be more like Him. To use the military metaphor that Paul uses, military discipline is not just Beetle Bailey serving "kitchen patrol" while his friends enjoy some R&R. It's the scope of training that a soldier goes through, from physical training to war games to the time spent in target practice.

In the same way, church discipline, Biblically speaking, ought not be seen merely as expulsion from leadership or membership, but rather active participation in the ministries of your church. Embrace it--it's 90% of church discipline, and 100% of the fun of church discipline.