ExCommunication

[Bob Carabbio]

How do you view excommunication in christian churches today? My church still does it.

If a member sins (fights or commits immoral sins) she/he is publicly rebuked and suspended from all she/he does for the church. He/she is handed over to the devil for torments.


He or she is made to sit behind every other member throughout the period of his/her excommunication. He or she is last to give an offering. Once he or she does...no other person is allowed to give an offering. You don't talk to him/her, You don't visit her/him - only the pastors do. And if you mistaken visit or talk to him/her...you could be punished or the devil might attack you as well (since he/she has been handed over to the devil)


He or she is given time to turn back to God. And when the church notices true changes in him/her then the church will publicly pray for him or her and restore him/her to her normal church work.

That's not "ExCommunication" in the Catholic sense, of course - more what we'd call a "Shunning", or a "Disciplinary" practice.

In our Constitution and by-laws, (DeSoto Assembly of God) is a similar process outlining the procedures to be followed in for dealing with "Errant Members".

Naturally, in the VAST majority of cases, when somebody falls afoul of the by-laws, then they simply "Disappear" - and find another church to attend which is easy in the Dallas Metroplex.

Members are required to AFFIRM the By-laws as a condition of membership (Which contain a section requiring the acceptance of "Binding arbitration"), since In U.S. Society, litigiousness is rampant, and the last thing the Church would want is the expen$e of a Civil lawsuit.

Rebuking one PUBLICALLY in an open is a very dangerous practice legally in the U.S. today, so we do it in private - with witnesses as covered in the by-laws.

 

[Classik]

That's not "ExCommunication" in the Catholic sense, of course - more what we'd call a "Shunning", or a "Disciplinary" practice.

In our Constitution and by-laws, (DeSoto Assembly of God) is a similar process outlining the procedures to be followed in for dealing with "Errant Members".

Naturally, in the VAST majority of cases, when somebody falls afoul of the by-laws, then they simply "Disappear" - and find another church to attend which is easy in the Dallas Metroplex.

Members are required to AFFIRM the By-laws as a condition of membership (Which contain a section requiring the acceptance of "Binding arbitration"), since In U.S. Society, litigiousness is rampant, and the last thing the Church would want is the expen$e of a Civil lawsuit.

Rebuking one PUBLICALLY in an open is a very dangerous practice legally in the U.S. today, so we do it in private - with witnesses as covered in the by-laws.

Thanks for your reply.
How do you view these:

2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
1Co 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as isnot so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
1Co 5:5 T o deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1Co 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
There are times when we need to do some house cleaning. There is a right way to do so..
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.