Is It Loving to Practice Church Discipline?

By Jonathan Leeman

Many new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Church Questions is a series by 9Marks that seeks to provide Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.
In this concise booklet, Jonathan Leeman presents succinct biblical answers to various questions posited about the nature and application of church discipline, conveying that Scripture presents church discipline as both loving and necessary for yielding life, health, holiness, and growth in the local church body.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crossway Books
• Release date: Sep 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781433570285

Jonathan Leeman

Jonathan Leeman is the editorial director at 9Marks, a ministry that helps church leaders build healthy churches. He teaches theology at several seminaries and has written a number of books on the church. He is also a research fellow with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He has degrees in political science and English, a master of science in political theory, a master of divinity, and a doctorate in political theology. Jonathan served for years as an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC, but has since left to plant a nearby church. He lives in the DC area with his wife and four daughters.

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Endorsements for the Church Questions Series

Christians are pressed by very real questions. How does Scripture structure a church, order worship, organize ministry, and define biblical leadership? Those are just examples of the questions that are answered clearly, carefully, and winsomely in this new series from 9Marks. I am so thankful for this ministry and for its incredibly healthy and hopeful influence in so many faithful churches. I eagerly commend this series.

R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Sincere questions deserve thoughtful answers. If you’re not sure where to start in answering these questions, let this series serve as a diving board into the pool. These minibooks are winsomely to-the-point and great to read together with one friend or one hundred friends.

Gloria Furman, author, Missional Motherhood and The Pastor’s Wife

As a pastor, I get asked lots of questions. I’m approached by unbelievers seeking to understand the gospel, new believers unsure about next steps, and maturing believers wanting help answering questions from their Christian family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers. It’s in these moments that I wish I had a book to give them that was brief, answered their questions, and pointed them in the right direction for further study. Church Questions is a series that provides just that. Each booklet tackles one question in a biblical, brief, and practical manner. The series may be called Church Questions, but it could be called ‘Church Answers.’ I intend to pick these up by the dozens and give them away regularly. You should too.

Juan R. Sanchez, Senior Pastor, High Pointe Baptist Church, Austin, Texas

Is It Loving to Practice Church Discipline?

Church Questions

Am I Called to Ministry?, Brad Wheeler

Does God Love Everyone?, Matt McCullough

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