PART 1

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT MEMBERSHIP AND DISCIPLINE

Why Are Church Membership and Church Discipline Important?

Throughout its history the church has experienced both moments of cultural ascendancy, as well as periods of ridicule, ostracization, and persecution. In the West we are currently experiencing what Russell Moore describes as "the collapse of the Bible belt," as Christians find themselves less of a moral majority, and operating more as a prophetic minority. Regardless of how culture views us, the church is called "to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3), and if this makes the institutional church less appealing and popular in our day and age, we are not surprised (1 Peter 4:12). We know that the world may not resonate with our message and may not join in fellowship with us, seeing such actions as irrelevant and unnecessary.

We expect this kind of posture from the world around us, but when ambivalence and apathy characterize those who would claim to be Christians in regards to the importance of the institutional church, this presents reason for concern and a call for action. Most Christians are not hostile to these concepts, but at times we struggle to understand the importance or relevance of such concepts to our modern-day lives. As Leeman states, although people have a vague sense that Christians should attend and be involved with a local church, "they would also say it's not the most important thing in the world, so we shouldn't make too big a deal about it. If Christians spend several years hopping from church to church, or if they decide to attend one church indefinitely without joining, that's okay too." The aim of this book is to refute such thinking and establish the critical importance of church membership and discipline in the life of the Christian.

The Importance of the Church

In terms of "theological triage" — the ordering of doctrine as it relates to its proximity to the gospel — the doctrine of the church can often be overlooked today in comparison to other doctrines. The deity of Christ, justification by faith alone, the inerrancy of Scripture, and the atoning work of Christ are just a few examples of issues that are more tightly tethered to the truths of the gospel. However, given the fact that the doctrine of the church is not the most important, that does not make it unneeded or unimportant. In fact, one should recognize that ecclesiology is connected to the doctrines of God and salvation and, as such, must be factored into our understanding of theology and redemptive history.

John Webster notes that God relates both to himself (immanent Trinity) as well as to his creation (economic Trinity). God is intrinsically perfect in his life and activity. But, continues Webster, "within that life and act there is a movement or turning ad extra, in which out of his own perfection God wills and establishes creatures." In other words, God did not remain as a Being merely relating to himself, he also created for his glory and is relationally involved with his creation. In holy love and grace God creates humanity as his image-bearers and the pinnacle of creation (Gen. 1:26-28). Due to the Fall, humanity is in need of saving grace, and the church is "the society of those elected, called, redeemed, sanctified, and glorified in Jesus Christ" In this way, the doctrine of the church is grounded in the perfections of God and the grace of the gospel.

Based on these points, Allison summarizes the necessity and importance of the church in the following way: "[Ecclesiology] is part and parcel of (1) the eternal purpose of God in redeeming his fallen human creatures; (2) the Father's mighty work in regard to the exaltation of his humiliated and crucified Son; (3) the eternal divine counsel with regard to the revelation of himself and his ways; and (4) prophetic Scripture that assigns an important role to the church in the outworking of salvation." As such, while ecclesiology may not be the doctrine that holds highest importance, it is a...