OK, the Church has people in it who sometimes sin and do damage to the body..
In response to being told of a certain sinful behavior he observed, this is what I wrote to my beloved brother:
Dear Brother….
I am very pleased that you feel comfortable enough with me that you are willing to share some of your thoughts.
Now, following Matthew 5 and 18, if you confront the person and if the person stops doing/saying stupid, sinful things, then the issue is over and should not be repeated. However, if the person continues to live in disobedience by acting the part of the “fool” that “says whatever is on his heart”, then the next step of discipline comes into play, specifically, one or two others should plead with the sinner to stop, and repent. Eventually if that does not work than you “take it to the church”… and in our setup, that means the Eldership gets involved and seeks to resolve any outstanding sinful behavior by prayer and gentle persuasion so the person can be reclaimed.
One thing that is definitely not the best approach is for the person who sees another person sinning, or hears a person speak sinfully,… is to come to the Pastor or Leadership with a report of a sin without first challenging that person to not do that. In the case you mentioned, the best approach would be that since the person was “spoken to” and given an alternative suggestion, (and did not ‘carry on”), then it is over and done.
So, the bottom line is that everyone who comes to our church and and is a part of the body (which you and… are) should be personally responsible to say something to anyone (including me or any other leader), if they say something stupid.
I hope the above lets you know how much I love you and want you to know that I am training all our church family to think and approach problems Biblically.
In Christ,
Pastor H
