Section 1. The Purpose of Discipline

Discipline is necessary in order to maintain a pure church and a Godly testimony (l Cor. 5:6-13). Discipline may be necessary in either matters of doctrine or in matters of practice. The purpose of discipline shall be to restore an erring member, and shall be carried out in all meekness and humility and love (Gal. 6:1-2 ). If an erring member refuses to accept lesser discipline, he or she may be excluded from the fellowship of the church.

Section 2. Procedure

Normally, investigation of any matter which would seem to require discipline shall be initiated by the Board of Elders. If any person has knowledge of a matter which, in his opinion, requires discipline, it is appropriate for him to communicate that knowledge to the Board. To give such information to other persons is gossip, and shall be a matter of discipline.

When one member of the church considers himself wronged by another member, it is well that he should remember the statement of Proverbs 10:12 and 1 Peter 4:8 that "love covers a multitude of sins", and if the offense is relatively minor, that he should bear with his brother's faults in the spirit of 1 Cor. 13 , realizing that he himself has doubtlessly offended others on various occasions. However, if the wrong seems too great to be ignored, he should go to that person privately and seek reconciliation and restoration of fellowship. If the offender refuses reconciliation at this point, then he shall take "one or two others with him" (Matthew 18:15-17 ). If he still refuses to be reconciled, the matter shall be brought to the Board of Elders. They shall inquire as to whether the above steps have been exhausted. Only then shall they, in love and with much prayer, consider the issue.

Inasmuch as some sins (for example, drunkenness, shameful behavior, dishonest practices, etc.) are more general in character, they do not necessarily involve reconciliation between two church members. In such cases, the Board of Elders shall conduct an investigation.

• Any person who has first hand knowledge of the matter and is willing to testify shall submit his testimony in writing to the Board of Elders and shall sign it.
• The Board shall summon the accused to appear before them. The accused may, for adequate reason, be granted another time to appear before the Board provided he requests it.
• Failure of the party to appear before the Board, except for extenuating circumstances, at the specified time shall be construed as an admission of guilt.
• After thorough investigation, the Board shall either declare the party innocent or shall, by at least 3/4 majority, declare him guilty.
• If an erring person refuses to accept lesser discipline he may be excluded from the membership and fellowship of the church.
• The intent of the Board ought not to be just to expose the erring person but to restore him in a spirit of meekness to full fellowship and membership.

Section 3. Discipline of the Pastor

If it appears that the Pastor merits discipline, the Board of Elders shall initiate and carry out the investigation and administer any discipline which is considered appropriate. Any thing serious enough to warrant termination shall be handled according to Article VII Section 3.

Section 4. Discipline of Officers

Discipline of church officers and staff should be carried out in accordance with Article V Section 2 of this article. The membership may, however, use it's right of petition to call a special meeting (Article IV Section 2) for the evaluation of the performance of any elected or appointed official of the church. A vote of confidence may be requested and should fewer than one half (1/2) of the voting members present express support of the official, his office shall be automatically declared vacant. The vote will be taken by secret ballot. The person under consideration may not vote nor any members of his or her immediate family.