Corrective Discipline

Corrective Discipline is a form of discipleship that requires repentance, or literally, a “change of mind.” In distinction from “formative discipleship,” which may generally be understood as exercising a right mind, corrective discipline requires a change of mind and therefore is the primary way sin is addressed and dealt with. Therefore, if an individual does not exercise self-corrective discipline, then according to Matthew 18:15-20 the next step is for one person to call the individual to make the needed correction. If this doesn’t succeed, then the next step is for two persons to call for correction. If this proves ineffective, then the matter is to be brought before the Presbyters of the community. If the individual still fails to repent, then the Presbyters excommunicate the individual with the prayer and the hope that repentance will be quickly forthcoming and the individual can be received back. From a covenantal perspective, corrective discipline is the transfer of authority and blessing from covenant-breakers to covenant-keepers, not merely for punitive or retributive reasons, but for the purpose of restoring covenant-breakers back to the path of formative discipleship. The goal of corrective discipline is to empower those being corrected to become more effective agents of transformation, who in turn can then empower still others undergoing corrective discipline in the same way.

Also see Formative Discipleship, and Judgment.