Conflict Resolution in the Church

In Matthew 18:15, Jesus says, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go, and tell him.” Unity and peace are critical to the church, as Satan’s strategy is divide and conquer. Our Lord Jesus Christ has outlined the way to maintain unity in the church in the face of sin. Loving, gentle, but clear confrontation according to Jesus’ detailed instructions, will bring blessings to all the parties involved.

  No action a church is to perform, on behalf of the Captain of Salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ, is more serious than the cutting off of a member from the church family and fellowship. The purpose of formal excommunication is to bring the erring brother to repentance. The Lord calls us to seek the excommunicated brothers or sisters as the objects of evangelism, and if they’re hostile to us, we are to love them still. Our labor of love and compassion may lead to godly sorrow and repentance, and if that happens, we are to receive the repentant sinner back into our fellowship.

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Rev. A.T. Vergunst is minister of the Gospel in the Reformed Congregation of Carterton, New Zealand.