Church Discipline: How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus (9Marks: Building Healthy Churches)
“Leeman airs the dirty laundry of our lives and talks about how to clean it up. He ventures into the tough area of pastoral application, which is sure to rouse good discussions, but again and again I found myself convinced. You will not fail to be helped by this book. Brief and biblical, wise and practical—this is the book on church discipline we’ve been looking for.”—Mark Dever, Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington DC; President, 9Marks“Far too few biblically grounded, pastorally sensitive books on church discipline remain in print today. I know of none that is as exegetically accurate, practically relevant, and filled with real-life case studies of how churches should deal with a wide variety of common situations. On top of all this, Leeman is helpfully succinct and remarkably clear. Highly recommended!”—Craig L. Blomberg,Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary“This book is an outstanding, one-of-a-kind theological work. Leeman has shown that church discipline is an essential dimension of the disciple-making process, and thus an extension of the preaching of the gospel itself. He shows that our overly-narrow focus on the ‘number of decisions’ might actually be hindering us from guiding people in the repentance that leads to life. I believe this will be the definitive work on church discipline, and our elders plan to use this work as our guide.”—J. D. Greear,Lead Pastor, The Summit Church, Durham, North Carolina; author,Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved“One of the most neglected activities in the church today is the ministry of loving, courageous, and redemptive church discipline. This book provides a clear vision and practical guidelines for this vital aspect of life together in the body of Christ. I have seen many people freed from entangling sin by churches that lived out these principles, and I pray that more and more churches will recommit themselves to this restorative ministry.”—Ken Sande,President, Peacemaker Ministries“Until such a time as the church of the Lord Jesus Christ becomes, by definition, a disciplined church, it will remain largely the undisciplined church. Leeman, of 9Marks, has provided another perceptive and important guide to establishing a healthy church through the exercise of unique Christian responsibilities, love, and discipline. The pastor with a desire to see a healthy church will profit immensely from this read.”—Paige Patterson, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary“Jonathan Leeman has become a discerning reader of the contemporary church. He combines biblical truth with sage counsel in this much-needed book on church discipline. If you’ve been afraid of that subject in your church, or unsure of how to lovingly correct sinning saints, this book provides the biblical argument and practical advice you need to get started well. This book will fire your imagination, stir your soul, and light your path.”—Thabiti M. Anyabwile,Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman; author,What Is a Healthy Church Member?“Many different ideas enter the minds of Christians when they hear the words ‘church discipline’—punishment, judgment, critical, unloving, excommunication. Jonathan Leeman sets the record straight by explaining what Jesus meant when he first introduced this concept of spiritual accountability. Leeman explains the purpose of church discipline and why it is necessary. The case studies illustrating situations requiring church discipline are worth the price of the book!”—J. Carl Laney, Western Seminary; author,A Guide to Church Discipline