The Thirteenth Discipline: Formative and Reformative Discipline in Congregational Life

Perhaps the most critical issue for healthy growing churches is member care or life together in keeping with the biblical emphasis on allalon--one another. Member care demands that believers be passionately concerned for one anothers spiritual welfare and physical and social well-being. This mutual care may be expressed in different ways but they are always to be directed to the needs of the members of the body of Christ. That is the approach taken by the author of this book which focuses on what may be construed as a negative subject--discipline. The hope is that a careful reading will reveal that Christian discipline seen holistically may be a most rewarding ministry one that brings many benefits to healthy growing churches as it nurtures loving relationships among people who care enough to speak the truth with love as Jesus did. Dr. Moriah is passionate about Christs church-her faithfulness health and witness. In this exploration of Christian discipline in the twenty-first century church he has provided a biblically based practical guide for living together faithfully in a culture that leans toward unbridled individual freedom. Each chapter with discussion guidelines makes an excellent study for small groups or judicatory boards-helping the Church to live both courageously and as safely as possible in todays litigious culture. -Carol Anne Janzen Assistant Professor of Practical Theology Dean of Students Acadia Divinity College Church discipline is something many Christians say is necessary but very few churches practice. The Thirteenth Discipline places church discipline in the context of healthy church life in what is perceived as a negative part of church life and argues that it is important for church health. The author has allowed me to use part of the material from this work in class and students have found it challenging and it has opened new ideas for future ministry for prospective pastors. -Robert S. Wilson Professor of Church History Acadia Divinity College CONTRIBUTORS: William J. Abraham Kimberly Ervin Alexander Christopher T. Bounds Barry L. Callen Nathan Crawford Jonathan Dodrill D. William Faupel Joel B. Green Stanley Hauerwas Kevin Kinghorn Bradford McCall Graham McFarlane J. Steven OMalley Michael Pasquarello III Aaron Perry Michael L. Peterson Tony Richie Don Thorsen Laurence W. Wood Lionel M. Moriah is Associate Professor of the John Gladstone Chair of Preaching and Worship at Acadia Divinity College Acadia University Wolfville Nova Scotia.