"Have you followed the way of Matthew 18?" That question has stopped a number of people in their tracks. Someone approaches a person in authority with concerns about the conduct of someone under their charge and often the first response is: "Did you go and talk with so-and-so? I can't do anything until you've taken the steps of Matthew 18. That's the Christian way, you know." Oh. That usually ends the conversation and the concerned person walks away feeling guilty, frustrated, and in­timidated.

How should the church deal with cases of withdrawal of membership? This article begins with looking at how the Reformed church has dealt with this throughout history. The author also looks at the character of church membership and the role of church council in relation to membership withdrawal.

How should discipline be administered to members of the church who are baptized but have yet to make profession of faith? This article considers the church-historical practice from the Reformation onward, drawing lessons for today.

This article is about church resignation while under church discipline. The author looks at the vows made, living under authority and the nature of the church.

This article discusses church discipline as a legal issue, looking at different situations in which the state may intervene in church discipline.