The Rod and the Staff

Is church discipline optional—or is it an essential part of what makes a church a church?
In this episode of The Rod and the Staff, Pastor Tony Myers explains why the historic church has described discipline as one of the marks of a true church, alongside the faithful preaching of the Word and the right administration of the sacraments.
But church discipline isn’t limited to formal proceedings or excommunication. Most of it happens in the ordinary life of the church—believers loving one another enough to overlook some offenses, humbly address others, and help one another pursue repentance, restoration, and holiness.
Tony also looks at the promises Jesus gives in Matthew 18:18–20. When believers faithfully engage in the difficult work of biblical discipline, God gives His church authority, hears and answers prayer, and promises His presence.
And that familiar scripture—“where two or three are gathered in my name”—takes on a deeper meaning when understood in its original context.
Church discipline can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and even painful. But God does not ask His people to do that work alone.
Learn more at https://rodstaff.org
 
 
Podcast keywords
church discipline, biblical church discipline, true church, marks of the church, Matthew 18, Matthew 18:18-20, church accountability, church leadership, repentance, restoration, holiness, Christian community, two or three gathered, Belgic Confession, Pastor Tony Myers, The Rod and the Staff
 

When should someone be removed from the fellowship of a church?
In this episode of The Rod and the Staff, Pastor Tony Myers explains the final and most serious step of church discipline: excommunication. He begins with an important distinction—this is not a casual act of “kicking someone out.” It comes only after repeated, loving appeals have been rejected and a person persistently refuses to repent.
Tony explains what Jesus means in Matthew 18:17 when He says to treat someone “as a Gentile or a tax collector.” The goal is not hatred, humiliation, or personal rejection. Instead, the relationship changes: the church no longer treats the person as though nothing is wrong, while continuing to call them toward the gospel and repentance.
Even excommunication remains aimed at restoration. Tony points to the New Testament example of a man who was removed from the church, later repented, and was welcomed back with renewed love.
This final step is serious, rare, corporate, loving, clear—and ultimately hope-filled.
Learn more at https://rodstaff.org
 
 
 
Podcast keywords
church discipline, excommunication, Matthew 18, Matthew 18:17, biblical church discipline, repentance, restoration, church membership, church leadership, Christian accountability, reconciliation, holiness, visible church, church discipline process, Pastor Tony Myers, The Rod and the Staff

When should church leaders become involved in church discipline?
In this episode of The Rod and the Staff, Pastor Tony Myers moves to the third step of the process described in Matthew 18: the point at which an unresolved, serious offense moves from informal conversations to formal involvement by church leaders.
Tony explains what Jesus means by “tell it to the church”—and why this is not a call for public shaming. Instead, the matter is brought before the appointed leaders of the church, who listen carefully, establish the facts, and seek a wise and biblical resolution.
Even when the process becomes formal, the purpose remains relational and redemptive. Church discipline is not punishment for its own sake; its goal is repentance, reconciliation, and restoration.
Tony also discusses why leaders should handle these cases together, proceed carefully, keep good records, seek wise counsel, and avoid moving either too quickly or too slowly.
Learn more at https://rodstaff.org
 
 
 
 
Podcast keywords
church discipline, Matthew 18, Matthew 18:17, church leaders, elders, formal church discipline, Christian conflict, biblical reconciliation, repentance, church discipline process, church membership, Christian accountability, restoration, reconciliation, Pastor Tony Myers, The Rod and the Staff

What happens when you go privately to someone about a serious offense—and they simply won’t listen?
In this episode of The Rod and the Staff, Pastor Tony Myers continues through the biblical process of church discipline in Matthew 18. When individual admonition has been attempted patiently and repeatedly without resolution, Jesus instructs us to bring one or two others into the conversation.
But these witnesses are not allies recruited to take your side. They should be wise, impartial believers who love both people, are committed to the truth, and are submitted to Scripture above personal loyalties. Their purpose is to help establish the facts, encourage healthy listening, bring clarity, and work toward repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
This step is relational rather than punitive—and it shouldn't be rushed. The goal is not to determine a winner, but to help brothers and sisters hear the truth and pursue restoration.
For more biblical resources and teaching from Pastor Tony Myers, visit https://rodstaff.org.
 
 
 
keywords: church discipline, Matthew 18, Matthew 18:16, Christian conflict, biblical reconciliation, confronting sin, admonition, Christian accountability, conflict resolution, forgiveness, repentance, church relationships, biblical counseling, Christian relationships, Pastor Tony Myers, The Rod and the Staff

Do Christians need to confront every sin they see in one another? Scripture’s answer is no. Many offenses are simply covered by love and forgiven. But how do we know when an offense should be overlooked and when love requires us to address it?
In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers offers practical biblical guidance for making that decision. He considers the nature of the sin, whether it is an isolated incident or a repeated pattern, its impact on the person and others, the response of our own heart, and whether repentance is present.
Sometimes overlooking an offense is an expression of genuine Christian love. At other times, what looks like forgiveness may actually be an attempt to avoid a difficult conversation. Likewise, confronting someone can be motivated either by a desire for restoration or by our own desire to be right and vindicated.
Pastor Tony concludes with two diagnostic questions that help reveal our motives: If I cover this, am I truly loving them or avoiding a hard conversation? And if I confront this, am I seeking their restoration and God’s honor—or simply trying to be right?
Learning when to overlook and when to lovingly confront is an important part of caring for one another as Christ cares for His church.
For more biblical resources and teaching from Pastor Tony Myers, visit RodStaff.org.
 
 
Keywords: church discipline, overlook an offense, confronting sin, Christian forgiveness, love covers sin, Christian conflict, Matthew 18, 1 Peter 4:8, reconciliation, church accountability, Christian relationships, biblical teaching

How do we actually practice church discipline?
In Matthew 18:15–17, Jesus gives His church a clear process, and it begins not with church leaders but with individual Christians. In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers examines the first step of biblical church discipline: going privately to a brother or sister who has sinned.
Pastor Tony explains why Christians should go directly to the person rather than gossiping, complaining, withdrawing, or allowing bitterness to grow. He also explores how to approach the conversation with humility—presenting what you have seen or heard without assuming you know the whole story, listening carefully, and being willing to discover that you may be wrong.
The purpose is not to prosecute or condemn. It is to pursue repentance, reconciliation, and restoration—to “gain your brother.”
Pastor Tony also addresses situations in which going alone may not be appropriate, including abuse, threats of harm, criminal activity, significant authority imbalances, and public scandalous sin.
Most church discipline should never need to progress beyond this first private conversation. But taking that first step requires courage, humility, and selfless love.
For more biblical resources and teaching from Pastor Tony Myers, visit RodStaff.org.
 
 
Keywords: church discipline, biblical church discipline, Matthew 18, Matthew 18:15, Christian confrontation, reconciliation, restoration, church accountability, conflict resolution, local church, Christian relationships, biblical teaching

Church discipline is often discussed in terms of how it should be practiced, but Scripture first answers a more important question: Why? In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers explains the four biblical goals of church discipline and why each one must remain central whenever the church lovingly corrects one of its members.
Drawing from Scripture, Pastor Tony shows that church discipline exists to glorify God, reclaim straying believers, protect the purity of the church, and bear faithful witness to the world. Rather than an act of punishment, biblical discipline is a ministry of restoration that reflects God's holiness, mercy, justice, and love.
This episode reminds us that church discipline is not an embarrassment to the Gospel but one of its clearest demonstrations. When practiced with truth and grace, it points people to the transforming power of Jesus Christ and the hope found in repentance and restoration.
For more biblical resources and teaching from Pastor Tony Myers, visit https://rodstaff.org.
 
 
keywords: church discipline, church accountability, restoration, holiness, glorify God, church purity, Christian discipleship, local church, gospel transformation, biblical teaching, church leadership

Church membership is far more than adding your name to a list. According to Scripture, membership in a local church is visible, covenantal, and communal. It identifies who belongs to a particular congregation, who is responsible for shepherding, and who is committed to living under the care and accountability of the church.
In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers explores the biblical foundations of church membership and explains why membership is not a contract based on personal benefit, but a covenant based on shared commitments and mutual spiritual care. Christians are called not merely to attend church, but to become part of a body that loves, serves, encourages, and bears burdens together.
This teaching challenges us to consider whether we approach the church as consumers or as committed participants in the life of God's people. True church membership means giving your life to others for their good and for the glory of God.
For more biblical resources and teaching from Pastor Tony Myers, visit RodStaff.org.
 
 
 
church membership, local church, covenant membership, church discipline, Christian community, body of Christ, discipleship, accountability, one another, biblical teaching, church leadership

Before we can understand church discipline, we must understand what the local church actually is. Many people view the church as a voluntary organization, a place to receive spiritual services, or simply a gathering they can join and leave at will. Others focus exclusively on a personal relationship with Christ while neglecting the importance of belonging to a local congregation.
In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers explores Scripture's vision for the local church and explains the historic distinction between the visible church and the invisible church. While every believer belongs to Christ, God's design is that Christians would publicly identify with and commit themselves to a local body of believers where they worship, serve, grow, and live under loving accountability.
This teaching demonstrates why a proper understanding of the church is essential for understanding church membership and why biblical church discipline is not an act of control, but an expression of grace, care, and spiritual responsibility.
For more biblical resources and teaching from Pastor Tony Myers, visit RodStaff.org.
 
 
 
local church, church membership, visible church, invisible church, church discipline, Christian community, accountability, discipleship, congregation, biblical teaching, church leadership

Before we can understand church discipline, we must understand what it means to be a Christian. Our view of Christian identity shapes how we think about obedience, accountability, spiritual growth, and life within the church.
In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers examines the biblical definition of a Christian and highlights three foundational realities: Christians are given a new condition, brought into a new community, and called to a new calling. Through faith in Christ, believers become new creations, members of God's family, and people who are called to grow in holiness and reflect the character of Christ.
This new identity provides the foundation for understanding why accountability and encouragement are necessary parts of the Christian life. Church discipline is not rooted in punishment but in helping one another live faithfully as the people God has called us to be.
For more biblical resources and teaching from Pastor Tony Myers, visit RodStaff.org.
 
 
what is a Christian, Christian identity, discipleship, church discipline, new creation, child of God, sanctification, holiness, church membership, local church, biblical teaching