CONFRONTATION IN THE CHURCH

Bought a book today by June Hunt called CONFRONTATION. Looks good so far. You know, we have an OBLIGATION to confront evil. I have been studying Matthew, and there is portion I never heard preached correctly - almost all preachers say - "If your brother or sister sins AGAINST YOU." That is NOT what it says. If we discern the Lord's body, we need to care for every part WHETHER OR NOT the sin is against us personally. If it is against the Lord or against his church, we are COMMANDED to deal with it and so strengthen the church. People are doing what is right in their own eyes and the only Bible verse people seem to know is "Judge Not"  while ignoring all the verses where we are SUPPOSED to judge!  We are told to live and let live and the preachers who preach the most pablum seem to have the biggest churches.  Hard core biblical preaching is a largely lost art.  So is confrontation within the church, whether by the pastor or my older saints who are supposed to teach (and correct) the younger ones.  We need church fathers and church mothers who will help those less experienced in the faith regardless of age come to maturity in the Lord. The same goes for confronting leaders - we are not to show partiality. If the pastor or another leader is clearly against the Bible, it is our OBLIGATION to privately go to him and confront him with the truth.  He may have made an honest mistake, but more likely has wandered from the pure gospel and needs correction.  He may not take it from you, but it may set in motion a process whereby he can be restored to a right relationship with God.  If none of that works, your conscience will be clear as you depart that place and join an assembly with leadership faithful to the scriptures.

Here is the passage from Matthew 18 dealing with sin in the church  - comments please! 

15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.