From November 2005

 LOVING DISCIPLINE

Stereotypes of Christians float around in American popular culture, and they are bound to influence us.  For example, a sentimental stereotype pictures Christians as so nice that they would (or could) never discipline other people.  Another stereotype, which is often found especially among secularists, imagines Christians as unforgiving, ruthless, perfectionistic, and anxious to discipline -- actually, punish -- the least behavioral infractions committed by others.

Unfortunately, these stereotypes have more than a little influence on the real behavior of real Christians.  Often, wanting to avoid the stereotypical enforcer, Christians today are tempted to lapse into the stereotypical nice guy (or gal).

Both of these stereotypes miss the mark.  For the way that Christians best correct each other is the way of loving discipline.  Loving discipline maintains respect for the ones who are corrected, yet seeks to correct their misbehavior.      

On a recent weekend St. Peter’s United Methodist Church was glad to provide Christian hospitality for the wedding of a couple from out of town.  The pastors who presided at the Service of Christian Marriage were competent, faithful pastors in The United Methodist Church.  The bride, groom, and their families  -- from the earliest planning consultation until the last Amen of the service -- were extraordinarily thoughtful, gracious, and generous.  General comments following the service were glowingly positive.

But then there was that one incident.  After the service, Carole, our Church Secretary, was walking down the hall that leads to the pastor’s study.  She noticed that a few young men, in the Serendipity Classroom, had opened bottles of beer and were celebrating the wedding of their friends.  Carole did not respond with stereotypical niceness; that is, she did not act like she did not see what, in fact, she had seen, and keep walking down the hall.  Nor did she react with stereotypical ruthlessness; that is, she did not slip into an attack mode and angrily scold the young men.  Instead, Carole approached the men, calmly informed them that St. Peter’s United Methodist Church does not allow alcoholic beverages on church property, and kindly asked them to put away their open bottles.  The young men behaved like gentlemen.  They respectfully received her word, quickly did what they were asked to do, and headed for the post-wedding reception at the beach.

That is the way we Christians love others when they require discipline.  Loving discipline.

In American society today, the taken-for-granted rules of civility and decency are crumbling.  In response to this, the Church is wise to develop some basic goals and guidelines for basic behavior.  That is why the Education Committee formulated, and the Administrative Council approved, “Our Classroom Goals” and “Student Goals.”  Both of these statements are found in this issue of the newsletter.  With God’s help, they will help our Sunday School to teach and transmit the Christian faith.  They are exercises in loving discipline -- for the sake of the Gospel.

On occasion, our life together in the Church will involve some discipline.  But always, let it be loving discipline.  As God lovingly disciplines all of us.