Church disciplining in African-American denominations can vary slightly from one African-American denomination though there are many similarities. Disciplining in church refers to expressing disapproval over someone’s action that will call for that person to repent in order to be forgiven by God and to continue carrying out church activities.
In Africa Methodist church which is an example of African-American denomination a clergy, a member of the congregation or any other person in church is charged if he or she performs an act that is against the African Methodist church doctrines. For instance, failing to minister properly, sexual abuse, carry out activities that hinder other pastors from ministering and racial harassment (Sandra 208). Under such circumstance, Africa Methodist church will require the witness to confront the clergy or the member of the congregation in a private manner and ask him or her to stop that action and repent. If a person refuses he or she rebukes the person in private trying to convince him or her to change and repent. In the case where the person still becomes adamant to change, the next thing is to name the person in public for instance, after the church service. Africa Methodist church believes in doing well and always avoiding the evil (Sandra 215).
Disciplining in the Church Of God in Christ involves the final stage of excommunication. Church Of God in Christ has its doctrines that every member has to follow accordingly. For example, mode of dressing and how finances should be obtained. If a member of the church or the clergy dresses improperly or obtained money that is deemed illegal, he or she will be warned and asked to repent (Elder 88). If the same person repeats the same sin, he or she will be excommunicated from the church completely.
Works cited
Elder Junior. (1991). Official manual with the doctrines and discipline of the church of god in
Christ. Church of God in Christ. 1991. Print.
Sandra Barnes. ‘Priestly and Prophetic Influences on Black Church Social Services. Black
Church Social Services, 51, 2 2004 : 202-221. Print.
