That None Should Perish:

A Course in Ecclesiastical Discipline 

Presented by Pastor John van Eyk

Word and Spirit Institute is offering the next course in Church Leadership. There will be 4 biweekly sessions of two hours each on January 11, 2025, January 25, 2025, February 8, 2025, February 22, 2025 . This is a ZOOM presentation across the continent, therefore the start time is 3:00pm EST.

The course is open to anyone for a fee of $100.00. The registration form is available on the website for new participants to send to wsinstitute@outlook.com. 

https://forms.gle/KjjGFs9GNYhzieJP8

We know what the Reformed tradition has said about the three marks of the Church: the pure
gospel must be preached, the pure administration of the sacraments must be made use of, and
church discipline for correcting faults must be practiced (Belgic Confession, Article 28). Of the
three, we are probably weakest in practicing church discipline. We might be tempted to take
solace in thinking that ‘two out three ain’t bad’ but we know that won’t do. We dare not neglect
any gift of the ascended Head of the Church.
Even if we are eager to accept this gift and use it in Christ’s church there is a host of difficulties
that confront us. There are many ways to make mistakes while using this important key of the
kingdom. In this course we will be looking at what the Scriptures say about ecclesiastical
discipline so that we might confidently practice it while carefully avoiding some of the ways in
which we get it wrong. We will also be looking at Reformed Church Orders to see the guidelines
our fathers in the faith offered to enable the under shepherds to work out the biblical teaching in
the nitty gritty of ecclesiastical life with the persistent challenges that living in a sinful world
throws up to us.

Course Material

The student will need a copy of Jay E. Adams’s Handbook of Church Discipline: A Right and
Privilege of Every Church Member. A digital Kindle version can be purchased at amazon.ca.
Other case studies, readings, and podcasts will be assigned during the course.

Course Structure

The course instruction will be given via Zoom for a total of 8 hours. We will meet for four
sessions of two hours each. There will be instruction and discussion in the sessions. Students
will be required to write short reflection papers on the assigned reading, classes, case studies,
and your experiences with ecclesiastical discipline.

Evaluation

1. Student Attendance 50%
2. Required Reading 20%
3. Reflection Papers 30%

Course Outline

1. Lecture One: The Context of Discipline
a. Gospel Ethos
b. Church Membership
c. Ecclesiastical Authority: Keys of the Kingdom
d. Formative Discipline
e. Helps to Disciplinef. Impediments to Discipline
2. Lecture Two: The Goals of Discipline
a. Honour of Christ
b. Restoration of Sinner
c. Concern for the body
d. Witness to the world
3. Lecture Three: The Steps and Stages of Discipline
a. Local
4. Lecture Four: Steps and Stages of Discipline Continued
a. Classis
b. Restoration
c. Questions and Answers

Attendance certificates available upon request.