St. Peter and St. Paul (Observed)

Excommunication

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

Last Sunday, we discussed Irenaeus of Lyons and his conflict with Bishop Victor, who excommunicated individuals wanting to celebrate Easter on a different day. Now, I’m oversimplifying the issue between Irenaeus and Victor, but it led to a conversation about excommunication, what it is, and whether there are different kinds of excommunication.

First, excommunication in the strictest sense is the act of the church removing someone from membership and declaring that he or she is not a true Christian. This happens because an individual refuses to repent of a known, ongoing sin. The church never wants to do this and must approach it carefully and thoughtfully.

Now, within excommunication, there are what we call the minor and major bans. The minor ban is a short-term action that the pastor uses, in consultation with the Elders, to address someone who has done something—through words, actions, or inaction—that requires confession of sin and reconciliation before they can approach and receive the Lord’s Supper again.

The major ban is an action that not only prevents someone from receiving the Lord’s Supper but also publicly removes them from church membership.

Why does the Church utilize what sounds like such extreme measures?

While the minor and major bans of excommunication are often seen as heavy-handed or unloving, St. Paul explains the need to care for our neighbors and fellow Christians this way,
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:27-32)

If someone has not properly confessed their sin or sought reconciliation with a neighbor or the church, then we shouldn’t wish for them to approach the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner that leads to eternal judgment of unbelief.

But you say, this is between the individual and God…

In reality, we are all members of the body of Christ, and there are no fingers, toes, or limbs that can live apart from the body. We are truly a united people, so when we look out for one another, we are also looking out for the entire flock.

So, what do we do when situations like these arise? We pray for those who have separated themselves from us through sin. We want them to receive the forgiveness Christ is willing to give. In fact, St. Luke wrote, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)

For these reasons, we must always continue to repent, forgive, and dwell in unity.

In Christ,
Pastor Rogness