When a sixteen-year-old stays out all night drinking, then drives home, a father disciplines him with grounding. When a student cuts class, is late with papers, and turns in inferior work, a college professor disciplines him with failing marks. When an employee is lazy and is caught pilfering company goods, his boss disciplines him by firing him. At the businessman's club a member who skips meetings and refuses to join in service projects is disciplined by dismissal from club membership.

A church member having an adulterous affair - what happens? Nothing. A church member who has not attended worship in six months and has no legitimate excuse except a busy social schedule - what happens? Nothing. A pastor, hard-working and faithful, yet being slandered by a mean-spirited and disgruntled ch…