Topic(s):  Christian Life, Church

Todd Clippard

Withdrawal of fellowship from an unrepentant Christian is a serious matter and should always be treated as such. I have always believed and taught that the spiritual relationship supercedes the physical relationship. Jesus taught the same in Matthew 10:32-39. Therefore, if any of my relatives are withdrawn from, I must respect that withdrawal as it is done with the authority of Christ (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6).

However, I believe there would be some special considerations depending on the relationship in question. For example, if the church were to withdraw from one's spouse, this would not negate the many responsibilities one has to his spouse. One is not to withhold the marriage bed from one's mate, except for prayer and fasting, and then only for a season (a short time) - 1 Corinthians 7:1ff. One would still have the responsibility to love his spouse - Ephesians 5:23-32; 1 Peter 3:1-7.

Though I have never heard of such happening, it might be the case that a person's child, for example a teenager still living at home, could be in a situation requiring church discipline. The parent would still have certain obligations to the child, but these obligations should not enable the child to continue in sin.

Realizing the vagueness of this answer, let it be said that when withdrawal of fellowship takes place, we should never engage in any activity that lends credibility to the disciplined Christian or in any way enables or encourages them to continue in sin.