Leadership Foundations

Course 3

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The Hard Stuff

Correction, Discipline, and Teaching Moments

““If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
— Matthew 18:15-17

  • Not only is Matthew 18 an instruction on how to handle sins against one another, it can also be a great guide for how to handle correction.

    -First go to the person about to the issue, ask questions, find out more, and give your concerns.

    -If they are not receptive, bring someone else (another leader) with you, and go to them again.

    -If they are still not receptive, bring the issue to the leadership of the church (Elders and Pastors).

    1. Use Wisdom

    Not everything needs corrected on confronted. Use wisdom and discernment to understand the difference between sin issues, leadership issues, simple mistakes, and all the other complexities. Pray for wisdom from God in all cases and teaching moments.

    1. Ask Questions

    Before talking to somebody about what happened, or what needs fixed, ask questions. Find out what happened, what was said, or how things went with true care and curiosity.

    1. Opportunity to Care

    Look at these moments as a true opportunity to care for the other person, care for those being led, and to be cared for (if you are the one being corrected). Every opportunity like this is an opportunity for discipleship and growth. Even scripture tells us "The Lord disciplines those He loves."

    Use grace, to love and care for people, and understand growth. We are all in a place where we need grace, and we need to grow.

Hard does not mean bad.

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
— Proverbs 12:1
“Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.”
— Proverbs 15:32