Restoration

What is the goal of discipline?

I ask that question because I do not think we stop and answer that question. We just see someone who does something wrong and we have to discipline them. We have to punish them. We want to make sure that they pay for what they did.

Well the point of discipline is not to punish, the point of discipline should be restoration. Now in no way am I suggesting there are not consequences for our actions. There are and there should be.

However, what are the steps to that are to be taken for restoration?

Now, I also think that every situation is unique and you can not just say if you do this then the restoration process is this. Every situation is unique and different. Every person is unique and different.

Now, honestly I think the Western PA District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance does a really good job at the restoration process. Being an official worker, I receive a letter in the mail occasionally that is marked "confidential." I don't like opening those letters. Most of the time they are about colleagues who have experienced a moral failure. That hurts. Now when this happens, the discipline committee sets up a plan for restoration. Upon completion of the plan, we get another "confidential" letter. This time however it tells us that they have been restored! I love those letters.

Now the question then becomes what do you do with the person who is restored?

So many people are cynical these days. They always want to say, "I wonder when he will screw up again?" That is just wrong on so many levels.

• First of all, it is not respecting those who are in authority. If they came up with the restoration plan, it was followed, the person was restored, to reject the restoration is to reject those who were in authority.
• Second if you can't accept the restoration, then can you be forgiven? (read Matthew 6:14-15)
• Third are you supporting your brother like you would hope he would do if and when roles were reversed? (yes you too are capable of messing up)

The goal of discipline is restoration. When one completes the restoration you celebrate! You throw a party. You pray for that person! Yes, pray for them. It is amazing what happens to your feelings about someone when you start praying for them on a consistent basis.

So when you are in that situation of having to discipline or be disciplined, make sure there is a plan of restoration. Get it in writing if you have to. Remember the goal is not punishment. The goal is restoration.