Restoration

Illness can reduce a rancher’s herd in an incredibly short amount of time. The reduction may be from the disease itself, or simply a side effect of the illness (such as making it easier for predators to target the herd). The rancher’s investment in the herd dictates that he pay close attention to the herd for signs of illness.
Such observation is time and resource consuming and can require a great deal of knowledge about the herd and the various illnesses that can affect the herd. Even at the best of times this can be a laborious process as much the rancher’s time is already taken up with making sure the herd is sheltered, fed, and defended from predators. Ranchers with larger herds often have ranch hands to help them out with these tasks by breaking the herd down into more manageably sized groups.
The rancher’s best bet is to learn to recognize what a healthy herd member looks like and how a healthy herd member acts. By learning that one standard it makes it easier to recognize when something is “not right” with a herd member. It also helps if the rancher takes the time to learn the symptoms of the major illnesses that are most likely to infect the herd or a herd member rather than trying to learn the symptoms of all illnesses that might affect them.
When a herd member is acting abnormally, the rancher must segregate the herd member for observation and examination. If the herd member is simply injured then treatment is usually simple and direct, though in some cases it may be time consuming.
If no injury is found in the herd member and the abnormal behavior is symptomatic of an illness the rancher is familiar with, then the rancher will begin the appropriate treatment so that he get rejoin that valuable herd member with the herd again.
If the abnormal behavior is not symptomatic of an illness the rancher is familiar with then the rancher will call in a specialist (veterinarian) to examine the herd member. The rancher is also likely to call in a specialist if he recognizes the illness, but does not have the resources needed to treat the herd member.
The last thing the rancher will do is let the abnormally acting herd member remain with the herd. That herd has required a significant amount of time, care, and resources from the rancher. He will not risk letting one sick herd member infect or cripple the herd.

Now that you have read that, reread it and replace the word rancher with the word pastor, replace the word herd with the word flock, and replace the word specialist with Holy Spirit.

Scripture makes it plain that there are conditions and circumstances which require the segregation or separation of church members for the sake of the church. Allowing an afflicted member of the flock to remain with the flock will allow the illness to spread to the rest of the flock and/or it will hamper the churches ability to function by damaging the church’s testimony and hindering its ability to function as it should.

In the analogy above note the care and treatment of the individual at the cost of time and resources taken from caring for the group.

This is not just about kicking someone out.
It is about restoration.

If you go through scripture (particularly the new testament) you will find that there are steps given to rectify problems and to help those of us who are screwing up to see what we need to do to bring our lives in line with Jesus first and, as a result of that, in line with the church.

Now we know that this is a time when the individual most desperately needs the body, but we cannot forget that the body desperately needs the individual to be healthy so that the herd can function and add new members.

The church is the bride of Christ and our focus is to be on Jesus and being a “pure” bride.

People get their wounds and infections cared for. Allowing one part of their body to remain infected or continue bleeding will mean that the person’s ability to function as he is supposed to will be very short lived.

Scripture makes it clear that the church is one body. That body needs to be cared for.

1 Cor 5:9-12, Mat 18:15-17, Mat 10:14-15
 
Well, yes, that is why, if you have a cold, you not doing anyone any favours by attending church. And if you really sick, the pastor and elders meant to come to you and pray and anoint you. You cant go yourself!
 
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