What are the criteria for disfellowship? 1 Corinthians 5:11 seems to indicate sin of which the believer will not repent of the type listed, coupled with calling oneself a "brother" as the only criteria. Is there any other scripture that may indicate otherwise? -- Jan Sloan (Washington DC)
Disfellowship (note: "disfellowshipment" is not a word) is a very serious matter, warranted by grave sin unrepented of or false teaching (actively trying to turn others from the church) as in Titus 3. The local eldership makes the call, issuing the notice with love and with sensitivity to any legal implications. I believe the words about calling oneself a brother are meant primarily to distinguish between a church member and an outsider. (I.e., we don't disfellowship non-members.)
For more, this issue is thoroughly addressed in my paper, Church Discipline.
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