In my own denomination we do practice more church discipline than a typical Conservative Mennonite church does let alone a generic evangelical church. We do not practice strict social avoidance, but there are consequences to being excommunicated. About 75% of those who are, eventually are restored to full fellowship. (Weaver 2017)Gene wrote:It does seem obvious that the extreme view of shunning practiced by the Amish, one I find to be less than biblical, has much to do with retention. However, this maybe primarily due to the stark contrast with the wider practice of reducing Christianity to a mental exercise completely bereft of cultural markers, which is why we consider it so shocking. Perhaps if evangelicals at large took seriously that Jesus had something to say about how we live in addition to salvation by grace alone, we would not consider the Amish beliefs regarding church discipline quite so objectionable.
The most common reason is for sexual immorality, and most commonly amongst people aged 18-25. (Weaver 2017)
An excommunicant can still attend church but his or her involvement will be limited, and members are discouraged from spending a great deal of time one on one unless there are signs of repentance.
Now my question is: when people fall into fornication, adultery, and other grievous sexual immorality, is it improper to shun them to a degree?