Maintaining a standard for Christian community and the individuals who claim to ascribe themselves to the morays and moral regulations of a particular Christian subculture is often defended as one of the most essential tasks of church members. Thus, water tight doctrines and operating procedures have been drafted as a means of standardizing and regulating the definition and application of “appropriate Christian behavior”.
Standard of Christian Practice
These practices though very tangible in some communities such as the church, where they are labeled as church “law,” or in schools where they are known as “Student Life Guides,” they are just as present outside of such formal settings. Throughout the Christian community referred to as “appropriate” dress, actions and behavior. It often falls on the shoulders of officially recognized church leaders and a select few “respected” individuals within the community to be the authority regarding such practices. Overseeing the enforcement of these often inexact and unwritten regulations, those within the community who are known for “good Christian living” are entrusted with the essential task of upholding and executing the procedure of church discipline.
Conveyance of Infractions
The manor in which these regulations are enforced is a complex system. First, observation of “apparent” infractions of the Christian code are noted by any individual within the community, then without discretion disseminated through the official channels as an all points bulletin. (These are often referred to as prayer chains.) Upon receipt of the second or even third hand information, a counsel of sages is convened in a practice known as the “prayer meeting”. (Generally comprised of the pastors wife and any other women in the church who received the “prayer request” on their voicemail.) During this session of deliberation, the severity of the infraction is determined, a fitting manor of restitution is agreed upon and as a formality “divine consultation” (prayer) may be referenced, but is not necessary to determine an official ruling.
Counsel
Once a ruling has been reached the counsel adjourns and returns to their respective homes, where they will confide the results of the case to their most trusted confidants, (pretty much anyone they run into and perhaps their husband if they remember to add it to their list of ways in which they have failed to be the man God intended them to be.)
Sentencing
Implementing the decided sentence, begins with titling the perpetrator, while titles vary, most commonly the individual is henceforth referred to exclusively as “wayward” or “backslidden,” thus initiating phase one of reciprocity. Depending on the severity of the infraction punishment can engender many forms, typical execution of punishment includes a creative mix of varied consequence. For example: looks of disdain, condescending letters of encouragement, expulsion from positions of leadership, exclusion from elite groups, i.e. Bible studies, prayer meetings, breakfast groups and any celebratory event such as birthdays and weddings. Though one element of punishment is always implemented regardless of the infraction, any counsel member when confronted with the individual must assert their authority by anecdotally referring to their morning quiet time and condescending imply that the perpetrator has fallen out of God’s good grace by concluding all conversations with “I’m praying for you.”
Duration of Sentence
Duration of sentencing is generally arbitrary, though can be intentionally protracted if the intended result is permanent estrangement of the individual from the community. Such sever sentencing is general reserved for high profile offenders (anyone who realizes the truth that even Christians struggle with depravity) and those who want drums on the stage. Those who have not been dealt a protracted sentence will see conclusion to the punishment once the counsel acknowledges that the individual has repented of their behavior, the counsel quantifies these results in further prayer sessions. Their standard for authenticating the individuals repentance is determined by the perpetrators behavior with respect to the church and the counsel, (increased tithing, smiling, being kind and providing menial services to the counsel members.) If these standards of repentance have been met the individual is conditionally eligible for conclusion of their sentence, as long as a new perpetrator has the attention of the counsel, if no such perpetrator has been found or contrived, the individual must simply wait until the counsel looses interest and forgets what the infraction was altogether.
Unfortunately for the perpetrator complete redemption is no longer an option, thus they may never be reinstated to positions of leadership and mention to their “time away from God” will continue to be referenced indefinitely.