These questions need to be asked because in some churches it is clear that no one wants to confront a troublemaker. The hope seems to prevail that what is ignored may go away, what is not talked about may magically disappear, that if Fred or Ethel are allowed to run riot just this one time they will magically become calmer next month or next year.
What would you do if an officer came to a meeting in an inebriated state? What stance will the session take toward one member (or a few members operating together) who constantly want to undermine the work of the pastor or force him/her out? How do you deal with members who are continually disrupting the peace and unity of the church? What position will the trustees take when a member wants to pay employees under the table or resists putting contracts out to bid because he or she wants to give them to Uncle Don’s Construction Co.?
Sometimes the greatest harm is caused to the church’s health, not because the actions of a few difficult or unreasonable people disrupt the congregation’s work in the first place, but because the officers let them continue to cause damage, because the leaders do not live up to their responsibilities fully, because the elders, deacons and trustees do not insist on the highest professional and ethical standards for all officers and members (G-6.0106-6.0107; 5.0102).
On some occasions officers or members of the congregation who are causing serious trouble in the church must be told authoritatively “There is a line in the sand here. You cannot pass beyond it. Your behavior is not acceptable in our church family. We do not act this way in our congregation, we do not treat other members or our staff in such dishonest or uncaring ways. If you persist in such actions we, the officers of the church, will hold you accountable.”
Although constitutional provisions for removal from membership or church office are rarely utilized in most congregations, it is possible that if violators continue in actions disapproved by the session (after due dialogue and consultation) they can be removed (G-6.0501); in extreme circumstances, charges can be brought against those who have violated their ordination, installation or membership vows through disciplinary cases (D-2.0203; D-10.0000-14.0000).
Posted Feb. 23, 2004 
Earl S. Johnson Jr. is the pastor of First church, Johnstown, N.Y. He is the author of several books, including Selected to Serve: A Guide for Church Officers (2000) and Witness Without Parallel: Eight Biblical Texts That Make Us Presbyterian (2003).
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