Church Discipline Practices and Congregational Integrity in Methodist Churches in Lagos State

Church discipline, the practice of corrective intervention in the behaviour of church members, is a doctrinally affirmed but practically contentious dimension of Christian community life. This study examines church discipline practices, their theological foundations, and their effects on congregational integrity in selected Methodist churches in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with questionnaires administered to 180 adult members and twenty church council leaders from six Methodist churches in Lagos Island, Yaba, and Surulere. Interviews with eight pastors explored the theology and practice of discipline in their congregations. Results indicate that formal discipline processes are used in 45 percent of surveyed churches when cases of serious moral failure arise. Reconciliation and restoration are the stated aims in all cases, though actual practice shows more punitive outcomes in 38 percent of disciplinary processes. Members' attitudes toward discipline are divided, with 58 percent supporting gentle restorative approaches and 42 percent preferring public accountability processes. The fear of discipline driving members to transfer to less demanding churches is acknowledged by 70 percent of pastors as a practical barrier to discipline. The study concludes that Methodist church discipline in Lagos State requires renewed theological grounding in restorative justice, community accountability, and the dignity of the offending member. Practical training for church leaders in restorative discipline processes is recommended.

Keywords: church discipline, congregational integrity, Methodist churches, Lagos State, restorative justice