Church Members

• Key point 6-10.1. According to the majority view, the civil courts will not resolve disputes challenging a church's discipline of a member since the first amendment guaranty of religious freedom prevents them from deciding who are members in good standing of a church.
Church Members

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that it was barred from resolving a claim by a dismissed church member that his church violated his legal rights when it dismissed him. A man (David) began attending a small, independent church and became a church member a year later. When he became a member, David consented not to cause division within the church, to be faithful to Matthew 18:15-17, and to accept discipline imposed by the church. Matthew 18:15-17 provides: "And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one ...