First Announcement

Beloved in the Lord:

The consistory informs you with sorrow, that a brother (sister) of the congregation has become guilty of sin against the … commandment. In spite of several earnest admonitions, there is no evidence of repentance. Therefore the consistory had to suspend him (her) from the communion of the table of the Lord. However, this did not lead to repentance. Continuing admonitions also proved fruitless. To its great sorrow the consistory is now obliged to exercise further discipline, and will have to proceed to the excommunication of this brother (sister) if he (she) persists in his (her) sin. We make this known to you for the first time, and seriously exhort you to pray the Lord that He may bring this member of the body to repentance.

Second Announcement

Beloved in the Lord:

With sorrow the consistory has informed you previously that a brother (sister) has become guilty of sin against the … commandment. You then heard that he (she) was suspended from the holy supper because he (she) refused to repent. In spite of continued discipline no true repentance has become apparent. On the contrary, all admonitions remained fruitless. The only result was a further hardening of heart. We have asked the advice of classis and now inform you with sorrow that we will proceed with the excommunication. We seriously exhort you to admonish this sinner continually in love. His (Her) name and address are _______________. Pray the Lord that He may bring this brother (sister) to repentance, that this sin may be banned from the congregation and the sinner be saved.

Third Announcement

Beloved in the Lord:

The consistory had the sad duty to inform you already twice that brother (sister) _______________ has become guilty of sinning against the … commandment. You also heard that he (she) refused to repent and further hardened his (her) heart, so that he (she) had to be suspended from the holy supper. Yet, no true repentance was shown. On the contrary, all admonitions remained fruitless. Therefore, to our great sorrow, we now inform you for the third time that we have to deal further with this brother (sister). If he (she) does not come to repentance, he (she) will be excluded from the communion of the church of Christ on … For the last time we call upon you to admonish him (her) most urgently and in love. Pray the Lord that it may please Him to lead this brother (sister) to repentance, so that he (she) may not harden himself (herself) to the utmost.

The Excommunication

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ:

The consistory has informed you that brother (sister) _______________ has persisted in a life of sin. The purpose of these announcements was that by your prayers and admonitions he (she) might turn to the living God and thus be delivered from the power of Satan, who has taken him (her) captive. But, to our deep sorrow, no one has informed us of the least evidence of true repentance, although he (she) was warned by many. His (Her) guilt, which was already serious, has only become all the heavier because of his (her) persistence in sin. We have shown much patience with him (her), but now we know ourselves bound to proceed to the ultimate remedy given us by the Lord in His Word, namely, exclusion from the communion of His church. This excommunication is intended to make this brother (sister) ashamed of his (her) sins, and also to ensure that this corrupt member does not affect the whole body which is Christ's church. Moreover, in this way the blaspheming of God's Name is prevented. Christ Jesus has assigned the exercise of discipline to His office-bearers with the words, Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.[*]

Therefore we, as the elders of the church of God in this place, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ excommunicate _______________ from the church of the Lord, because he (she) obstinately persists in his (her) sin.

He (she) is now excluded from the fellowship of Christ and from His kingdom. he (she) may no longer use the sacraments. he (she) has no part any more in the spiritual blessings and benefits which Christ bestows upon His church. As long as he (she) persists in sin, let him (her) be to you as a Gentile and an outcast.[*]

Warning to the Congregation

We exhort you, beloved Christians, not to look on him (her) as an enemy. On the contrary, try to warn him (her) as a brother (sister). But do not associate with him (her), that he (she) may be ashamed and come to repentance.[*]

This excommunication, beloved, is a warning for us all. Let us fear the Lord and be cautious, for he who thinks he stands must take heed lest he fall.[*] Continue in the true fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, and also with all upright believers, so that we may obtain eternal salvation.

You have seen in what manner our excommunicated brother (sister) has lost the way: how he (she) began to fall and gradually came to ruin. Learn from this how subtle Satan is in bringing man to destruction,[*] and how he causes him to despise God's Word and His sacraments.

Therefore, resist evil from the very beginning. Lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith.[*]

Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour.[*]

Pray that you may not enter into temptation.[*]

Today, when you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.[*]

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.[*] Let everyone repent of his sins lest our God humble us again and we have to grieve for another member of the body. Live with one accord in godliness; be our crown and joy in the Lord.

Only the Lord, who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure,[*] is able to keep us in the way of His commandments.

Let us, therefore, call upon His holy Name with confession of our sins.

Prayer