Renewal Ministries Fellowship

While being careful not to meddle in the internal affairs of the local Church, Renewal Ministries Fellowship recognises the responsibility we have to our Affiliates and those associated with them to provide avenues for healing and restoration where sin and conflict have wounded the body of Christ. We assert that God's scriptural discipline of ministers and others who have fallen is always with a view to repentance, forgiveness, release and restoration - never with a purpose of rejection, ostracism, isolation or ex-communication.

Every Christian, no matter how powerful their ministry, how close their walk with God has been, is capable of being deceived by sin and becoming cold to the things of God. On this earth we never get to the place where we have 'made it' and become immune to the deceitfulness of sin but must rather continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling while resting confident in God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose (Phil. 2:12-13). As a community of believers Renewal Ministries Fellowship aims to so pray, support, encourage, challenge and nurture one another in open, transparent and accountable relationships that none of us become hardened by sin's deceitfulness and disqualified from ministry. Where we fail to do this such that one of our ministers becomes caught in a sin that is destructive to both their walk with God and the health of the body of Christ the following steps shall be taken in order to facilitate the operation of Christ's redemptive power and healing in the situation and lives of all involved. 'Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. 'But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 'Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ' (Gal. 6:1-2).

Discernment & Discipline Process / Procedure for if you have a Complaint about a Renewal Ministries Fellowship Minister:

In any conflict between members of the body of Christ every effort should be made by those involved to reconcile with one another (Mat. 5:23-24) without involving others in their difficulties. Conflicts and difficulties within the local church should be resolved, as far as possible, within the local church. On rare occasions individuals may find it impossible to resolve their conflicts or difficulties just between one another or within the local church. At such times the following course of action (Mat. 18:15-17) within Renewal Ministries Fellowship is available to them in order to facilitate God's restoration of all involved:

If any person suspects that an Affiliate of Renewal Ministries Fellowship has become caught in a sin or doctrinal error that is destructive to both their walk with God and the health of the body of Christ (see also our Policies and Procedures - Working with Children Policy, Sexual Abuse Policy, Vilification, Harassment and Bullying Policy, Spiritual Abuse Policy, Financial Policy or Position Statement on Sexuality) that person is to first pray about the situation and take it to our Father for His direction and dealing with it.
Secondly, in accordance with Matthew 18:15, they need to "go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens you have won your brother over". The only exception to this is where the person who is aware of the fault is the victim of abuse such that they are not, at this time, strong enough to, or would be leaving themselves open to further abuse if they did, confront the perpetrator alone. Where there is abuse the victim is encouraged to tell a member of Renewal Ministries Fellowship who is to act in accordance with our Policies and Procedures (our Working with Children Policy, Sexual Abuse Policy, Vilification, Harassment & Bullying Policy or Spiritual Abuse Policy) in order to protect the vulnerable, stop the abuse and promote restoration and healing of all involved.
If the minister accused of sin responds positively to this admonition from their brother/sister and repents of their sin then they (along with the person who confronted them, now acting as a support person) must, as soon as possible, discuss the matter with their local church leadership who shall act under the direction of the Holy Spirit and in accordance with Scripture to bring healing and restoration to all affected (guidelines for such action may be found in our Policies and Procedures and the leadership of Renewal Ministries Fellowship are available to counsel and support all parties through this time). Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.(James 5:16) Go to Restoring the Fallen.
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.(Matt. 18:16). The one or two others brought along need to be mature, discerning members of the body of Christ with a heart to restore, not condemn, their brother/sister. They are to listen carefully to what both people are saying and what the Holy Spirit is revealing about the situation. While it is damaging to allow sin to continue it can equally be damaging to falsely accuse and judge an innocent brother/sister.
If the one or two others are not convinced, having prayerfully discussed the whole matter with both the accuser and the minister, that the accusation is valid then the matter has not been established and there is no case for disciplinary action to be taken against the minister. The matter should, however, (and the accused minister would do well to do this themselves) be referred to the local Church leadership, and/or the minister's support people and/or the leadership of Renewal Ministries Fellowship so that they can all the more pray, support, encourage, challenge and nurture the minister in open, transparent and accountable relationships. This is to provide the minister with both the additional support needed to deal redemptively with accusations and the accountability to enable early identification of any problems.
If the minister accused of sin responds positively to the interaction with the two or more 'witnesses' and repents of their sin then they (along with the person who confronted them, now acting as a support person) must, as soon as possible, discuss the matter with their local church leadership who shall act under the direction of the Holy Spirit and in accordance with Scripture to bring healing and restoration to all affected (guidelines for such action may be found in our Policies and Procedures and the leadership of Renewal Ministries Fellowship are available to counsel and support all parties through this time). Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.(James 5:16) Go to Restoring the Fallen
If the two or three witnesses are convinced of the guilt of the minister and they remain unrepentant then "if he refuses to listen to them tell it to the church"(Matt. 18:17a). This sharing it with the minister's church can be a very difficult and painful process for all involved and should only be done after much prayer if every other avenue for restoration has failed. The minister concerned shall be given a full and fair opportunity of presenting their case (this includes the right to bring with them to the church meeting one or two others to support and testify for them).
If the church are not (having given all involved a full and fair opportunity to present their case) convinced of the validity of the accusations then no disciplinary action shall be taken against the minister. The church leadership may, however, discuss with the minister how they can more fully pray, support, encourage, challenge and nurture them in open, transparent and accountable relationships so as to provide the minister with both the additional support needed to deal redemptively with accusations and the accountability to enable early identification of any problems.
If the church are convinced (having given all involved a full and fair opportunity to present their case) that the accusation was made maliciously they will counsel the accuser regarding this and may, after prayer, institute disciplinary action for the purpose of bringing restoration to the accuser, the accused, and any others involved. The minister would do well to avail themselves of the support of others in Renewal Ministries Fellowship during this time.
If the church are convinced (having given all involved a full and fair opportunity to present their case) that the Minister is, or has been, caught in a sin that is destructive to both their walk with God and the health of the body of Christ and the minister responds in repentance then they move to the process of Restoring the Fallen.
If the church are convinced (having given all involved a full and fair opportunity to present their case) that the Minister is, or has been, caught in a sin that is destructive to both their walk with God and the health of the body of Christ and the minister remains unrepentant "and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector" (Matt. 18:17b) then they need to respond according to the Holy Spirit's direction in bringing restoration within their own congregation and inform the leadership of Renewal Ministries Fellowship who shall discus the situation with all involved and prayerfully consider revoking the minister's credentials and terminating their membership of Renewal Ministries Fellowship. Both the fallen minister and any churches/ministries that they were involved with shall be notified in writing of this decision and the reasons for it. "Expel the wicked man from among you" (1 Cor. 5:13).
If the fallen minister later repents "you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him..."(2 Cor. 2:7-8). Renewal Ministries Fellowship shall then begin the process of Restoring the Fallen.

"Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning" (1 Tim 5:19-20)