In this episode of The Conquering Truth, we explore “contumacy”—the most common reason for excommunication in faithful churches today. While many assume church discipline is only for overt scandals like adultery, contumacy is a stubborn refusal to submit to the biblically established authority of the church. We discuss why this sin is comparable to the judicial concept of “contempt of court” within the body of Christ and how it manifests as a breach of the membership covenant and ask the following questions: Is it possible to simply “resign” from a local church to avoid the judgment of the elders? Or does this reveal a lack of respect for the universal church and the commands of Matthew 18? And if someone does flee to avoid discipline, is it wrong to excommunicate them for their refusal to recognize the authority of the church? Furthermore, if someone has been excommunicated from a church, is there any way that this can be appealed to other churches, or does scripture require a governing authority for this to happen?
Many people first heard of contumacy because of the 2026 controversy involving Stephen Nichols and St. Andrew’s Chapel, and while we will mention it in passing in the episode, we do not have sufficient information to discuss it in detail. Instead, we examine the normative process and the jurisdictional complexities that arise when members attempt to flee discipline. Many Christians today treat the church as if it has no real authority, as if it is a purely voluntary association that one can walk away from at any time.
Theology impacts every facet of life, including how we resolve conflict and honor God’s structure for His people. Discover why understanding contumacy is essential for the peace and purity of the church today.
Thumbnail image by www.quotecatalog.com
Timecodes
00:00:00 What is it?
00:07:00 Church Authority
00:17:15 Our Experience
00:25:00 Respecting Discipline
00:28:15 Loving Your Neighbor
00:32:40 Honoring Other’s Excommunication
00:52:40 Cult Behavior?
01:01:05 Causing Division
Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson