All of us remember a time in which we were caught doing something that we know we shouldn't be doing. If you are like me, you also a remember a time when you someone caught you in the act and your response was anger mixed with embarassment. For me, it was the time that my youth pastor reprimanded me for having a less than genteel conversation that someone had reported to me. He caught me dead-to-rights, but instead of humbling acknowleding my error, I preceded to defend myself and get angry at whomever at turned me in. I should have let my guilt lead me to repentance but instead it led me to try to figure out who it could be and what I could do to fix it so that wouldn't happen again.

As any child with loving parents know, being disciplined for wrong actions that we knowingly committed is never enjoyable. As the child of very loving parents, I know this first-hand. However, I wonder how many children stop and think of the weight that it places on those responsible for their care. Parents could probably attest to this better than I, but I doubt its a picnic for them either.

 Parents are tasked with leading a child in the way they should go. In the same way, leaders - whether spiritual or professional  - are charged with helping to provide direction for those that follow them. I doubt that discipline is a topic that makes it into many management textbooks. However, just because the word may be unpopular the concept still holds true. Disciplining, or holding accountable, those who we are given care for, is our responsibilty, regardless of the cost it may take on us. If someone we are managing chooses to commit a wrongful action (not just a criminal one - but one that violates God's standards) its our job to lovingly correct them. Sometimes it doesn't feel very loving, and rarely do they accept it as a demonstrate of affection, but it is in fact prompting them to choose actions that are more in-line with God's character. And through this, we are prompting them to be the recipients of Christ's grace.

Proverbs 3:12 says "the LORD disciplines those he loves" (NIV). As leaders may we be encouraged to do the same.