disfellowship

[ dis-fel-oh-ship ]

noun

1. (in some Protestant religions) the status of a member who, because of some serious infraction of church policy, has been denied the church's sacraments and any post of responsibility and is officially shunned by other members.

verb (used with object)

, dis·fel·low·shiped, dis·fel·low·ship·ing or (especially British) dis·fel·low·shipped, dis·fel·low·ship·ping.

1. to place in the status of disfellowship.

disfellowship

/ ˌdɪsˈfɛləʊʃɪp /

verb

1. to excommunicate

Word History and Origins

Origin of disfellowship¹

First recorded in 1600–10; dis- ¹ + fellowship

Example Sentences

Dwight McKissic, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, shared his displeasure on Twitter, writing that the decision to “disfellowship” Saddleback was not about Scripture or adherence to the Baptist Faith and Message.

From Los Angeles Times

Even if Saddleback in the end is OK with disfellowship and wants to move on, I hope they will appeal it if for no other reason than to allow their brothers and sisters in Christ, who do not want to see this happen to other churches, to debate this on the floor of the annual convention in an orderly process governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.

From Los Angeles Times

Declaring people suppressive is “no different than the practices of disfellowship, excommunication and shunning, practiced by other religions when one member of a group engages in unethical conduct which is damaging to the group as a whole,” said Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw.

From Los Angeles Times

The most recent disfellowship of an SBC church occurred a year ago when the executive committee ousted Ranchland Heights Baptist Church of Midland, Texas, because it employed a registered sex offender as pastor.

From Seattle Times

The most recent disfellowship of an SBC church occurred a year ago when the executive committee ousted Ranchland Heights Baptist Church of Midland, Texas, because it employed a registered sex offender as pastor.

From Washington Times