For whatever reason, some churches seem to think that society needs to return to locking people up in the stockade for the afternoon. Given that the city square does not have a place for public humiliation anymore, some churches decide to take it upon themselves to humiliate members. If you are at a church that makes a habit of singling out individuals, couples or families and shaming them, it is time to leave. 

There is a huge difference between helping a Christian brother or sister correct their behavior and calling them out in front of the entire congregation. One is helpful and done with love. The other is a power play that does nothing but cause the person being humiliated to become angry. Be wary of shaming that is directed at a certain group as well. Some churches seem to love blaming all the world’s ills on lazy, entitled, sinful young people and then wonder why the youngest person in their congregation is a 40 year old father of three. A general warning against drinking to excess is one thing. It is another to stare pointedly at an individual or identify them by name from the pulpit.