2.1  The responsibility and authority for discipline in a particular church belongs to the session. Oversight of the children of the church belongs first to their parents, but the session is responsible to give support to parents as they lead and guide children in their spiritual formation. In cases where the actions of members of the church are detrimental to their own spiritual growth or to the life, witness, and service of the church, the pastor and/or other members of the session shall counsel them. The action by the session to admonish or suspend a member shall be taken only with respect to serious offenses, and then only after full opportunity is given for the approach of counseling. Removal of an elder from the session or a deacon from the diaconate may be accompanied by deposition from office.
     2.2  The responsibility and authority for the discipline of ministers and churches rests with the presbytery to which they belong. When the actions of ministers are detrimental to their spiritual growth, the discharge of the duties of their office, and the spiritual welfare of the church, the chairperson and/or members of the committee on the ministry shall counsel them or request other members of the presbytery to do so. The action by the presbytery to admonish, suspend, or depose shall be taken only with respect to serious offenses and then only after full opportunity is given for the approach of counseling.
     When the action of a particular church is detrimental to the spiritual welfare of its members or to the connectional relations and ministries of the larger church, it shall be counseled by the board of missions of the presbytery or by a special committee or commission appointed by the presbytery. Should counseling fail to achieve the desired objective, the presbytery may admonish the church and instruct its session to correct what is wrong, suspend the session and govern the church temporarily through a commission, dissolve the session and conduct a new election of elders, or dissolve the church and attach its members to other congregations.
     2.3  The responsibility and authority for discipline of their constituent judicatories by synods and the General Assembly is exercised in general review and control, or in response to an appeal of an action taken by a constituent judicatory. When the action of a constituent judicatory is contrary to the rules of government of the church or detrimental to the connectional relations or life and ministries of the church, it may be counseled through a special committee or commission, admonished, suspended, instructed to correct what is wrong, or dissolved.