Preacher, are you guilty of 'pulpit bombardment'?

Perhaps one of the most consistently discouraging aspects of working with a congregation is the seemingly universal disregard for the NT method of dealing with discipline in a local body. In this post Kent Brandenburg explains Jesus words on that very issue and also describes one of the most common of "shameful alternatives" to true discipline. In part 2 of his treatment on the topic, Kent explains the equally disobedient approach of "pulpit bombardment," in which a preacher brings what should initially be a private conversation before the whole church in a sermon:

Ironically, a pastor may feel courageous when he practices pulpit bombardment, viewing what he is doing as some kind of public boldness. Maybe he thinks he is filling some kind of prophetic role, like an Elijah or a John the Baptist. It isn’t bold; it’s cowardice. We pastors need to get that in our heads and hearts. Courage would confront the sin privately to attempt reconciliation. Courage would trust God with the care of the church. Courage would only judge what it sees, not what it imagines is happening. Courage accomplishes discipline face to face first. Courage wouldn’t use the ministry of preaching as a cover for disobeying what scripture tells it to do.

Too true.