[Mrs.Z]

The elders of this church did the right thing.

Unfortunately this was beyond the Matt. 18:15-17 stage and went public.

[safisoft]

Unfortunately this was beyond the Matt. 18:15-17 stage and went public.

That is not what Matthew 18 is about. They followed the injuction regarding elders quite correctly. A public rebuke is mandatory.

1Ti 5:19-20 Don't receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses. Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.