Are there any Baptists that believe a Divorced Pastor Can Still Pastor a Church??

[Chickenman1]

I was wondering if there are any Baptists out there who believe a Divorced Pastor can still pastor a church? Also how would you defend it scripturally? I have been divorced but I believe the text teaches A one woman man emphasizing faithfulness so I see no reason why a man that has been divorced can't pastor. I know that there are many out there who believe as I do and can articulate the position well. I was just wanting to get some feedback from both sides of the issue.

 

[KWCrazy]

Jesus did not condone divorce for any reason other than adultery. If the pastor's wife committed adultery he had a biblical reason to divorce her. Beyond that, the Bible teaches that the only unforgivable sin is the rejection of the Holy Spirit. If God can forgive, then man can forgive.

 

[archer75]

What if she divorced / left him? Is that okay?

 

[com7fy8]

1 Timothy 3:1-10

A man needs to be tested first, to see if he knows how to rule his own house well. Jesus says if you are faithful in little, then you will be faithful in much. Being faithful is not only about staying with your wife. It is about learning how to love in your own home, ruling your own house in our Father's family caring and sharing way, so then you can be trusted to rule His church in His family caring and sharing way.

And a man who is successful in this has had his wife as his help-mate, to help him get the correction and maturing which has him so succeed. So, God has made her essential to him becoming qualified to be a pastor according to our Apostle Paul's standards in 1 Timothy 3:1-10.

But single and divorced people can help him . . . if they are qualified.

We need example families . . . not only lone people. It is like how Jesus left Heaven itself in order to go through things of this life, so that now Jesus our Groom can feel for us and help us with His grace which made Him so successful > Hebrews 4:15. We need people who have learned in marriage how to love and how to care for others in our Father's family caring and sharing way, with leadership by example >

"nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:3)

They go through the things of marriage so then they can help others with the grace of this . . . like how Jesus went through things so now He can feel for us and help us

His wife helps him to get the correction and maturity which he needs, by helping him to learn how to relate in marriage and how to bring up their children . . . so then they as a couple can pastor by example.

This is what I understand, from 1 Timothy 3:1-10

So, whether you can pastor as a divorced person could be a decoy issue away from what is much more needing of attention. It is not enough to stay with one's spouse. One needs to grow and mature in one's marriage, so then they together can help other couples, after they themselves have found out how to love and how to care for one another and their children.

There are ministers who manage churches, yet they have not first found out how to relate and share in their own marriages. And so they can break down and fall out.

As individuals they also need to learn to walk with Jesus so they stay in Christ's "rest for your souls" (in Matthew 11:28-30). So they need to become "blameless", also, not only staying with their wives. And in order to gain this they need to grow first in their own marriages and families, so they know how to love in various interpersonal situations in close sharing with others.

And then they can help single people, too.

Marriage in Christ is a research laboratory for making breakthrough discoveries in how to love in close involvement with another person. So, this is crucial in God's seminary.

 

[Chickenman1]

Jesus did not condone divorce for any reason other than adultery. If the pastor's wife committed adultery he had a biblical reason to divorce her. Beyond that, the Bible teaches that the only unforgivable sin is the rejection of the Holy Spirit. If God can forgive, then man can forgive.

I agree. What about abandonment?? Respond to the terms Two living wives, living in adultery, and perpetual adultery.

 

[Chickenman1]

1 Timothy 3:1-10

A man needs to be tested first, to see if he knows how to rule his own house well. Jesus says if you are faithful in little, then you will be faithful in much. Being faithful is not only about staying with your wife. It is about learning how to love in your own home, ruling your own house in our Father's family caring and sharing way, so then you can be trusted to rule His church in His family caring and sharing way.

And a man who is successful in this has had his wife as his help-mate, to help him get the correction and maturing which has him so succeed. So, God has made her essential to him becoming qualified to be a pastor according to our Apostle Paul's standards in 1 Timothy 3:1-10.

But single and divorced people can help him . . . if they are qualified.

We need example families . . . not only lone people. It is like how Jesus left Heaven itself in order to go through things of this life, so that now Jesus our Groom can feel for us and help us with His grace which made Him so successful > Hebrews 4:15. We need people who have learned in marriage how to love and how to care for others in our Father's family caring and sharing way, with leadership by example >

"nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:3)

They go through the things of marriage so then they can help others with the grace of this . . . like how Jesus went through things so now He can feel for us and help us

His wife helps him to get the correction and maturity which he needs, by helping him to learn how to relate in marriage and how to bring up their children . . . so then they as a couple can pastor by example.

This is what I understand, from 1 Timothy 3:1-10

So, whether you can pastor as a divorced person could be a decoy issue away from what is much more needing of attention. It is not enough to stay with one's spouse. One needs to grow and mature in one's marriage, so then they together can help other couples, after they themselves have found out how to love and how to care for one another and their children.

There are ministers who manage churches, yet they have not first found out how to relate and share in their own marriages. And so they can break down and fall out.

As individuals they also need to learn to walk with Jesus so they stay in Christ's "rest for your souls" (in Matthew 11:28-30). So they need to become "blameless", also, not only staying with their wives. And in order to gain this they need to grow first in their own marriages and families, so they know how to love in various interpersonal situations in close sharing with others.

And then they can help single people, too.

Marriage in Christ is a research laboratory for making breakthrough discoveries in how to love in close involvement with another person. So, this is crucial in God's seminary.

Interesting observations.

 

[OwainK]

What if she divorced / left him? Is that okay?

Well you can't control women. If a woman leaves her husband, there's nothing you can do about it. It's her choice, not his. I don't think the pastor can be responsible for that. (Unless he did something bad to her to drive her to leave him).

But thats not really to do with the Church. Personal issues are separate from work issues. Noone is perfect.

 

[Albion]

FWIW, I did a little looking when I read the OP and found that there are Baptist conventions and congregations that do not bar a divorced pastor, although I had a hard time finding acceptance of remarriage for the same. Charles Stanley recently announced his own divorce and didn't blame his wife for it (from what I read)...and the congregation gave him a standing ovation, according to the news report, when he said he'd be willing to stay on as pastor.

 

[Chickenman1]

FWIW, I did a little looking when I read the OP and found that there are Baptist conventions and congregations that do not bar a divorced pastor, although I had a hard time finding acceptance of remarriage for the same. Charles Stanley recently announced his own divorce and didn't blame his wife for it (from what I read)...and the congregation gave him a standing ovation, according to the news report, when he said he'd be willing to stay on as pastor.

That is correct but Stanley has not remarried. In the deep south where I live, Divorced Baptist Pastors are about as rare as a Unicorn.

 

[Sam91]

If it wasn't his fault. If he tried to make it work then yes... as long as he stays unmarried while his wife is alive.

 

[com7fy8]

Interesting observations.

I appreciate your honorable way of responding. There are ones who would only accuse me of discriminating against divorced people, instead of gaining from what I am offering.

We can play the ball as it lies. Now any of us can use whatever has happened already in our lives. Paul says,

"Test all things; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

I now think this does not mean only to learn to tell the difference between good and evil.

But testing includes how we do well to test things which come against us > test them for how God is able to use them for His good . . . like Joseph did > Genesis 37-50. When people and things come to test us, enjoy testing them, with God for what is good.

We need divorced people who have learned how God has had them take care of their situations. And as we mature, we become more and more well-rounded so we can help anyone with anything > 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 < we can help anyone "in any trouble".

So, I would say get wise to any way in which you have yourself been wrong, get wise to any ways which helped you get a divorce, and enjoy discovering more and more how we Jesus people share as family.

And even though we have different sin and failure backgrounds, we all are aiming for the same result of becoming conformed to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29); so even if we might not be fully able to understand one another's problems, we all can help each other to become more like Christ and learn together how our Heavenly Father has us relating >

"with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love," (Ephesians 4:2)

"submitting to one another in the fear of God." (Ephesians 5:21)

If in our past relationships we were not being good examples of being submissive and humble and gentle and staying out of arguments, then we have helped to cause our past relationship problems . . . even if the other person was more obviously wrong.

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation" (in Philippians 2:14-16).

So, the aim is not only to stop the wrong stuff like "complaining and disputing". But we seek God for how You, LORD our Father, are able to make us stable in Your love and how Your love's nature (1 John 4:17-18) makes us "blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation".

So, if you have been divorced, can you become a pastor? What you can do is become "blameless and harmless" and "without fault" in God's love, so your example of this (1 Peter 5:3) can pastor people into this

And even though our Apostle Paul was not married, he did take care of God's people in our Father's family way >

2 Thessalonians 2:7 >

"But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children." (1 Thessalonians 2:7)

But notice that this scripture says "we". This is not Paul speaking alone, but others with him were relating in our Father's family way > 1 Thessalonians 1:1 says not only "Paul" but also "Silvanus, and Timothy". You can join with others who are caring like this for God's people.

Also, we have 1 Thessalonians 2:11 >

"as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children," (1 Thessalonians 2:11)

They > "we" > related as family with the Thessalonians, by being "as a nursing mother" but also "as a father". God's love is the same love living in our mommies as in our daddies. So, in God's love all of us have all His best of everything of how to relate as family.

And Paul and Silvanus and Timothy knew this.

So, with God we are not limited about what really matters which is in His love.

One thing which helps me is how they were like a father who "charges" his children. To me, now, this means not only to correct and punish and reward and charm and excite and entertain our children. It means charge them about what is really good, in loving, and charge them not to do what is harmful.

"Make sure you be kind to anyone and everyone."

"Make sure you are strong so you do not give in to weak stuff like arguing and fighting; be a good example to help others find out how to love."

It includes to challenge them how to love. One of our best and most worthwhile challenges is to find out how to love. But children can sidetrack themselves by seeking challenges which do not have them finding out how to love and share. So can adults.

And find out how to please God in His love's "incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (in 1 Peter 3:4)

Find out how to submit to God and how He personally rules us in His own peace > Colossians 3:15 < and do not give in to whatever would take us elsewhere

So, if this is God's word teaching us, we all have some homework to do; God bless you, too

 

[KWCrazy]

I agree. What about abandonment?? Respond to the terms Two living wives, living in adultery, and perpetual adultery.

I can't speak for Jesus, only repeat what He said.
I have some experience with abandonment and divorce, not by my choice.
I know that to be a deacon one must be the husband to one wife, so it's hard to imagine a preacher being welcomed by a church that wouldn't allow him to be a deacon.
That siad, the congregation decides. Ultimately, they are the body of the church.

 

[Chickenman1]

I am the Hus

I can't speak for Jesus, only repeat what He said.
I have some experience with abandonment and divorce, not by my choice.
I know that to be a deacon one must be the husband to one wife, so it's hard to imagine a preacher being welcomed by a church that wouldn't allow him to be a deacon.
That siad, the congregation decides. Ultimately, they are the body of the church.

I am the husband of one wife. The one I am married to now.

 

[DeaconDean]

Death, abandonment, adultery according to scripture are the only reasons for divorcement. However, divorce is a "last resort", an exception, not the standard.

Reconcilement should always be sought before any thoughts of divorce.

Even God said Himself that He had given Israel, and Judah too a bill of divorce:

"And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also." -Jer. 3:8 (KJV)

However, God always reconciled Himself back to Israel.

One only read Hosea to see this.

That being said, here in the South, "the husband of one wife" is interpreted widely.

Some argue that means the husband of one wife at a time.

Some argue that means one "living" wife at a time.

Given that Hosea shows us, no matter what happens, even in adultery, even in divorce, reconcilement is the first thing.

I am of the opinion that it does mean, one living wife at a time.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[alex2165]

You guys conveniently skipped these verses, take a close look at them, they have answer for all your questions.

Malachi 2.13-16

13.And this is another thing you do, you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.

14.Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the Lord has been a Witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have deal treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by Covenant.

15.But no one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one (Abraham), while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth.

16.*"I have hate divorce" (Deuteronomy 24.1-4), says the Lord, the GOD of Israel, "And him who covers his garment with wrong," says the Lord of hosts. So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.

(Verse 16. Marriage of Divorcee. (Jeremiah 3.1) (Malachi 2.13-16) (Matthew 5.31-32, 19.3-9-12) (Luke 16.18) (1Corinthians 7.1-10-17.25-39-40) (Romans 7.3)


Matthew 19.3-11

3.Some Pharisees came to Him and to test Him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?”

4.He answered, “Have you not read that the One Who made them at the beginning, made them male and female,"

5.and said, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?" (Genesis 2.24)

6.So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what GOD has joined together, let no one separate.”

7.They said to Him, “Why then Moses command us to give a Certificate of Dismissal and to divorce her?” (Deuteronomy 24.1-4) (Matthew 5.31, 19.3-7-8-12) (Mark 10.2-4-5-12)

8.He said to them, “It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

9.And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastely (unfaithfulness, adultery), and marries another, commits adultery.”

10.His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”

11.But He said to them, “Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given."



Luke 16.18

18."Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries a woman divorced from her husband, commits adultery."



Romans 7.1-3

1.Do you not know brothers and sisters, I am speaking to those who know the Law that the Law is biding on a person only during that person’s lifetime?

2.Thus a married woman is bound by the Law to her husband as long as he lives, but if her husband dies she is discharged from the Law concerning the husband.

3.*Accordingly she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that Law, and if she marries another man, she is not an adulteress.

1Corinthians 7.8-16.25-40

8.To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am.

9.But if they are not practicing self-control, they should marry. It is better to marry that to be aflame with passion.

10.To the married I give this command, not I but the Lord, that the wife should not separate from her husband,

11.but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband, and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

12.To the rest I say, I and not the Lord, that if any believers has a wife who is an unbeliever and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

13.And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.

14.The unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise you children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

15.But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so, in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that GOD has called you.

16.Wife, for all you know you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know you might save your wife.

25.Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy,

26.I think that in view of the impending crisis, it is well for you to remain as you are.

27.Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

28.But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a virgin marries, she does not sin. Yet those who marry will experience distress in this life, and I would spare you that.



29.I mean brothers and sisters the appointed time has grown short, from now on let even those who have wives be as though they had none,

30.and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions,

31.and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealing with it. The present form of this world is passing away.



32.I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord how to please the Lord,



33.but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife,



34.and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be holy in body and spirit, but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband.



35.I say this for your own benefit not to put any restrain upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.



36.If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his fiancée, if his passions are strong and so it has to be, let him marry.



37.But if someone stands firm in his resolve, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined in his own mind to keep her as his fiancée, he will not do well.



38.So then he who marries his fiancée does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do better.



39.A wife is bound as long as her husband lives. But if the husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord.

40.But in my judgment she is more blessed if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have a Spirit of GOD.



Hebrews 13.4

4.Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage be kept undefined, GOD will judge fornications and adulterers.

 

[now faith]

God Bless

 

[now faith]

God Bless

 

[now faith]

If our sins are forgiven from as far as east to west,and never to be brought against us again upon repentence,then why would the Church hold a divorce against You?
Using this logic if you stole something in your past you could never be trusted with the collection plate.
All men have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Why are some punished and some not?
A murderer can pastor but not a divorced man?
This needs some reasoning to be rightly understood.

 

[actionsub]

I was wondering if there are any Baptists out there who believe a Divorced Pastor can still pastor a church? Also how would you defend it scripturally? I have been divorced but I believe the text teaches A one woman man emphasizing faithfulness so I see no reason why a man that has been divorced can't pastor. I know that there are many out there who believe as I do and can articulate the position well. I was just wanting to get some feedback from both sides of the issue.

The American Baptist Churches USA allow divorcees to serve as pastors, as do General Baptists (a mainly midwestern group) on a case-by-case basis, generally.

 

[actionsub]

FWIW, I did a little looking when I read the OP and found that there are Baptist conventions and congregations that do not bar a divorced pastor, although I had a hard time finding acceptance of remarriage for the same. Charles Stanley recently announced his own divorce and didn't blame his wife for it (from what I read)...and the congregation gave him a standing ovation, according to the news report, when he said he'd be willing to stay on as pastor.

True, but it caused a schism in his own family. Andy Stanley left FBC Atlanta to start his own church because of his father's refusal to step down.