~ A place to find answers to gnawing spiritual questions ~
Question: Can a pastor who has suffered divorce continue in God's calling on his life?Answer:
The matter of divorce is discussed in the Bible quite extensively. It is sure that God hates it! (Malachi 2:16 ) It sometimes, however can't be avoided. If one partner in a marriage decides to separate and desires a divorce, the other partner is not always to blame. Paul said; But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. (1Corinthians 7:15) A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. This is reference to an unbelieving spouse. A Pastor may find himself eventually living with an unbelieving wife who has turned to loving another man. This would be heart breaking for sure.
It must be understood however, that this does not give the "innocent" party a right to get remarried. Nowhere in I Corinthians does Paul give "license" for the innocent party to get remarried if their partner abandons them. He gives two choices; be reconciled or remain single. The phrase, "are not under bondage" is dealing with remaining in an abusive or intolerable relationship with one's partner; it does not mean that they are 'free' to remarry.
I say all this to say that if a wife would abandon her husband who is a Pastor, who has not aided in causing the separation, then it is my belief that he can continue to preach the gospel. He must remain single until his spouse dies. This is according to Romans 7:1-5. There have been numbers of minister who have had their spouses leave them and continued to preach the gospel. They never agreed to the divorce, but their spouse abandoning them did not disqualify them.
A good book that may help on the matter of divorce is by Carl Laney, entitled "The Divorce Myth" God bless you!
