Every great once in a while I open up my inbox and find myself surprised by a question. It’s always a pleasant surprise and a great honor when anyone comes to me with a question.
Just last night a friend of mine on Facebook took the time to ask me a very good question: Can a preacher be divorced?
I’m going to share with you the very same response that I shared with her. Enjoy.
Dear Ms. Davis,
You asked, “Can a preacher be divorced?” A better question would be, Can someone who has divorced be a preacher?
First, everything you need to know about divorce can be found in just one, single verse in the Bible: Malachi 2:16: “For I hate divorce!” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”
God absolutely hates divorce. There’s no question about that! As a matter of fact God hates all sin!
As a matter of fact, lets take that very same rephrased question and substitute a word or two. Shall we?
Can someone who has murdered be a preacher?
Can someone who has lied be a preacher?
Can someone who has gossiped be a preacher?
Can someone who has been a glutton be a preacher?
Can someone who has been a thief be a preacher?
Can someone who has cursed be a preacher?
Can someone who has been a blasphemer be a preacher?
Can someone who has gambled be a preacher?
Can someone who has been an alcoholic be a preacher?
Can someone who has committed adultery be a preacher?
Can someone who has failed to honor their mother and father be a preacher?
Can someone who has borne false witness be a preacher?
Can someone who was an atheist be a preacher?
Can someone who has not observed the Sabbath be a preacher?
Can someone who has ever worshiped anything other than God be a preacher?
Can someone who has loved themselves more than their neighbor be a preacher?
Can someone who has ever used the Lord’s name in vain be a preacher?
Can someone who has coveted be a preacher?
Can someone who was a homosexual be a preacher?
Can someone who has divorced be a preacher?
I could keep going, Ms. Davis, but I’m not. There are plenty of sins that we could talk about and plenty of sins that we could cover. At the end of the day, we’ll still come to the same conclusion:
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10).
The point is, Ms. Davis, God doesn’t call those who have been righteous to preach. He calls men and women who have been sinners to preach. If living a perfect, clean, spotless life was a requirement to be a preacher then there wouldn’t be any preachers.
As a matter of fact, we’re all called to fulfill the great commission of Christ: To make disciples of all nations. No one who is a believer in Christ is exempt from this call.
And like it or not, our lives may be the only Bible that someone may ever read. How we live our lives and how we conduct ourselves preaches Christ Jesus to them. Unbelievers are watching us and listening to us, just the same as you are watching and listening to your pastor at church. Our lives are a sermon! That makes every single one of us preachers.
So it doesn’t matter what your background is: God still wants to use you. He’s not limited by it. He’s not bothered by it. You’ve already turned from your sin. You’ve already repented of it. Christ’s blood has already covered it. It’s been forgiven. God’s grace is greater than whatever your sin was. It’s now a part of your testimony. He’s going to use it for his glory. It doesn’t matter to him. Do NOT let your past stop you from doing what God has called you to do. Do NOT let any man restrict you because of your past.
Do what God has called you to do. Go! Preach! And make disciples.
How would you have answered the question? Please leave a comment below with your answer.
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I get where you are coming from. I agree that God calls all men and women to share the word and to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation (Mark 16:15). I agree that God will use any man or women (even an unbeliever). I agree that we should do what God calls us to do. Amen to all of that.
I will add that this – divorce – is such a sensitive topic and a much debated one. And while I agree that a sin is a sin, I wonder if Ms. Davis is talking about a current preacher/teacher thinking about divorce, or recently divorced. If that is the case, I am not sure I agree wholeheartedly with what you said. If a preacher/teacher is thinking of getting divorced or has become divorced, I immediately go to the following verses
2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (Think of this in context to Matthew 5:32 and 19:9 as well as the fact that God hates divorce – Malachi 2:16)
And more specifically, look to James 3:1 where the bible speaks directly regarding teachers – it lays out that teachers are held to a higher standard. That doesn’t say they can’t be Disciples of Christ, but to hold a position of teacher is, according to the bible, judged by a higher standards and that person is looked at with greater scrutiny.
Lastly, we must recognize that leadership in the church cannot be taken lightly. Sure a divorced preacher/teacher should be accepted back into fellowship, but the first requirement of a church leader is that s/he be above reproach (1 Timothy 3:2, 10; Titus 1:7). That is a difficult prerequisite (and rightly so), and not everyone can meet that requirement (again rightly so).
Take care.
Thank you for taking the time to read my article, Michael. And thank you for taking the time to leave your thoughts! All excellent points, I might add!
This article just covers preaching in general. It doesn’t cover the specific offices or positions in the church that one might have.
Later in my discussion w/ Mrs. Davis (that I didn’t not publish) we did get into some specifics, which I did go in detail with her many of the points you made above.
You’re absolutely right, Michael! God is going to hold us teachers & preachers to a higher standard when it comes time for judgment. We need to hold each other to a higher standard right NOW!
If a teacher/preacher/pastor/elder/deacon is thinking about getting a divorce or is in the process of getting a divorce I would suggest that they be removed from ministry immediately. During that time they need to do everything within their power to restore, redeem, & repair their marriage & their family.
As for a teacher/preacher/pastor who has been divorced & is looking to be restored back into the ministry: That’s a job that’s best left to the elders & deacons to decide on how & when to restore them back into the ministry, if at all.
Really really enjoyed reading that article Eric. You have a great way of showig perspective. Even to us folks up here in prairieland Canada 😉
Mandy,
Thanks for reading! I’m glad you enjoyed the article! And as always, your chegue is in the mail! (That’s how you spell “check” in Canada, right???”) 😉