Christians, is it okay for a man who has been divorced and now married to become a Pastor of a Church?

Question

If not, why not?

Answer 1

I don't believe it has anything to do with whether you're married for the first time, the second time, or the fiftieth time.
I believe that it's whether that man/woman is following God's will for their life that makes them not only a legitimate pastor, but even an outstanding one! If the Lord has "called" you to be a pastor of this church (ie. He's opened all the right doors, and you haven't had to "force" them open yourself...you have gotten the approval from your spiritual mentors...you know in your heart of hearts that this is where you're absolutely meant to be), then do it and do it to the fullest!
Just remember...you can't be perfect, but you will definitely answer to Jesus for the way you lead this "flock" of people. So where you go, they will go. You are their highest example, below Jesus Himself.
Blessings to you if this IS your calling in life. I wish only the most committed followers to be a part of your church, and I pray that it will flourish with people who love Christ and are willing to follow Him to the death.

Answer 2

Of course. Noone is perfect!

Just to relate a story:
My friend was born to 16 year old parents, her mom raised her and her dad didn't meet her until she was 8. He was married and had 2 of his own kids. Then he got divorced (because his wife was cheating) and promised all of his children he was going to be the man he knew he was. He became a pastor (single-divorced-3 kids from 2 different women), a woman in his congregation fell in love with him and now they are married and just had a baby. He is an awesome person and lives an awesome life.

With God anything is possible.

Answer 3

Why would you ask this question from other Christians? There is only one you should truly answer to and it sounds as tho very much serious prayer is needed on you part. (Maybe go into the desert for 40 days and nights) y I would also advise to seek out strong pastors of other churches to truly discuss this matter with them and receive prayer from them. In addition, you fail to give information regarding your divorce... and scripturely, you understand where this stands. If it turns out you are not to be apastor, I am sure there are other areas within the church you can be of great benefit. This is between you and the Lord... do what He says.

Answer 4

It depends on the circumstances. If as a Christian leader already he decided to leave his wife and marry another, he would lose credibility in my eyes, even though he could be forgiven.
If his wife left him (not because of adultery on his part), and married someone else, then he finally married, I would have no problem with him being, or continuing to be, a pastor. (Although my advice would be that during the original crisis, if he were a pastor, he take a less visible position. But he shouldn't be punished for being an innocent victim.)
About the "innocent victim" I have heard it said that there are no innocent victims in divorce. The theory is that if he had been a perfect husband she wouldn't have wanted to leave him. Well, show me one perfect husband in the world, and I will think seriously about that argument. In the meantime I will continue to believe there are, at times, innocent victims even though they might be imperfect husbands or wives.

Answer 5

Not enough information...

pastor=shepherd=Greek - 'poimain'
bishop=overseer=Greek - 'episkopos'
elder=presbyter=Greek - 'presbuteros'

The New Testament seems to equate these three terms, that is, they refer to the same people. We see this most clearly in Acts 20 where Paul meets with the elders from Ephesus...

Ac 20:17 From Miletus, Paul sent for the elders of the church at Ephesus. 18 When they arrived, he spoke to them. “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,” he said. “From the first day I came into Asia Minor...28 “Keep watch over yourselves. Keep watch over all the believers. The Holy Spirit has made you leaders (overseers) over them. Be shepherds of God’s church. He bought it with his own blood...

All 3 word roots are in this context referring to the same group of church leaders.

The common use of "pastor" in modern churches referring to an evangelist or preacher is not in keeping with the use of the word in the New Testament. If we are truly following the scriptures, then a pastor may or may not be a paid evangelist and a preacher may or may not be a pastor or elder. They each have "jobs" to do in the local church.

We do not see anyone in scripture spoken of as THE pastor of some local church. In that case it is ALWAYS used in a plural form.

In instructing Timothy and Titus about their task of selecting leaders in local churches, Paul gives them guidelines for recognizing people that are suited for the work. In both he includes a phrase which literally translates "one woman man." The meaning of this phrase is married AND faithful.
Without some more information about the prior marriage, I can not determine if he is or was faithful. (A divorce in and of itself does not mean he was unfaithful and thus disqualified. To me, the fact that he chose to enter a marriage which failed makes me question whether he has the wisdom and judgment which the job requires.)

Answer 6

If God is for it, who am I to be against it. There are many lives fragmented by divorce, perhaps God can use an insider to minister especially to those people who need kindness not scorn in a divorce situation.

I've also heard different interpetations of including the idea that "husband of one wife" could have been meant as one wife at a time and against polyagmy at the time. Is that right. I dont know. But , sadly, I think much of what we believe is shaped by tradition rather than revelation,

Answer 7

It depends on the congregation, that particular church's statement of belief and actual church polity. Some congregations accept divorced-remarried men or women as spiritual leaders, others (sually the more conservative) do not. It seems to hindge on a church's particular interpretation of "husband of one wife" in 1 Tim 3 and Titus.First of all, the phrase “husband of one wife” has traditionally been interpreted to mean that a candidate must only have been married once in his life. This effectively excludes divorcees and widowers (or widows) who have remarried. However, many now believe that the real force of this phrase is on fidelity in marriage. Hence, a candidate should be “a one-woman man,” i.e., a husband who is faithful to one woman – his wife (if married). That the phrase definitely excludes polygamous and promiscuous persons, all agree.

Answer 8

Sure! Why not? God forgives. There are lots of Pastors out there who did a lot worse before they came to know God.
God hates divorce- not the divorced.
Be blessed.

Answer 9

I Timothy 3:2 would appear to suggest otherwise, however there are differences of opinion as to the meaning of the phrase "the husband of one wife."
I would think the matter would have to be resolved locally by the elders coming into agreement in the Spirit of God.

Answer 10

It is not for me to Judge. We all make mistakes. Some pastors have been divorced and remarried. So I don't have a problem with it.