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NASB | 1 Timothy 3:2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 3:2 Now an overseer must be blameless and beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, |
Subject: A divorced pastor in ministry? |
Bible Note: Dear Raul, Greetings in Jesus' name! Thank you for this list! I would place my name among this august group. (but THEY are not above anyone either, right? :-)) Seriously, I agree with your point, but cannot help adding my two yen: We cannot think accept divorce *lightly* either! We DO live in an age of excessive 'self-forgiveness!' Divorce IS a bit easier than it should be, even in the church. God *abhors* divorce, so we must make sure that we do not 'allow' it, but only accept it as Jesus might. If a minister has a situation such that his wife commits adultery and leaves him, we cannot simply say that it is ALL her fault, and that he is a 'victim,' therefore blameless. His repentence is not something that happens overnight, and he is free to preach, teach and get remarried next week! Unfortunately, this is the attitude of some. I think that 'stepping down' for an appropriate time is required, and the 'fruit of repentence' must be made evident to all. Indeed, this 'requirement' is not just for the minister, but for all who name Jesus as Savior. Grace abounds, YES! But (sadly), so does licentious behavior in the church! To some degree, there must be a 'deterrent' factor toward sin in the church. We must have a different standard than the world, and all must know. I have spoken with Christians that claimed they 'didn't know' that premarital sex, extramarital sex, abortion, etc. were not allowed by God! The church, fellowship, or para-church ministry they attended only taught that 'God will always love you, no matter what you do.' This makes nice 'comtemporary worship music,' but is lousy theology! Well, I guess the meter on my two yen is expired! :-) In Christ Jesus, charis |