Expert: Dr. Billy Kryger - 1/7/2008

Question
thank-you for your time. I am divorced and re-married to a wonderful gal,have been saved for three years and love to read and learn from the KJ Bible.My question is why can someone who was a drug dealer, a drunk,or even been to jail serve as a deacon or even a pastor ? Yes maybe they were not saved at the time but as a divorced person neither was I saved when I was Divorced. This is a question I was asked and I have no way of answering it other then the bible states that a man is to be the husband to one wife, but at the time of my divorce I did not believe in God.....

Answer
John:
    Thank you for your question.  It is one that has been asked for generations.  I've been asked this same question many times.
    The truth is, you gave the "pat answer" in your question.  Among the qualifications for Pastors and Deacons is that they be "the husband of one wife".  The contention lies in the interpretation of that statement:  does it mean "one wife at a time" or "one wife since salvation" or "one wife continually and forever" or "one wife right now"...  I believe that if you look at the other qualifications given in 1 Timothy 3 and other places--"blameless" (not sinless, but above reproach), "ruling his own house well"--a divorced man, in my humble opinion, whether the divorce was before or after his salvation,  does not meet these qualifications.  The fact is, John, although we may put our sins under the blood of Christ and receive unconditional pardon from the Lord (and from our Brothers and Sisters in Christ if they're fulfilling their responsibility) we still must face the ramifications and consequences of our choices.  I would not make an embezzler my church treasurer, not would I put a convicted petofile in charge of my children's ministry--even if they did those things before they were saved.
    That being said, divorce is not the "unpardonable sin" and a divorced person is not disqualified from doing a work for the Lord.  I know a number of divorced men and women--some in the church I Pastor--who have tremendous ministries that I could never have.
    I hope this helps, John, even if you disagree.  Believe me, I understand your frustration because I have dealt with this issue with family and friends.