Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 5/21/2008

Question
Hi Pastor,

Some time ago I asked you the question about whether or not a man who has been divorced and then remarried can become a pastor, and you said no.  But I have found out that in many Baptist Churches there are men who have been married twice, or even three times, who are working as pastors. In fact some Baptist churches even have female pastors.  So if I have been married more than once I can just go to one of these Baptist Churches and I'd have no problem becoming a minister.  Why is there this discrepancy among Baptist Churches?

Thanks

Answer
Hi Josh,

Thanks for this great question.

One of the Baptist distinctives is individual soul liberty.  Each person has the responsability to study and obey God's Word as he or she understands it.  There are no Popes or Bishops over the entire denomination.  Some wear the name baptist who do not hold to scriptural authority.  Just because they are baptist does not mean that we would agree with everything.

What is important is do you think that the Bible teaches against divorced men pastoring?  You will always find someone who embraces one error or another, but does the Bible condone it?  This is the question you must answer.  Yes you certainly could go to one of the more liberal churches if that is your desire.

I hope that this answers your question.

In Christ
Pastor Don