Expert: Scott Talbot - 10/13/2009

Question
Hi Scott,

I have another question for you. I appreciate your answer on the other topic, it was great to get your view on that subject. I should have posted this as a follow-up however this is a different topic.

I have been involved in my church and have been asked by the pastor to be involved in different church activities/ministries. I enjoy getting involved with the church and doing what I can to help out.

Right now I work as an IT Admin for a big company, however I feel that this is not what I want to do for the rest of my life. Everyday I feel like I am getting pulled towards working for the church and at some point to become a pastor. Of course I would not move in that direction if God does not call me to do this.

The question: Considering I am divorced and later would like to be remarried, is it possible to even be involved in this type of work? I have read that if you were divorced/remarried that excludes you from becoming a leader in the church.

However some of the biggest preachers, evangelists have come from a background of drugs, alcohol, etc and they were saved and then went into full-time ministry, so why is it that divorce is bigger than any of those? Sin is sin no matter how you look at it.

Everyone refers to 1 Tim 3:
Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money (NIV)

It does say the husband of one wife, which can be interpreted in many ways, however it also says not a drunkard, self-controlled etc, so it seems to me as if someone has repented of sin, living a lifestyle to God then they could work in ministry.

Your thoughts?

Thanks,

Tim

Answer
Hi Tim,

It's great to hear that you have a passion for serving God and His people in the church.

You ask a good question. Are you disqualified because of the fact that you're divorced? The key passage is the one you referred to in I Timothy 3--specifically the verse that says an overseer must be "the husband of but one wife."

This is a bit controversial, but I'll share my view with you. In the original Greek text, the phrase, "husband of but one wife," literally says, "a one-woman man." The word, "andros," can mean either man or husband, and "gunaikos" can mean either woman or wife.

Look at the context. Every other qualification is a character trait. It has nothing to do with one's history or with things in the past that cannot be changed. They're character traits--things that make a man who he is today.

Suppose we interpreted the phrase in light of the context of character traits. What do you think "one-woman man" means? I believe it means that the overseer is a man who is devoted to one woman and one woman only. This does not mean he has to be married, but simply assumes that, generally, this is the case. It is not referring to divorce, remarriage, or even polygamy (as some interpret). No, I believe it means that, if he is involved in any kind of relationship with another woman--dating, married, whatever--that he is devoted solely to her. His thoughts do not wander, he is not a philanderer, he doesn't engage in fornication or adultery. It's part of his character.

The problem, Tim, is that not everyone sees things this way. While it's impossible to undo your past, you're correct in assuming that even the worst of sins can be forgiven and put in the past. (Look at the Apostle Paul. He was guilty of killing Christians, and yet God used Him as one of the most influential leaders of all Christian history.)

The issue of marriage, divorce, and re-marriage is somewhat controversial, and good people come down on different sides of the issue. And even those who are more understanding about this issue may still draw the line at one's serving as a pastor due to the I Timothy 3 passage.

So what I believe the Bible is saying is only part of the issue. I would say that you should pursue God's leading, if He is directing you down this path. Just know in advance that, in certain denominations and churches, you may run into some problems.

Scott