Why Are 50% Of Pastors Divorced & 70% Are Depressed

[Sparkey]

I have strong doubts about these 6 criteria.

Greetings Drew! Pardon as I probably won't give much of a reply here -- that's not because there is no respect in me for what you've said, but only because we're in Gen Talk and the whole point-counterpoint style of debate that I enjoy so much with you would bog this poor thread down.

But thank you for your thoughtful post. We've spoken of these things before. You probably know, but it deserves mentioning again, that I do not necessarily support the opinions of the articles that I quote. That's my own little Disclaimer and maybe I should make a "canned Footer" for my signature that states this, but really? You already know.

 

[Sparkey]

As for divorced...well, there is a verse about the pastor being a husband of one wife.

Indeed. I think that's Philippians 3.

Not sure that it states that Pastors who have been divorced are disqualified. Agreed that there are qualifiers attached to that Office, and "One Wife" is right. But it does not, for instance, state that a single man who is virgin and has never been married is automatically qualified or disqualified. Regarding 'divorce,' my thought goes to a man who may have been called later in life. So if we may see that the Lord can call a man out of sin and into a place of service and if he had been married? Then as the man responded to God, came then the trial and his wife choose to leave him. He didn't like it, but what could be done?

So there is reason for me to think that 'divorce' in-and-of-itself is not an automatic dis-qualifier or a declaration of his being necessarily unfit for service.

 

[evenifigoalone]

As for divorced...well, there is a verse about the pastor being a husband of one wife.

Indeed. I think that's Philippians 3.

Not sure that it states that Pastors who have been divorced are disqualified. Agreed that there are qualifiers attached to that Office, and "One Wife" is right. But it does not, for instance, state that a single man who is virgin and has never been married is automatically qualified or disqualified. Regarding 'divorce,' my thought goes to a man who may have been called later in life. So if we may see that the Lord can call a man out of sin and into a place of service and if he had been married? Then as the man responded to God, came then the trial and his wife choose to leave him. He didn't like it, but what could be done?

So there is reason for me to think that 'divorce' in-and-of-itself is not an automatic dis-qualifier or a declaration of his being necessarily unfit for service.

I agree. Just, divorce shouldn't be something that was done willingly, and it's a last resort.
My old pastor used to argue that in other places of Scripture God never recognized a married couple as truly separated when they were divorced, but then he said a lot of things I don't agree with. That said, IF what he said is truly the case, if they were divorced and didn't get remarried, then no problem, right?

I remember the pastor of that church like 15 years ago, when he left, and we got another pastor, he called saying he didn't like our choice of pastor because the man had been divorced and remarried.
That particular pastor left after a few years because he was in the Navy and had to move to somewhere new, but I don't think he was a bad pastor.

 

[Sparkey]

Quest? I agree with what you're saying. I also think that you've done well to tread carefully (to remove our sandals?) while walking on that ground because it does belong to the One who Knows Hearts. Sometimes we clomp around (well, I do) in my search for doctrine but in so doing, what if I were to uproot that which is precious in God's sight?

:shocked!

So, yes. I think you have the exact right of it.

Blessings, sis!

 

[Slider]

well..... Let me say something that is SURE to rile folks up: If God can get a divorce, so can Preachers!

(ohhhh.... Now I've done it!)

 

[evenifigoalone]

I get it...I think. xD

 

[Sparkey]

I get it...I think. xD

I thimk you do too. And if you don't? I trust God to make sure you do. It is so sweet to be His.

 

[Drew]

We've spoken of these things before. You probably know, but it deserves mentioning again, that I do not necessarily support the opinions of the articles that I quote. That's my own little Disclaimer and maybe I should make a "canned Footer" for my signature that states this, but really? You already know.

Fair enough. Thanks for the explanation.

 

[reba]

a person who is of the 'world' marries and divorces remarries or not THEN becomes a Christian is not the same as the pastor who divorces. Our churches have failed in holding the bar to the level of the scriptures..... also reasons for divorce matter... adultery , in my understanding of scripture frees the injured party from the bondage of marriage.

 

[evenifigoalone]

In the case I mentioned, the pastor had gotten divorced before he was a Christian (I think), and it was because adultery was involved.

 

[evenifigoalone]

well..... Let me say something that is SURE to rile folks up: If God can get a divorce, so can Preachers!

(ohhhh.... Now I've done it!)

Hmm...

So I'm thinking your referring to Israel and their tendency to idolatry/spiritual adultery, right?

So I just had an interesting thought that even in that case, God sure gave them a lot of chances before He "divorced". When it was clear they weren't going to stop, He turned to us gentiles.

 

[Sparkey]

So I just had an interesting thought that even in that case, God sure gave them a lot of chances before He "divorced". When it was clear they weren't going to stop, He turned to us gentiles.

... turned to Gentiles and brought them into the family by extending the invitation to the wedding of the Lamb of God to include 'them'. But we also see in that act that there is now no difference between Jew and Gentile and we know that God has also preserved hearts and keeps Promise made to even the earliest believers and they who Trust upon Him --even to the point that when they wondered, "What manner of thing is this?" while pondering how the Spirit of the Most High worked in them and in their lives, and it was shown to them that it was not for them (only) that such things happened but for us who would come later. That "us" is a picture that may be seen in a light that is shining brighter and brighter even as each of "us" is drawn closer.

Draw nigh unto the Lord and He shall draw nigh unto you.

 

[evenifigoalone]

So I just had an interesting thought that even in that case, God sure gave them a lot of chances before He "divorced". When it was clear they weren't going to stop, He turned to us gentiles.

... turned to Gentiles and brought them into the family by extending the invitation to the wedding of the Lamb of God to include 'them'. But we also see in that act that there is now no difference between Jew and Gentile and we know that God has also preserved hearts and keeps Promise made to even the earliest believers and they who Trust upon Him --even to the point that when they wondered, "What manner of thing is this?" while pondering how the Spirit of the Most High worked in them and in their lives, and it was shown to them that it was not for them (only) that such things happened but for us who would come later. That "us" is a picture that may be seen in a light that is shining brighter and brighter even as each of "us" is drawn closer.

Draw nigh unto the Lord and He shall draw nigh unto you.

No disagreement here.

 

[farouk]

I'd rather not get into this thread; some of the issues are very, very deepseated and can involve a huge amount of heartache and concerted determination among a body of local believers in seeking to follow through such an issue consistently from Scripture and in the fear of the Lord.

Just that I wanted to refer to Hosea, the faithful prophet whom God told to marry someone whose behavior fell far, far short of the divine purpose: this in itself was part of God's purpose for Hosea, in order that the prophet should be taught great, sustained patience, of the nature that God Himself wondrously shows to His people.

Probably I won't want to post further on the thread.

Blessings, my friends.

 

[Sparkey]

Just that I wanted to refer to Hosea,

Which brings us to Hosea 2:14-23 and a study of the terms, "Ish," "Ishi," "Baali," as well as "allure," "troth" and "betroth," n'est–ce pas?

 

[John 8:32]

Can pastors be divorced? Should a divorced man or woman be permitted to serve as a pastor?

Tit 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Tit 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

 

[chessman]

Why Are 50% Of Pastors Divorced & 70% Are Depressed

tim-from-pa kind of beat me to the punch line here with his post #3.

Because they are just worldly workers

<O:p</O:p
But I’ll still answer this question, “Why Are 50% Of Pastors Divorced & 70% Are Depressedâ€, with; Because 100% of them are human.
<O:p</O:p

I’d also point out that 100% of the “research†now conducted by the Barna Group is for the owner of the company’s profit (now David Kinnaman) and it’s in his self interest to produce “research†that highlights the impression of dire straits for the Christian community (and sensationalizes the situation for the media where possible), that in turn funds more research, that in turn creates more income, that in turn …
<O:p</O:p
I’d recommend more scholarly research sources.
<O:p</O:p
“Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites...and Other Lies You've Been Told: A Sociologist Shatters Myths From the Secular and Christian Mediaâ€

<O:p</O:p
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HB1BR4/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

<O:p</O:p
Not that divorce, depression, etc. isn’t a real problem for our pastors or that they do not need/deserve our prayers.<O:p</O:p

 

[George Muller]

Well, I came here to say this, but I see you said it.

For many years I thought about being a pastor. Then I realized I wouldn't want me to be my pastor. It's a special calling for a specially equipped person, that equipping being seen in their victory over sin.

Honestly, I'm of the belief now that pastors, those truly called and equipped for that position, are squeaky clean and distinguished from the rest of us struggling sheep. I have known a few (I've known lots more of the other). Not perfect, of course, but 'perfect' so to speak as to the successful dealings of their problems.

"2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate (that 'one wife' thing, I think), self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap." (1 Timothy 3:2-7 NIV)

Somewhere along the line we decided to not use this as the criteria for a pastor. And I would add the criteria of having been 'tested' to the list, which Paul says elsewhere, I think. An untested person who thinks they're qualified to do the job probably has a pride problem that will nip him later on.

I think that these scriptures have been taken apart from the gospel, that "appearance" has replaced men who walk in the Power of Gods Spirit.
Was Peter ''above reproach"? no! But the truth of who he was and Gods Spirit proved out.
Appearance is nothing, and these scriptures are not intended to promote a outward display of mans religion.
1Ti 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

I would say the problem is not that of appearance, but that most do not seem to have or hold the mystery of godliness. (which is spiritual)

I'm thinking along these lines:

"16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?" (Matthew 7: NASB)

It's about character--not perfection, but what characterizes the man. Without knowing the details I'd say we'd have to examine the pastor who's been divorced three times.

I read a stat somewhere that 55% of pastors have viewed porn in the last year, a slightly higher percentage than men not in the ministry. That's not encouraging to me. But it's not surprising, either. Don't get me wrong, I have lot's of compassion and sympathy for pastors. I think I understand the demands that ministry places on them. That's how I know I'm not supposed to a pastor.

I agree Jethro. Most are trying to put on a form of godliness but are not walking in the power of Gods Spirit.


22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 

[George Muller]

I think that these scriptures have been taken apart from the gospel, that "appearance" has replaced men who walk in the Power of Gods Spirit.

I see this as being part of the world.
The world has it's own idea of how we should appear to people and the church has taken these standards.
Pastors are required to dress a certain way, act a certain way, perform their duties a certain way, finish their sermons on time, etc...
I've seen pastors put on fake smiles each time they greet someone, then put their depressed, stressed face back on when they walk away.
I know this to be true.
Churches are businesses, they are run a certain way, and pastors are required to stay within the boundaries that have been set up.
In America, pastors go into debt just like everyone else and therefore hold onto their position so that they don't go broke.

And I could go on and on.

I feel sorry for them, but it's up to them to change.
Therefore, we should always pray for our pastors, even when we don't see a problem.

I agree allen, many are trying to walk in an outward appearance that has no life. No a man of God must be nothing but what Gods grace has made him. By the grace of God we are what we are, and Gods grace cannot fail.
The white-wash, of outward religion is nothing, those who walk before God alone and take no thought of men or mans opinion are the real servants of God.
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

 

[Comprehender]

I think that these scriptures have been taken apart from the gospel, that "appearance" has replaced men who walk in the Power of Gods Spirit.

I see this as being part of the world.
The world has it's own idea of how we should appear to people and the church has taken these standards.
Pastors are required to dress a certain way, act a certain way, perform their duties a certain way, finish their sermons on time, etc...
I've seen pastors put on fake smiles each time they greet someone, then put their depressed, stressed face back on when they walk away.
I know this to be true.
Churches are businesses, they are run a certain way, and pastors are required to stay within the boundaries that have been set up.
In America, pastors go into debt just like everyone else and therefore hold onto their position so that they don't go broke.

And I could go on and on.

I feel sorry for them, but it's up to them to change.
Therefore, we should always pray for our pastors, even when we don't see a problem.

I think you summed it up, generally.
Nobody's perfect, including pastors.
What is most stressful is putting on a face, which is why sometimes social functions can be stressful.

I feel for people who put themselves in positions like this.
No doubt, many started out with good intentions, but it's so easy to want to please others instead of being yourself - who God created you to be - imperfect.
IMO, the ideal church is run by members, & nobody is paid... the LDS church is a little like that locally - but they all report to the top "paid" leaders, who remind me of pharisees in their actions.