Divorce in the church

[TRFrance]

Originally Posted by Esther

It is sad that the church now has such a high divorce rate.

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

The hard thing is the divorce rate is the same in the church as out of the church. Why?

I've heard that statistic, but I strongly doubt it that its accurate, at least as far as Acts 2:38 saints are concerned. That statistic seems to be based on all people who identify themselves as "Christians", or active churchgoers, not Apostolic saints per se.

So since all the polls/surveys on this are mainly dealing with Baptists, Evangelicals, Methodists, etc., that will definitely skew the numbers, but we in the Apostolic church cant look at the published "divorce rate among Christians" as really being accurate for the Apostolic church. As far as I know,theres never been a true poll or survey of the divorce rate among Apostolics. But I'd say the rate is very low. If I had to take a best guess, I'd say probably in the 5-8% range or so, just from what I've observed over the years. (I'm sure some of the Apostolic pastors here can give us a more accurate estimate.)

[Revelationist]

The answer is yes... but...
God divorced the Old Covenant Church.....
Why don't they treat Him harsh?
Wait, that same group does...
Because we are the temple of God
And when you treat another temple harsh
Your treating God harsh...

[DividedThigh]

Originally Posted by Bro. Jason

I believe that divorce is a wide sin but Christians seem to misplace their feelings on it. Especially in the Apostolic / Holiness movement. We seem to hold down the wounded like Brother Price said. It's sad and again a huge trial that many people in this world face. Just like all sins Jesus can wipe that clean. Wash it in the blood of Jesus and it comes out white as snow.

the fact is in the church bros and sisters that we do not only hold down the wounded but we beat them while they are down, i know about this from personal experience, innocent and not so innocent, there is an unspoken wall that if you are divorced there has to be something wrong with you, not an opinion, verifiable fact, dt

[Pragmatist]

Originally Posted by TRFrance

I've heard that statistic, but I strongly doubt it that its accurate, at least as far as Acts 2:38 saints are concerned. That statistic seems to be based on all people who identify themselves as "Christians", or active churchgoers, not Apostolic saints per se.

So since all the polls/surveys on this are mainly dealing with Baptists, Evangelicals, Methodists, etc., that will definitely skew the numbers, but we in the Apostolic church cant look at the published "divorce rate among Christians" as really being accurate for the Apostolic church. As far as I know,theres never been a true poll or survey of the divorce rate among Apostolics. But I'd say the rate is very low. If I had to take a best guess, I'd say probably in the 5-8% range or so, just from what I've observed over the years. (I'm sure some of the Apostolic pastors here can give us a more accurate estimate.)

I wish your best guess were true, but sadly I think it's more accurate to say the Apostolic rate is not much different from the world.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Pragmatist

I wish your best guess were true, but sadly I think it's more accurate to say the Apostolic rate is not much different from the world.

that is what I have head.

[Trouvere]

Wow this is a sore subject.I posted this earlier today on my way to dropping my daughter at school.
I came to God after having been divorced.I was married at seventeen right out of high school and divorced by the time I was twenty one.I was twenty two when someone invited me to a Pentecostal Church service and engaged at the time to a backslider.He always regretted taking me to church because I broke off the engagement to find Gods will.It was an issue when God called me to ministry whether a person who had been divorced before they were saved could be a minister.Thankfully the LaDist UPC board never held it against me.I do know of pastors who will not even allow anyone who has been divorced to teach anything or even sing in the church.They are eternally punished.Its a sad thing.One sister told me that when she came to God the only thing she was allowed to do regardless that her divorce was before salvation was to teach children or sinners.She said the children must have been regarded on the same level as sinners since they did not count.
I was shocked at that.There are people coming to Jesus now that have been married four or five times.Which stone do we throw? It seems like the pharaseeical spirit is very alive and well.I have to wonder.
One church organization will license its ministers if they were married and divorced and remarried before coming to Jesus but if they come to God divorced then they
cannot have been married again if they want to minister.To me that is holding a double standard.They are saying if you want to be a preacher prepare to be alone all the days of your life and watch the rest of us have joy while you suffer forever you horrible sinner.I see a whip involved in this not a cross.

[DividedThigh]

Originally Posted by Trouvere

Wow this is a sore subject.I posted this earlier today on my way to dropping my daughter at school.
I came to God after having been divorced.I was married at seventeen right out of high school and divorced by the time I was twenty one.I was twenty two when someone invited me to a Pentecostal Church service and engaged at the time to a backslider.He always regretted taking me to church because I broke off the engagement to find Gods will.It was an issue when God called me to ministry whether a person who had been divorced before they were saved could be a minister.Thankfully the LaDist UPC board never held it against me.I do know of pastors who will not even allow anyone who has been divorced to teach anything or even sing in the church.They are eternally punished.Its a sad thing.One sister told me that when she came to God the only thing she was allowed to do regardless that her divorce was before salvation was to teach children or sinners.She said the children must have been regarded on the same level as sinners since they did not count.
I was shocked at that.There are people coming to Jesus now that have been married four or five times.Which stone do we throw? It seems like the pharaseeical spirit is very alive and well.I have to wonder.
One church organization will license its ministers if they were married and divorced and remarried before coming to Jesus but if they come to God divorced then they
cannot have been married again if they want to minister.To me that is holding a double standard.They are saying if you want to be a preacher prepare to be alone all the days of your life and watch the rest of us have joy while you suffer forever you horrible sinner.I see a whip involved in this not a cross.

wonder no longer sister that spirit is out there and very much alive still hurting people, to bad, people that are hurt need help and compassion not condemnation, bless you and merry christmas, dt

[marthaolivia]

My husband left me soon after I began going to church. We are now divorced. Once divorced I was no longer included in most of the social activities. I just don't fit. I am not included in the couples dinners, Valentine banquets, family get-togethers, etc. I am too old for the singles group, but at 65 I can't imagine going tubing. *smiles* I guess I am just too busy "cramming for my finals" to let insignificant things bother me. I've learned to be content no matter what..

[DividedThigh]

Originally Posted by marthaolivia

My husband left me soon after I began going to church. We are now divorced. Once divorced I was no longer included in most of the social activities. I just don't fit. I am not included in the couples dinners, Valentine banquets, family get-togethers, etc. I am too old for the singles group, but at 65 I can't imagine going tubing. *smiles* I guess I am just too busy "cramming for my finals" to let insignificant things bother me. I've learned to be content no matter what..

good job sis, what a great spirit, the lord be with you and richly bless you, with his love and warmth this holiday, merry christmas, dt

[AmazingGrace]

I have seen both views hit on but I want to say that my church was so wonderful to me when my divorce happened... it was very hard and very public as he was the music director there. It tore me up yet the church people were so wonderful...