john63
titmouse
I thought I had found the perfect Church and I was ready to join them. They believe the exact same things as I do. Then the Pastor handed me a copy of the church's constitution and by laws. Article 2 Section R of the constitution reads as follows:
(R) Divorce and Marriage. We believe that God disaproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is Biblically regarded as adultery. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon. The church will not condone nor conduct any marriage cerimony that involves a divorced person. The church will marry only those individuals who are members in good standing with the church and are holding the ceremony at the church. (Mal. 2:14-17, Matt. 19:3-12, Rom. 7:1-3, 1 Tim 3:2-12, Titus 1:6)
I am a divorced, remarried, and divorced again person. What this is telling me (and I called the Pastor and he told me I was correct) is I have to remain single and celibate for the rest of my life. They also do not consider me as worthy as a biblically married person. I am not eligible to hold the office of pastor or deacon. This tells me that they do not consider me an equal.
(R) Divorce and Marriage. We believe that God disaproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is Biblically regarded as adultery. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon. The church will not condone nor conduct any marriage cerimony that involves a divorced person. The church will marry only those individuals who are members in good standing with the church and are holding the ceremony at the church. (Mal. 2:14-17, Matt. 19:3-12, Rom. 7:1-3, 1 Tim 3:2-12, Titus 1:6)
I am a divorced, remarried, and divorced again person. What this is telling me (and I called the Pastor and he told me I was correct) is I have to remain single and celibate for the rest of my life. They also do not consider me as worthy as a biblically married person. I am not eligible to hold the office of pastor or deacon. This tells me that they do not consider me an equal.