Category Archives: Personal

The Dreaded “D” Word in Ministry

The Dreaded “D” Word in MinistryCan I lead a ministry being divorced?

I understand you may not fully agree with me and that’s okay. But let me be very honest, share my heart, and a few personal experiences.

I am a believer in Jesus Christ and have been since the age of ten. I am a God called preacher and have been since my late teenage years. I have been involved in ministry leadership much of my adult life including pastoring for many of those years.

For the past seven months I have preached most all of the Sunday morning services at our home church near Hammond, LA. It has been an amazing opportunity for which I am thankful and humbled. My intentions for the past several years was for Heather and I to start a new ministry in another community near our home. We actually had a few planning meetings in that home exploring our many options. My father’s terminal illness and two floods put all of it on hold. We continued to attend and serve in our home church when circumstances developed that allowed me to do some supply preaching and later step into a more active preaching role. To be honest that ministry and its people have captured my heart. I cannot preach to such a loving group for that amount of time and not be moved deeply for them. I have prayed for them, served them, cried over them, hurt in my heart for them, and availed myself to the God of Heaven trying my best to be led of the Spirit as I have preached and taught the Word of God. I know in my heart and spirit, because of the timing and other circumstances, that God is involved, He is doing a work, and I am loving it.

My life isn’t perfect. I am a sinner and I have failed the Lord more times than I would care to admit. I do try to live my life daily for the Lord and with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit. I am so glad my salvation isn’t based on what I do but on what Christ did at Calvary. I do not say this as an excuse. According to the Bible it is the truth for all of us. 

My wife and I have both been through a divorce. That experience has forever affected us. It also affects daily our love for one another, our view of life, our convictions, our determination, our goals, our handling of others, our view of ministry, and so much more. We know first hand what it is like to have the dreaded “D” word plastered across our foreheads because we experienced many hurtful things from hypocritical folks who really had no direct knowledge or involvement with us, our families, and the circumstances in which we found ourselves. To be honest it really wasn’t any of their business. In our greatest time of hurt and need we remember well those who judged and spoke unkind things about us and those who loved and prayed for us in spite of the circumstances. We have some amazing God sent experiences and memories from some precious saints of God who were there for us, loved on us, and encouraged us when we needed it most. Some of these individuals were involved in national ministries and yet they took time to be a blessing. Much was learned by those experiences. They have helped us have a better understanding and compassion for others, especially in ministry. God has been so good and has greatly blessed our lives, our marriage, our family, our businesses, and our continued involvement in ministry.

Some believe divorce disqualifies a person completely from serving in a church leadership role. The passages used for this belief are those dealing with the character qualities of a pastor found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. The phrase “husband of one wife” is the foundation for this belief. I have never embraced this idea because this phrase is not a reference to divorce but to a man’s present character and faithfulness in reference to his wife. The literal translation refers to a pastor as being a one woman man or being faithfully devoted to his wife. I am fully aware that divorce and marriage can play a major factor in a person’s ministry. But to take this one wife meaning would also mean a man could not pastor without being married first (some believe this to be the case) and he would have to stop pastoring if his wife died or left and he remarried a second time (it’s silly but he would no longer be the husband of one wife – some also have this belief). To be disqualified for life for a failure in marriage no matter the reason simple goes against the principles of forgiveness, mercy, and grace found in God’s Word. However, as a character issue, a man would be most certainly disqualified if he is a womanizer.

Years ago I studied these passages in depth because of knowing several men personally who had experienced divorce and who were successful pastors. Recently I renewed my study because of my own situation and the desire to do things properly and according to God’s Word. I have also sought advice from several men involved in ministry and while some believe having a divorce will be an issue it is a man’s call and character that matters most. My view of these key verses has not changed.

It is not my intent to debate or offend with my view. I am simply expressing my heart, my view of scripture, and where I am coming from in my own life and current situation. The Lord continues to burden my heart for ministry. He also continues to give me opportunities to preach, lead, and be involved in ministry. I simply desire to be obedient to His call on my life.

Dr. John MacArthur is a highly respected Pastor and Bible teacher. He leads Grace Community Church, Master’s University, Master’s Theological Seminary, and the international ministry called Grace To You. He has authored and edited over 150 books. The following information is from the MacArthur Bible Commentary.

Husband of one wife. Lit. in Greek a “one-woman man.” This says nothing about marriage or divorce. The issue is not the elder’s marital status, but his moral and sexual purity. This qualification heads the list, because it is in this area that leaders are most prone to fail. Various interpretations of this qualification have been offered. Some see it as a prohibition against polygamy. An unnecessary injunction since polygamy was not common in Roman society and clearly forbidden by Scripture (Gen 2:24), the teaching of Jesus (Mat 19:5-6; Mar 10:6-9), and Paul (Eph 5:31). A polygamist could not even have been a church member, let alone a church leader. Others see this requirement as barring those who remarried after the death of their wives.
But, as already noted, the issue is sexual purity, not marital status. Further, the Bible encourages remarriage after widowhood (1Ti 5:14; 1Co 7:39). Some believe that Paul here excludes divorced men from church leadership. That again ignores the fact that this qualification does not deal with marital status. Nor does the Bible prohibit all remarriage after divorce (see notes on Mat 5:31-32; Mat 19:9; 1Co 7:15). Finally, some think that this requirement excludes single men from church leadership. But if that were Paul’s intent, he would have disqualified himself (1Co 7:8). A “one-woman man” is one totally devoted to his wife, maintaining singular devotion, affection, and sexual purity in both thought and deed. To violate this is to forfeit blamelessness and no longer be “above reproach” (Tit 1:6-7). Cf. Pro 6:32-33.

1 Corinthians 13:1-7  “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. [2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. [3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor , and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. [4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, [5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; [6] Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; [7] Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

Love is an important and powerful thing.  Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians covers many topics but at the heart of them all rings the message of genuine love.  An example and description are given in these verses of that love.
Communicating LOVE is more important than HOW YOU SPEAK.
Showing LOVE is more important than WHAT YOU KNOW.
Giving LOVE is more important than WHAT YOU GIVE.
Communicating, gaining and sharing knowledge, and giving are all important elements in the Christian life.  We should do our best in each of them.  The emphasis in these verses however is not these abilities but the love one should possess and share when exercising them. Without love these elements are vain, empty, and meaningless.  Genuine love can be seen, heard, and felt.  For example, if one could speak with the tongues of men and of angels how is it that they sound like sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal?  These two phrases imply, no matter how skilled, polished, or elequent the speaker, the words spoken are empty and without true heartfelt meaning.  Have you ever had that experience with a speaker or someone talking to you?  On the other hand, have you heard someone who maybe wasn’t all that skilled in word usage but their love and caring spirit spoke to your heart in spite of the words used or how they were spoken.  That is what communicating love is all about.  This kind of genuine love cannot be taught.  It is a part of ones life and everything that person says or does.  You can see it, hear it, and feel it.  The same applies to what we know, our abilities, and our giving.  Without genuine love these have no true or lasting meaning.

In Context

I believe the best way to understand the Bible is to study it in context with much prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit our teacher.
  • Context defined:
    • The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.
    • the parts of something written or spoken that immediately precede and follow a word or passage and clarify its meaning.

In other words, understanding a word, verse, or passage in scripture requires us to view it in light of the verses around it.

A proper understanding of the scriptures also requires one to ask and answer the following five common sense questions. These questions should be applied to every verse or passage one studies.
  • Common Sense Questions:
    1. Who is speaking or writing?
    2. To whom or about whom is he speaking or writing?
    3. About what subject is he speaking or writing?
    4. When or about what time is he speaking or writing?
    5. What is the occasion for the speaking or writing?
Many fail in a proper understanding of scripture because they take passages completely out of context.  This can lead to false doctrine and the embracing of ideas God never intended.  Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  The words “rightly dividing” come from a compound Greek word meaning to dissect correctly.  The idea is to carefully take apart the word of God and examine those parts (word by word) in light of the whole.  The word “study” means to be deligent.  Being deligent means having or showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties.  Our study of God’s Word is important.  We must be careful as we consider it’s meaning, principles, and truths.  What a tragidy to miss out on those truths; but what a blessing when we behold the Bible’s precious treasure.

Loving God with all my Mind

Mark 12:29-30 “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is , Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: [30] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

God has bless mankind with a mind and the amazing ability to think, learn, imagine, create, and remember.   We live in an age where information of every sort is available within seconds.  There seems to be no limit to what we can gain in the way of knowledge whether it is good or bad, right or wrong, true or false.  The believer understands that God is the source of all truth, genuine knowledge, and wisdom (John 17:17; Psalm 33:4; Poverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10).  He created our mind with all it’s abilities.  For us to live life where God is not a part of our thinking, learning, imaginations, and memories is unimaginable.  A life lived without the precious knowledge of a loving, caring, and saving God is truly a terrible thing.  Loving God with all our minds recognizes and honors the God who created and gave us this precious gift. What a blessing it is to know Him and ponder His greatness!

Loving God with all my Soul

Mark 12:29-30 “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: [30] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

 
There is only one true God.  He is the creator of all life, including ours, and everything good we know.  As such, He is worthy of our complete affection and devotion.  Jesus taught this in Mark 12:29-30.  The first commandment of all is to recognize this one true God and love Him “…with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.”  The soul is that part of mankind that identifies who we are: our life, personality, our core self.  Loving God with all our soul means we acknowledge, appreciate, and are devoted to the one who gives us life.  We recognize that we are nothing without Him and our existence is all because of Him.  Many live life without ever recognizing our great Creator.  Some despise or even hate the mere mention of His name (Romans 1:21).  Our view of God will affect every area of life including how we respond to Him, live our lives, and treat others.  It would be selfish and ungrateful of us not to express love, appreciation, honor, and devotion to Him having understood that He is the source of life, wisdom, and all blessings.  What place in our life do we give to the one who gave us life?

Why the Philippines?

Why the Philippines?

As long as I can remember, I have had a heart for Missions and Missionaries.  I have had the privilege of hosting several missionaries from around the world and taking several mission trips including trips to Canada, Mexico, and the Philippines.  For whatever reason God has given me a special burden for the Philippines.  They are a precious people and God is using them in some amazing ways in their own country and all around the world.  I am humbled by what I have seen in their land and among their people.  Their spirit, faith, and service are an inspiration.

It is my desire to help and be an encouragement to those serving our Lord around the world, but especially in the Philippines – missionaries, preachers, church planting, and ministry projects. Raising awareness and funds, providing resources and encouragement, and networking with people to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to affect lives, families, and communities for God’s glory.

That Time Of Year…

This is that time of the year that I find myself reflecting upon the many areas of my life. Family, relationships, work, ministry, spiritual goals, and personal goals are all likely targets of this process. nbsp;It has been an amazing year. I am truly thankful to the Lord for His blessings. nbsp;I look forward to sharing some of these reflective in the days ahead.