Featured Another Divorce thread

I'm a member of a very conservative SBC our bylaws are spelled out clearly about who is or isn't qualified to fill positions in the church and are backed by the accepted scriptures. They are very adamant that a man who has been divorced and remarried are not scripturally qualified to be a deacon. There are several men in our church who are very active in the church who have been divorced and remarried that are not deacons and are of like mind with the church that they are not qualified. They do however do more for the church than all of the deacons, and are respected by the church as a whole more than the deacon body. I say this to establish that we as a church have set our standard and are living by it, for the most part.

Here is my issue: About 10 months ago our pastor resigned and took a job in a different state. He left of his own free will and in good standing with the church. His brother was the music minister and followed suit shortly. We did a search for an interim pastor and music minister. filled the interim pastor position fairly easily, but the music minister was a little harder to fill. We interviewed only one man for that position and the majority of the music committee decided to hire him. I did not vote for him because he told us that he was divorced and remarried. If he didn't see a problem with that, why did he tell us. Anyhow, my position is that if our church has set the standard for deacons, then anyone that stands in the pulpit in a ministerial position should also be held to that standard. I was actually ridiculed by several people on the committee who asked if the piano player or custodian should resign because they were divorced. Earlier while looking for an interim pastor, there was a divorced person that we had interviewed. We didn't know he was divorced until the interview. When I voiced my opinion the head of the deacons made the statement that we shouldn't tell anyone outside the committee that we were considering a divorced man. My reply was "Then why are we considering him"? Anyhow, the head of the deacons was ridiculing me over the same position with the interim music guy. My position was and has always been that if the church set a standard for deacons then anyone with a position above the deacons should not be even considered if they wouldn't qualify for a lower position. The response was "Well, he's just leading the music". I don't see it that way. I see it as the leader of worship in our church. He spends as much time in the pulpit leading the church as the pastor, is called "Music Minister". He leads us in prayer, quotes scripture and has even filled in on Sunday and Wednesday nights in the pulpit, giving the message.


I just can't see that this as anything but a hypocritical decision on the part of our head deacon, who pushed for the hire.

We have hired a young pastor who will be in the pulpit for the first time on Christmas morning. I have considered my options and have decided that I will no longer be a member of this church if they decide to go against their principles and against scripture if they hire this unqualified person full time, which some have eluded to. It breaks my heart because I really love this church and the family that we have grown to love there.

I am contemplating my discussion with the new pastor and how long I should wait before I talk with him about the situation.

 

My standards would not change.

If a church decides to start making decisions that are scripturaly unsound. Then there are two choices: join them in their decision or not. I am to willing to compromise my understanding of scripture.

 

It is not

I think I made it clear. I agree with the standards of the church because they are based on scripture. I don't think the rest of the committee or the head deacon has been honest with the church body regarding this hire. I was on vacation out of state when it happened and have voiced my opinion to all who are aware. I'm not a pot stirrer at the church and will not try to cause problems, but will address it with the new pastor. Hopefully his leadership will help work the issue out.

 

I would agree with you from the point of view that these two men are doing 90% of the work that the deacon body should be doing while the ordained deacon body of the church is doing 10%. I didn't even know who most of them were until I went through a deacon study with them. I'm not sure even 1/2 of them attend on a regular basis.

One thing one of my old pastors used to say to me "You don't have to be a deacon to deak". I don't seek at title, I just do what I can when the Lord calls me to do it.

 

I really don't want to cause a stink in the church. When and how should I go about talking with our new pastor about this situation?