Divorced Deacons

[Shortandy]

My family and I have only been going to our church for 7 months now. Since we have been there it has come to our attention that our church has some real bagage on the divorced deacon issue. I am looking for some insight.

Can a man who has been divorced serve as a deacon in a church? I look forward to your thoughts.

 

[Maestroh]

Define

My family and I have only been going to our church for 7 months now. Since we have been there it has come to our attention that our church has some real bagage on the divorced deacon issue. I am looking for some insight.

Can a man who has been divorced serve as a deacon in a church? I look forward to your thoughts.

This is one of those issues where it all depends upon how one renders certain passages. That said......


8Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

The real question might be whether or not a divorced man fits those qualifications.

 

[Salty]

My family and I have only been going to our church for 7 months now. Since we have been there it has come to our attention that our church has some real bagage on the divorced deacon issue. I am looking for some insight.

Can a man who has been divorced serve as a deacon in a church? I look forward to your thoughts.

Timothy tells us that a deacon should be the husband of one wife. Now, does that mean divorce or bigamy? We like to say that the Bible says what it means. So if God would not allow divorced deacons, why did Paul not use the word divorced?

On the other hand a man should not be appointed a deacon, if he was recently divorced. There should be a time of healing and getting his life straighten out first (whether he was the dumper or dumpee)

As with all situations, each should be taken on a case by case basis.
Other situations might his availability (due to working hours) to be an effective deacon; finances; personality and ect.

Salty

 

[Allan]

Timothy tells us that a deacon should be the husband of one wife. Now, does that mean divorce or bigamy? We like to say that the Bible says what it means. So if God would not allow divorced deacons, why did Paul not use the word divorced?

On the other hand a man should not be appointed a deacon, if he was recently divorced. There should be a time of healing and getting his life straighten out first (whether he was the dumper or dumpee)

As with all situations, each should be taken on a case by case basis.
Other situations might his availability (due to working hours) to be an effective deacon; finances; personality and ect.

Salty

Here is an interesting thought then. Can a man be a deacon and be single?
The same question 'can' be asked of a pastor as well.

 

[Salty]

Here is an interesting thought then. Can a man be a deacon and be single?
The same question 'can' be asked of a pastor as well.

Excellent question. I had a friend at a church who would not permit him to be a deacon for years because he was single.

To take it a step further, how about a widower? He is no longer married?

 

[MNJacob]

A more precise translation is "one woman man".

Marriage isn't really mentioned.

 

[donnA]

My family and I have only been going to our church for 7 months now. Since we have been there it has come to our attention that our church has some real bagage on the divorced deacon issue. I am looking for some insight.

Can a man who has been divorced serve as a deacon in a church? I look forward to your thoughts.

Not in our church they can't.

 

[rbell]

Timothy tells us that a deacon should be the husband of one wife. Now, does that mean divorce or bigamy? We like to say that the Bible says what it means. So if God would not allow divorced deacons, why did Paul not use the word divorced?

On the other hand a man should not be appointed a deacon, if he was recently divorced. There should be a time of healing and getting his life straighten out first (whether he was the dumper or dumpee)

As with all situations, each should be taken on a case by case basis.
Other situations might his availability (due to working hours) to be an effective deacon; finances; personality and ect.

Salty

Well said.

This is our policy as well.

 

[Cutter]

Can a man who has been divorced serve as a deacon in a church? I look forward to your thoughts.

No, they cannot.

 

[Tom Butler]

In my church, probably not, but in my memory, we've not been faced with answering that question.

Divorce is less of a problem in my mind than his re-marriage.

I was widowed in 1991, and my church allowed me to remain a deacon. In fact, the subject never came up.

And a slight wrinke in the OP. Can a man be a deacon who is married to a woman with a living ex-husband? In my church, he can.

 

[Maestroh]

May I Ask A Stupid Question of the Board?

My family and I have only been going to our church for 7 months now. Since we have been there it has come to our attention that our church has some real bagage on the divorced deacon issue. I am looking for some insight.

Can a man who has been divorced serve as a deacon in a church? I look forward to your thoughts.

Where does the passage say that a deacon is to be a 'one woman man?' I know it says that about the bishop, but where does it say that about the deacon?

(Btw - I don't disagree, but what saith the text?)

 

[Salty]

Where does the passage say that a deacon is to be a 'one woman man?' I know it says that about the bishop, but where does it say that about the deacon?

(Btw - I don't disagree, but what saith the text?)

I Tim 3:12 - from the Blue letter Bible

 

[Maestroh]

Thank You

I Tim 3:12 - from the Blue letter Bible

You know, I looked in I Timothy 3 yesterday and didn't see it and started thinking maybe my tradition was clouding my judgment.

I'd always thought that but I guess I just didn't look far enough.


(Note: I have been under a LOT of stress lately - but this is still embarrassing).

 

[Shortandy]

For those who have simply said "not in my church" or "no they can not" the question is why? Why can't a divorced person serve as a deacon in a church?

 

[DrRandyGrace]

A divorced man, who is otherwise qualified for service, may certainly serve as a deacon in the Church. Nowhere does the Bible prohibit his serving on the basis of his being divorced.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

A divorced man, who is otherwise qualified for service, may certainly serve as a deacon in the Church. Nowhere does the Bible prohibit his serving on the basis of his being divorced.

How about divorced and remarried. I think I have a problem with that senario.

 

[Salty]

You know, I looked in I Timothy 3 yesterday and didn't see it and started thinking maybe my tradition was clouding my judgment.

I'd always thought that but I guess I just didn't look far enough.


(Note: I have been under a LOT of stress lately - but this is still embarrassing).

dont worry, now you are permitted to embarrases me:laugh:

Thats what neat about the Bap board, we can all help each other:1_grouphug:

Salty

 

[pinoybaptist]

A more precise translation is "one woman man".

Marriage isn't really mentioned.

So, in the light of what you said is a more precise translation, and in what one poster here said that Paul was not alluding to divorce, or a divorced situation, does that mean that members of the congregation may have more than one wife and perhaps a paramour or paramours on the side ?

 

[Bartimaeus]

What about being divorced and remarried five times?

Bartimaeus

 

[webdog]

How about divorced and remarried. I think I have a problem with that senario.

It depends on the reason for divorce. If it was for legitimate reasons laid out in Scripture, nobody should have a problem with remarriage.