Two very public instances of divorce in the ‘Christian’ community (TBN Charismatic to be specific) have been announced in the last couple of weeks. Pastors Paula and Randy White (Church Without Walls, Tampa , FL) say they are divorcing because their respective ministries have led them in opposite directions and therefore they no longer have enough in common to continue with marriage. Does this sound like a Biblical reason for divorce? What is stunning to me is that TBN and Carman have put their stamp of approval on the whole thing. Aware of the critics, Christian artist Carman said people who don’t have the “wherewithal” to assess the situation should not judge or “open that person up to look,” as he stated it. He told Paula White that she is at the top of her game right now. Carman apparently said this on his show with Paula as his guest. Somehow I can’t imagine being at the top of my game (and “game” seems an appropriate word here) as I’m going through a divorce unless I was thrilled to escape from my spouse. I’m grossly disappointed with Carman because I have supported him since his first tour many years ago, both in prayer and monetarily. When he says we should not “open that person up to look”, what are we then supposed to do? Say ,”Yipee, she’s now hot and available?” I have yet to see anyone bring any scriptural basis for this kind of rationale.

While people in “ministry” need our continued prayers when they face difficult obstacles in life I have two observations about “Ministers”:

1. They are called to a higher standard than laypersons. “Let not many of you beome teachers…knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgement.” James 3:1
2. It seems that anyone can set themselves up to be a “Minister” and immediately be absolved from any accountability for their actions. After all, doesn’t James also say, “judge not that you be not judged”?

So why bother preaching against divorce? Well, apparently no high profile preacher does anymore. Fortunately, the pastors of my Mennonite Brethren Church are. Our church certainly needs it. “…if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20

(Part II to come)