PART III: Reviewing the EFCA’s Policy Regarding Divorced Ministers ***This is the final installment of a review broken down into three parts. For more information and background, please read Part I and Part II.*** When the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) revised their policy regarding divorced ministers in 2015, they did much good while … Continue reading “DM Review: EFCA’s Revised Divorced Credentials Policy (Part III)”
Category: Reconciliation
DM Review: EFCA’s Revised Divorced Credentials Policy (Part II)
PART II: Reviewing EFCA’s New Policy Regarding Divorced Ministers ***This is a continuation of series of posts regarding a change in divorce policy with this prominent evangelical denomination. To view the first post that comes with important background to the discussion click here.*** As stated in Part I, I am writing this review in order … Continue reading “DM Review: EFCA’s Revised Divorced Credentials Policy (Part II)”
DM Review: EFCA’s Revised Divorced Credentials Policy (Part I)
PART I: Reviewing the recent policy changes in the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) regarding credentialing divorced individuals Link to the revised policy document (click here). Background: The EFCA is a denomination with Scandinavian origins started in the United States in the 1880s. It became the current denomination under the name the Evangelical Free … Continue reading “DM Review: EFCA’s Revised Divorced Credentials Policy (Part I)”
Returning Victims To Their Soul Rapists
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” … Continue reading “Returning Victims To Their Soul Rapists”
I don’t want YOU to work it out…
“I don’t want you to work it out… …if your adulterous spouse is unrepentant. I simply do not.” I wish more pastors would take this stance and verbalize it to their congregants. It is very Biblical (e.g. Jeremiah 3:8, Ezekiel 18:20, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 19:9, Hebrews 13:4, etc.). However, I am aware that for some pastors … Continue reading “I don’t want YOU to work it out…”
Mindset Change: Default to Divorce Biblically
And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. – Jeremiah 3:8, KJV Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not … Continue reading “Mindset Change: Default to Divorce Biblically”
Making Repentance The Priority
Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift … Continue reading “Making Repentance The Priority”
Truly Repentant Cheaters Stop Managing Their Image
Surrendering Their Image Control A key piece in the testimony given by W. Paul Young, the author of The Shack, was how he did not make an excuse or try to hide the fact of his infidelity. He stopped trying to pretend or control how people perceived him. And, certainly, he did not put a muzzle on … Continue reading “Truly Repentant Cheaters Stop Managing Their Image”
Pastors: “Please Insist On Faithful Spouses Being Told!”
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23-24, NIV A danger with a strong evangelical, Protestant … Continue reading “Pastors: “Please Insist On Faithful Spouses Being Told!””
Unhelpful Observation: “God permits divorce, BUT He never commands it.”
“God permits faithful spouses to divorce adulterous spouses. BUT He never commands it.” -Unhelpful Pastoral Advice This is technically true. God does not directly command anyone to divorce.* But before getting smug over one’s rightness on this matter consider what God does say regarding adulterous spouses: God commands His people to kill adulterous spouses! –see Deut. 22:22 … Continue reading “Unhelpful Observation: “God permits divorce, BUT He never commands it.””