Monday, August 1, 2011

When your pastor encourages divorce by example, what?

I've been very blessed as today I celebrate 30 years of marriage to my wife Candy.

In my experience with Light of the World Church and it's pastor Joyce Leiphon, there exists a pastor who openly promotes divorce by example and actually preaches it from her pulpit! Of course she doesn't say the word divorce, but sometimes your actions speak louder than your words. I have heard her tell us that if your husband isn't listening to what I'm preaching, then....(stopped short of using the word divorce) stop listening to him!

When I arrived there 4 years ago I remember our meeting and how she went on to describe her 4 previous marriages. The last husband had attended REHMA Bible School. It didn't bother me as we serve a God of mercy and grace. What did bother me, was her last husband was co pastor and she said God told her to divorce him. He left the area, and she got the church! Scripture is pretty clear on grounds for divorce, but she told me she heard from God. Hey who am I to question the pastor?

Funny thing is, this was the second time God told her to divorce a husband. I have to admit, I'm no bible scholar but I thought God hates divorce. Why would God tell her to divorce two husbands? She said there was no infidelity or death involved but that God told her to divorce her husbands. Thank you Lord for your mercy and grace!

I started to look around and noticed, that out of the 15 regular devotees of the money cometh to me church, most were divorced, in the process of divorce, or been divorced. I was asked one day from someone, "How can someone who has divorced 4 times, heard from God to divorce 2 of them, , not interested in being married, belittles men and husbandry from the pulpit ever counsel anyone with marital problems?" I didn't have an answer. I have watched at least one divorce happen in this church with the pastor's blessing and encouragement.

Now I get emails and hand written letters from people who say she's actually been married 5 times! Thank you Jesus for your grace and mercy.

I'm thankful I've been married only once and for 30 years today. I'm also thankful to be out of a church that encourages divorce. When your pastor encourages divorce, what do you do? If it's not scriptural, RUN!