Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 25, 1993 TAG: 9307220083
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
When the minister is a popular TV preacher like the Rev. Charles Stanley of Atlanta, the hurt and sympathy extends through the country.
Stanley, 60, is one of the best-known Southern Baptist pastors in the country. He is spiritual leader of the 13,000-member First Baptist Church of Atlanta and is seen weekly in of homes through the church's nationwide television ministry.
A former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, he is known as a strong biblical conservative, a spellbinding preacher and a compassionate teacher.
He is now known as well as a man legally separated from his wife and, likely, soon to be divorced.
In a way, the Stanleys' situation is merely a reflection of a larger trend. Their case is unusual because so many people know of them, but the scenario is being repeated every day all around the country.
Congregations are being forced to face divorce and more and more often they are deciding to take the compassionate approach. They realize that ministers are human, too. That they make mistakes. That they can be involved in situations beyond their control.
Deciding to hire or retain a divorced minister may raise a host of related problems, however. One local church that recently hired a divorced minister then had to consider what to do about deacons, who - the by-laws specificed - could not be divorced. Some members who felt strongly that divorced people should not lead congregations left the church. Gossip, undoubtedly, will run rampant among some elements of the congregation. The now-remarried minister will be shunned by some fellow clerics.
In Atlanta, the Stanleys knew that the break-up of their 38-year marriage would be difficult to deal with publicly. They tried to keep the separation a secret as long as possible, even having court documents filed with only their initials on them for identification.
Word got out, however, and Stanley told his congregation about it July 4.
These are situations in which church members are compelled to re-evaluate belief and reconsider boundaries.
If they accept a divorced minister will they logically be compelled to accept a homosexual minister?
In at least a few places, the biblical condemnation of divorce is equated with adultery, which itself is often condemned in the same breath and just as strongly as homosexual practice.
For most of its history, Christianity has almost universally considered divorce unacceptable. Divorce was allowed only as a result of sexual sin and remarriage after divorce was held to be the equivalent of adultery. Most Protestant denominations asserted that church leaders "must be the husband of one wife" - which they interpreted not only as prohibiting polygamy but divorce and remarriage as well.
In recent years, the church has followed the lead of society as a whole in being more tolerant of divorce.
Many churches - even theologically conservative churches - now accept divorced people as full members - often with the right to hold offices and to have their own programs.
Church leaders and members have searched Scripture for exceptions to rules and absolutes. They have diligently and faithfully attempted to interpret Scripture to determine how to live according to its precepts.
Those churches that have chosen to become more accepting of divorced people apparently have decided to be led by Christ's teaching of compassion and forgiveness rather than his condemnation of divorce.
The congregational leadership at Charles Stanley's church expressed its support of their minister and his wife, and said "We are trusting God that this is a temporary separation and that the marriage will be reconciled."
But if divorce results, will they reject their minister? I hope not.
Has Charles Stanley been less of a minister while these marital problems reached the point that his wife decided she had to leave? Apparently not to a degree that many - if any - noticed it. Will his training, his calling, his mission, his compassion, his piety be diminished should his marriage be dissolved? I doubt it.
He may, in fact, ultimately be more compassionate, more understanding and more effective for having experienced the "heartache and grief" he now suffers.
It certainly is not something those who love him would have him or his wife endure. But if they really love him, they won't reject him for it either.
Cody Lowe reports on issues of religion and ethics for this newspaper. logos
by CNB