The Tragedy of Divorce in the Church at Large
What is going on here? A Warning about the Satanic onslaught!
"For I hate divorce," says the LORD, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with wrong," says the LORD of hosts. "So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously."
Many prominent ministers have faced the tragedy of divorce.
The developments in the lives of all these ministers are pretty serious and demonstrate that no one is immune from this demonic onslaught. If your marriage is doing great, Praise God! If not, pay attention, we are living in the last days and everyone should be on your gaurd, because the devil is after your marriages, but there is help! In the coming days you learn about my testimony. God has given me a great revelation that is called "Anatomy of a Divorce". First, I encourage everyone to visit the "True Love" page to learn about God's design for marriage. If you are in the worst marriage crises of your life, don't give up. The road to hell is always paved with our very own good intentions. We always think we know better than God, it isn't until it is too late and we finally reach where that road ends that we realize the gravity of our mistake. As ministers we are held to a higher standard. Some of us elevate and idolize some of our leaders so when they fail it can have a devestating effect on our minds. We have to focus on Jesus and realize that he is the only one that will never fail us.
Joel and Kathy Davisson on All of the Answers Radio
Joel and kathy Comment on Dicvorce of Church Leaders
At some point, it must stop. Listen to us Pastors, Leaders and national "bishops" and Prophets: If your life behind closed doors is not matching the life that you are preaching and teaching about; if your life at home does not reflect the Glory of God; then step down for a season of restoration.
-Joel and Kathy Davisson (More Resources)
Answers and history of divorce in the church
Rebuild Your Marriage, Recover From Adultery and Abuse, and Enhance any Marriage Using the Life Changing Principles that God Taught us. These Principles Have Given Us an Outrageously Happy Marriage!
If Joel and Kathy Can Do It, SO CAN YOU! (Click Here for Resources)
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Knowing God Program with Greg Laurie. The video clips of this program will offer you a unique opportunity to see Greg Laurie, the husband, as he and his wife, Cathe, share with us how to have a strong marriage. (Watch)
Breaking News Monday, July 26, 2010
National Enquirer Reporting that Pastor Benny Hinn is having an affair with Paula White
Editorial
I, Phillip V. Guerra of All of the Answers, LLC would like to advise that Christians and Non-Christians alike should not jump to conclusions. I haye personally witnessed his ministry first hand and believe he should receive the benefit of the doubt. It is a fact that on all of the investigations of his ministries and lengthy IRS tax audits his organization has been found to be exemplary and he has the documentation to prove it. This is his official response, we stand by him and still ask others to pray for him and the reconciliation of his 30 year marriage as he has requested.
Message from Benny Hinn as posted on his website!
To my precious partners,
As you may be aware, the National Enquirer recently released a dishonest and misleading article which falsely characterized my friendship with Paula White. The publication, which is known for its bias against religious figures, misleads readers regarding the ministerial friendship I have had with Paula White for over 20 years.
As you know, my wife, Suzanne, filed for divorce at the beginning of this year. If it were not for the comfort of the precious Holy Spirit and the Word of God to give me encouragement throughout this process, I cannot imagine how I could have survived the past five months. Throughout this season, your love and prayers have helped strengthen me to continue ministering around the world. Were it not for your faithfulness and the presence of my wonderful Lord Jesus, the loneliness of carrying this burden by myself would have been unbearable.
In late May of this year, Paula White came to tape a This Is Your Day broadcast with me. Although I had not seen her for years, she was an encouragement to me and shared helpful advice out of her own painful experience. As a result, I will not deny that the friendship has strengthened, and, while it has remained morally pure at all times, I have enjoyed the company of someone who has also gone through the trauma of a painful and public divorce.
But most of you know me personally and know that I have faithfully preached the Gospel for over 35 years. I have never failed my marriage vows and would never dishonor the precious name of Jesus, whom I adore with all my being...and I never will! As I have often said, I would rather die than bring dishonor to His name.
And so I am writing to tell you today that I forcefully, categorically, and absolutely renounce the lies that have been spread about me and want to set the record straight with you. There is nothing inappropriate or morally improper about my friendship with Paula White.
There has been no immorality whatsoever!
The article also indicated that on a recent trip to Italy we met secretly and stayed together. This could not be further from the truth and is absolutely false! The truth is that we traveled independently to the region for respective ministry duties. I was invited by Vatican officials to visit the Vatican to discuss future ministry opportunities there. Paula was likewise invited to have meetings in the region, and, although we spent time together, we were never alone and were in the constant company of staff and family members.
That notwithstanding, I have become increasingly aware that the optics of this friendship have caused others to draw conclusions that are incomplete and unfounded. And because of my preeminent priority to my ministry and calling, Paula and I have concluded that we should avoid the appearance that our friendship is biblically impure or violates Scripture in any way. Paula and I also recognize that being seen in such settings is unwise, and we have independently determined that we will have no further social relationship until such time as my divorce has concluded and only if we feel direction from the Lord to do so.
I am using this season to seek the Lord and His Word as my Counselor and Guide as my family and I recover from the pain and disappointment of the loss of my marriage of over 30 years. My commitment to preaching the Gospel, as I have done for over 35 years, has only intensified through this experience; and the precious Lord Jesus I adore is the true love of my life and my unfailing companion for all eternity.
Thank you for your prayers, your love, and all your support for me and my family. You are precious to me and I will not fail you; but most of all I will never fail the wonderful Lord Jesus who is life and breath to me.
Benny Hinn
Meet The Lovelorns - A story of Marriage, Divorce, and Reconciliation
Melody and I were married for 11 years before my struggle with pornography and sexual addiction ripped our family apart. This tragic upheaval left both of us reeling and disrupted our status quo, to say the least. The appearance of the"perfect" life that we both worked so hard to maintain came crashing down all around us.
After 6 years of divorce, we remarried. This is our story...
Story of Marriage, Divorce, and Reconciliation from Traylor Lovvorn on Vimeo.
. . . . . Divorce Care - What is it? . . . How about it church, start a group today! . . . Hear from the children! . . .Find help and healing for the hurt of separation and divorce
DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone.
DivorceCare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You’ll gain access to valuable DivorceCare resources to help you deal with the pain of the past and look forward to rebuilding your life.
There are thousands of DivorceCare divorce recovery support groups meeting throughout the US, Canada and nearly 20 other countries and territories. There’s one meeting near you!
Connect with a DivorceCare group today »
Also available support groups for the children of divorce
Connect your children with a DC4K group today!
(webmaster's note: as a divorced person myself, and having gone through it believe that this program and support system is an important tool to help us to stay grounded in God and help position us for healing and restoration for time to come. While we do our best by the biblical mandates, it is also important than we not judge those who have divorced but to prayerfully and lovingly extend God's unfailing love and mercy.)
There but for the grace of God go I
Death by Ministry - Pastor Burnout
Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, whose video you see below, wrote the following on his blog in addressing pastoral burn out.
The following statistics were presented by Pastor Darrin Patrick from research he has gathered from such organizations as Barna and Focus on the Family.
Pastors
* Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
* Fifty percent of pastors' marriages will end in divorce.
* Eighty percent of pastors and eighty-four percent of their spouses feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
* Fifty percent of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
* Eighty percent of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.
* Seventy percent of pastors constantly fight depression.
* Almost forty percent polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.
* Seventy percent said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons.
Pastors' Wives
* Eighty percent of pastors' spouses feel their spouse is overworked.
* Eighty percent of pastors' spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession.
* The majority of pastor's wives surveyed said that the most destructive event that has occurred in their marriage and family was the day they entered the ministry. (Read More)
* Originally prepared for an elders' meeting at Mars Hill Church on May 22, 2006.
You have heard the story of the prodigal son, now hear the story of the prodigal spouse. (Marriage Restoration Testimonies) Also recommended are these links from Rejoice Marriage Ministries.