As a Pastor I believe the first qualification has to be the calling. If a Pastor is not called to that city or church, then the Pastor would be wasting his time and the church's resources. If he is called, to what purpose? A single Pastor cannot counsel a married couple because he has no authenticity or experience to relate. However, a single Pastor would fit into ministries with youth, worship, d...more

As a Pastor I believe the first qualification has to be the calling. If a Pastor is not called to that city or church, then the Pastor would be wasting his time and the church's resources. If he is called, to what purpose? A single Pastor cannot counsel a married couple because he has no authenticity or experience to relate. However, a single Pastor would fit into ministries with youth, worship, discipleship, missions, etc. because being married does not have necessary application to successfully minister in those areas.

As most churches are family oriented, the real issue comes when a church is looking for a senior pastor. Then I'm afraid being married with believing children becomes important because the Pastor not only is preaching and teaching the elements of raising a family successfully in faith, but he actually lives it out and sets an example!

I's not news that marriage and the traditional family is under severe attack in our society, and the church needs leaders who live out these challenges each day leading the flock. For a single Pastor to be called to lead a family church is something that I would take seriously in prayer as it would appear to be against the example needed, especially in these times!less

Unfortunately, free speech is not free. It has been paid for by the blood of those in previous (and current) generations who fought to protect and defend it. While SCOTUS upheld that Westboro has the "right" to do what it did, the actions themselves are not right an not in the character of Jesus Christ. I pray that Westboro recognizes the grace and mercy that has been extended to them despite t...more

Unfortunately, free speech is not free. It has been paid for by the blood of those in previous (and current) generations who fought to protect and defend it. While SCOTUS upheld that Westboro has the "right" to do what it did, the actions themselves are not right an not in the character of Jesus Christ.

I pray that Westboro recognizes the grace and mercy that has been extended to them despite their use of the Lord's name to promote hatred and loathing, and in turn will discover and extend the true love of God and His desire that we all love our neighbor as ourselves.less

Quite right MTG2. While I am thankful for the healing that they have received, my concern is that he was preaching and leading others while undergoing significant repentance in his own life. All church leaders are accountable to Christ for the spiritual health of those placed in our care and the Lambs are no exception. If this is our wisdom and a primary concern as a leader, it moves us to ens...more

Quite right MTG2. While I am thankful for the healing that they have received, my concern is that he was preaching and leading others while undergoing significant repentance in his own life.

All church leaders are accountable to Christ for the spiritual health of those placed in our care and the Lambs are no exception. If this is our wisdom and a primary concern as a leader, it moves us to ensure those who are placed under our care are given every good thing to ensure their spiritual growth, even if it means we remove ourselves from the picture.

As a Pastor who deals with crisis marriages, the energy required to reconcile and forgive is (and should be) all consuming. If it is sincere and authentic reconciliation they are seeking, the focus should be on God and the marriage... not the next sermon or speaking engagement.

To step away from leadership for a season to focus on the covenant with God in marriage is a Christ focused course to take. It shows remorse, submission and humility. A covenant has been broken and it deserves everything they can offer on the alter to restore it.

My prayer for the Lambs is that God reveals the entire truth behind this story, and that He takes back the evident wealth they have accumulated so that they may be humbled to turn back to the Lord for their strength and provision!less

Quite frankly, this is a crock. As a retired commanding officer, I have always enforced a "don't ask, don't tell" for all ranks under my command. I don't believe anyone should flaunt their sexual escapades, heterosexual, homosexual, or otherwise and to do so is inappropriate if not just plain rude.

While I'm always glad to see a victory of forgiveness and healing of a marriage and the information that as a couple they sought counseling, as a Pastor I believe that any leader in such a position should always step down and away from preaching and leading others spiritually while they do seek the process of repentance and healing. The fact that they were not transparent about the situation in th...more

While I'm always glad to see a victory of forgiveness and healing of a marriage and the information that as a couple they sought counseling, as a Pastor I believe that any leader in such a position should always step down and away from preaching and leading others spiritually while they do seek the process of repentance and healing. The fact that they were not transparent about the situation in the first place and humble themselves by stepping down, even for a period of time to focus on their marriage, illustrates that money is more likely their master than Jesus!less