Pastoral Divorce: A Case Study

1. Pastoral Divorce: A Case Study John SeCheverell Andrew Frank Noah Hoffman Brittany West Aaron Pfahler

2. Preliminary Issues • Note denominational and congregational guidelines regarding pastoral divorce. • Look for any historical precedent within the congregational history • Attempt to ascertain what is meant by “irreconcilable differences” • If it is something illegal (i.e. physical abuse, child molestation) contact the authorities. • If it is something that is not, attempt to reconcile it quietly

3. Reconcile the Irreconcilable • Following the example of Christ, attempt to reconcile them back to one another • Assess the Church’s resources regarding couples therapy or support groups and the like. • Continue to listen and trust the body, perhaps someone knows something that the couple is not admitting that may be helpful. • Continue to listen to the couple as well, sometimes what is said at first is not the whole of it.

4. Further considerations • Issues like these are not contended with in a vacuum. They have to be dealt with while sermons are spoken, budgets are handled, and mentoring is taking place. The load has to be shared in times of trial!

5. Conclusion • We would, if possible, attempt to aid the minister in reconciling their relationship with their spouse through therapy and related means. • If they still decided to split, and no reason of note was ascertained, then we would look to denominational precedent and congregational leanings to decide.

6. Have a nice day!