Matters of The Heart

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by TRFrance

If they're both saved, and in doctrinally solid churches, the pastor should be careful not to be too heavy handed in his approach, even if he has reservations about the relationship or potential marriage.

If there are moral issues, criminal issues, or other serious issues that the pastor is aware of regarding the other potential mate, he should certainly bring that up, and express his reservations/disapproval of the situation if he feels that strongly about it.

At the end of the day,however, the pastor has to let the person make their own decision. If it comes down to it, if he feels his church member is being rebellious or unwise in the decision to marry this person, he can just politely decline to participate in the wedding ceremony, stating his reasons why, and then leave it in God's hands.

But its not his place to explicitly forbid the marriage of two Apostolic adults who wish to marry.

Absolutely! Great Post. If you past serves me correctly we had a VP a JCM who always interfered with potential relationships to the point of causing severe mental, emotional, and spiritual distress. He always said, "God told me", but what he meant was "I want my will to be accomplished".

There is nothing scripturally that calls for Pastors butting into other's/saint's personal business. Just like a counselor cannot choose sides when performing marital therapy, Pastors should not get involved in people's/saint's personal lives. If you do - it always comes back to bite you.


Blessings, Rhoni