XPastor tries to help churches by providing some of the essentials for running a church—items like job descriptions, employment applications, review forms and policies. Below is the Leadership Qualification and Divorce Policy of Woodinville Alliance Church in Woodinville, Washington.
Persons who are divorced or divorced and remarried on scriptural grounds are entitled to the full privileges of fellowship and membership in the church. A believer who was divorced or divorced and remarried on other than scriptural grounds while still a nonbeliever should likewise be received into full Christian fellowship. The grace of God in Christ forgives all sin; the person in Christ is a new creation.
Discretion, however, must be exercised in the choice of divorced and remarried persons for places of leadership in the church. While all believers are equal members of the body of Christ, not all members are qualified equally for every office in the church. The offices of Elder (spiritual leader) and Deacon (business leader) in the church are to be filled by those of high moral and spiritual qualifications, whose pattern of exemplary Christian living is so established that it may be followed.
A believer who knowingly secures a divorce on other than scriptural grounds, or a believer who knowingly marries someone who was divorced on other than scriptural grounds, or a believer whose divorce was granted on other than scriptural grounds and who remarries should be disciplined by the church and be granted the full privileges of Christian fellowship only after a demonstration of genuine repentance for deliberate departure from scriptural standards.
Manual of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church
Statement on Marriage—Divorce—Remarriage (Page H2-5)
Woodinville Alliance Church’s policy concerning individuals in leadership (small group leader, missions member, governing board, etc.) who are going through a divorce states that they step down from leadership during periods of separation and ensuing divorce proceedings. Individuals may be placed in a serving capacity (parking lot attendant, usher, trof worker, sound tech, etc.) during this time period at the discretion of their pastoral supervisor. After a minimum period of six months following finalization of the divorce and an active process of restoration and healing, individuals may be placed back into leadership, dependent on their desire and Elder approval. Individuals who are separated or going through a divorce and are in a serving capacity may or may not be asked to step down at the discretion of their supervisor.
