Divorce and membership questions

[MaxPC]

Granted I do understand that there are different degrees of orthodoxy between the various Anabaptist fellowships. I am interested in all Anabaptist fellowships regarding how they view divorce and membership, hence some questions:

1. Can a divorced person join a fellowship?
2. If a divorced person can join, what about a history of two or more divorces?
3. If divorce is an obstacle to membership, is there an auxiliary status allowed?

[mike]

Granted I do understand that there are different degrees of orthodoxy between the various Anabaptist fellowships. I am interested in all Anabaptist fellowships regarding how they view divorce and membership, hence some questions:

1. Can a divorced person join a fellowship?
2. If a divorced person can join, what about a history of two or more divorces?
3. If divorce is an obstacle to membership, is there an auxiliary status allowed?

All answers relate to my church and conference, but I believe these positions are broadly shared by other conservative Mennonite churches.

1. Absolutely.
2. The number of past divorces would not make a difference. The present state of the person's spiritual life and willingness to comply with the beliefs and discipline of the church is what matters.
3. There's no such thing as auxiliary membership.

A person would be denied membership based on marital status only if they were remarried (married to another partner while the previous one was still living). There are some potential factors about the prior marriage that I assume might put an asterisk on this policy, but I don't know exactly what my church's official position is on those things.

[Soloist]

I’ve never heard of a single Anabaptist church that would draw the line at a divorced person regardless of number. The same should apply to any sin sincerely repented of. This isn’t to say safe guards can’t still be used…

[Ken]

I would be curious if there are any groups that distinguish between different reasons for divorce and accept some reasons but not others.

Also whether there is a distinction between already being divorced versus seeking a divorce after one is already a member.

[Soloist]

I would be curious if there are any groups that distinguish between different reasons for divorce and accept some reasons but not others.

Also whether there is a distinction between already being divorced versus seeking a divorce after one is already a member.

The less conservative you go, the more reasons are acceptable.
If a member is seeking divorce I suspect they have already been in a lengthy process to try to resolve the problem. More often there could be separation but not divorce. Generally though… the one asking for a divorce has left the church.

[mike]

I would be curious if there are any groups that distinguish between different reasons for divorce and accept some reasons but not others.

Also whether there is a distinction between already being divorced versus seeking a divorce after one is already a member.

There are definitely groups that support a person physically separating from their spouse in certain cases such as abuse. I’m not sure if there are any that would support actually filing for divorce in those cases. I’m pretty sure no conservative Anabaptist church would permit divorce in any case at all. Unless maybe if there was a case where it was learned that the marriage of a member or prospective member was not according to biblical teaching, in which case they might permit or even advocate legal separation or divorce since the marriage is not permissible.

[barnhart]

1. Can a divorced person join a fellowship?
2. If a divorced person can join, what about a history of two or more divorces?
3. If divorce is an obstacle to membership, is there an auxiliary status allowed?

I agree with Mike. I might add these positions are centered around the conviction that marriage is dissolved only by death.

[Ken]

I would be curious if there are any groups that distinguish between different reasons for divorce and accept some reasons but not others.

Also whether there is a distinction between already being divorced versus seeking a divorce after one is already a member.

There are definitely groups that support a person physically separating from their spouse in certain cases such as abuse. I’m not sure if there are any that would support actually filing for divorce in those cases. I’m pretty sure no conservative Anabaptist church would permit divorce in any case at all. Unless maybe if there was a case where it was learned that the marriage of a member or prospective member was not according to biblical teaching, in which case they might permit or even advocate legal separation or divorce since the marriage is not permissible.

Divorces can be adversarial and often are. What would a conservative church do when one spouse packs up and leaves and files for divorce and the other wants to stay? Assume no abuse or prima facia religious grounds for divorce. One spouse just wants out and to be gone from the church and files for an adversarial divorce?

[Josh]

Granted I do understand that there are different degrees of orthodoxy between the various Anabaptist fellowships. I am interested in all Anabaptist fellowships regarding how they view divorce and membership, hence some questions:

1. Can a divorced person join a fellowship?

Generally speaking, yes.

2. If a divorced person can join, what about a history of two or more divorces?

Generally speaking, yes. Keep in mind a murderer could also become a church member; a good example of this was Paul (neé Saul).

3. If divorce is an obstacle to membership, is there an auxiliary status allowed?

Generally speaking Anabaptists don’t have a concept of “auxiliary” membership, although it is frequently proposed.

[Josh]

I would be curious if there are any groups that distinguish between different reasons for divorce and accept some reasons but not others.

Also whether there is a distinction between already being divorced versus seeking a divorce after one is already a member.

There are definitely groups that support a person physically separating from their spouse in certain cases such as abuse. I’m not sure if there are any that would support actually filing for divorce in those cases. I’m pretty sure no conservative Anabaptist church would permit divorce in any case at all. Unless maybe if there was a case where it was learned that the marriage of a member or prospective member was not according to biblical teaching, in which case they might permit or even advocate legal separation or divorce since the marriage is not permissible.

Divorces can be adversarial and often are. What would a conservative church do when one spouse packs up and leaves and files for divorce and the other wants to stay? Assume no abuse or prima facia religious grounds for divorce. One spouse just wants out and to be gone from the church and files for an adversarial divorce?

The person breaking their marriage vows would be excommunicated.