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Bert

I like your comparison with the prodigal son .... but I don't think we can read all that detail into it.

But the main story is still applicable ... here the boy has grown up in his father's house ... and for whatever reason, he thinks that life would be/could be better somewhere else .... yes the Father lets him go, but keeps watch for his homecoming.

I still think Paul gives the best advice .... that unless the husband asks for a divorce or a separation, then that should be the last resort.

Notice, the man now calls himself an agnostic and not an atheist.

We don't know the details, but sometimes a person can grow up in a Christian home, and a Christian church and just accept the faith without thinking it out for themselves .... it is not until their faith is severely tested, that this process begins.

The other thing is some of the hype that seems to be a feature with some churches (more chance of this within a Charismatic ethos I think but not limited to them), this emphasis that we can and should claim God's promises, step out in faith, and God will do whatever we ask, especially to do great things for God. .... the potential here of a severe crisis of faith as well as burnout, is huge.

Should we step out in faith? ... yes, as long as we do so acknowledging that the work is God's, and we do not always accurately discern His purposes .... so that, as long as we do all within our power and ability, then the outcome belongs to God also. ... Note : whether or not this looks like success or failure from our human point of view.

Again, we should love this man, support him, and pray for him passionately!

in Christ

Dinah

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Hello Dinah

Ha. I like your heart, Dinah.

Perhaps he/she/they are Chrismatic? I did not read that, from the first post. And perhaps - - all is well, behind the scenes(?) - - and this is simple burn-out(?), as you suggest. Need another word for burnout. Burn-down, perhaps? Would need More Data, as #5 would shout. Is there outside family support?
My view is that giving up on a particular WORK, is not - wrong at all. In this, it could be said that HE is simply cutting HIS losses. We have all done that. Changed Churches, etc.

Let me get the Definition of Agnostic. (freedictionary.com)
a. One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
b. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.

ha. Is he A., or B.? In either case, he seems (from his own mouth) seems pretty far gone.

I would have to say - - that if this was a planting mission - and if I was someone who was donating for this planting mission - Sorry about this, but - I would stop sending money. But if he was at all honest - he would have notified me, and would have started sending the checks back. An agnostic has no business trying to support his family by preaching - or trying to start a Church.

The fact is - he, is OUT of there.

To me - - yes, I realize that his wife - may be getting jerked around a bit. But this is, to me, no reason to Divorce.

The KINDEST view I could come up with, was - - One might see this as a Sickness of his spirit - and not a breaking of covenant or rebellion against God. If we look at it that way - - he STILL needs to quit being a preacher, obviously. And if it was his wife, instead, who had gotten physically sick - and she needed to move to Mayo to get cared for - - would this be a call for him to divorce her, so he could continue his preaching work? No. Absolutely not. That is a ridiculous suggestion, in my opinion. So him being sick in spirit - is NO reason to Divorce him. But yes - - - they obviously need to find other work - at least for now.


Lots of stress out there. Marriage, Financial, Ecomonic, Socio-Political, Peer pressure, etc., etc., etc. Is very tough on the young.

Yes, prayer for them as they start their new life, is necessary.

Bert

PS. I think you and I have a slightly different view about Divorce, but that would be a different thread.

There isn't a lot to go on here, but from what I can tell..

What is happening:

• He has left the church and renounced his faith
• He has quit his job in the ministry

What is NOT happening:

• He has not left his wife
• He is not talking about a separation or divorce
• He is not seeing other women or committed adultery
• He is not abusing his wife or children (physically or verbally)
• He is not refusing to get another job and support his family financially
• He is not interfering with the children's religious instruction

Given that understanding, I think the advice to believers married to non-believers would apply here. In my opinion, she should remain married to him, and provide and example to him, so that through her example he may come to faith in Christ.

Assuming that my interpretation of the facts of the situation is correct.