People often ask, “Can a divorced man pastor? If not, can he be a missionary? Can a pastor have a divorced wife?”These questions arise because many believe certain failures permanently disqualify someone from serving God. Yet, the truth is, very few people alive today haven’t done something that caused them to forfeit, to some extent, what could have been God’s perfect will for their lives.
But here’s the good news: God can remake His will so that we can walk in His perfect will moving forward, even if we didn’t in the past. My goal is to help you understand to what extent God can still use us after we’ve fallen.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
(John 15:1-2)
God’s desire is to salvage everything He can from our lives for His service. Therefore, instead of looking for reasons not to use people, we should be actively seeking ways God can use them. Sadly, many churches and preachers focus more on disqualifying people than restoring them.
As long as someone is bearing fruit—even a little—God will continue to work in their lives, pruning and purging to help them grow and produce even more. But the Bible also says that if a branch bears no fruit at all, it will be taken away. Sometimes, God takes unfruitful believers home to Heaven. But as long as God sees fruit in your life, He allows you to stay because you still have a purpose to fulfill.
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
(Revelation 4:11)
We were created for God’s pleasure, and His pleasure is that we praise Him. We bring Him praise by bearing fruit and influencing others for Christ. Consider these truths:
- God saved us for the praise of His glory.
- We can praise Him better in Heaven than on earth.
- God leaves us here to bring others to praise Him.
- If we lead others to praise Him, He receives more glory than if He took us to Heaven.
- If we don’t bear fruit, He may take us home to give Him more praise there.
This is why soul-winning and serving God are so important. If we fail to bear fruit, we risk missing our purpose here on earth. But if we commit to leading others to Christ, we fulfill God’s will and bring Him glory.
Qualifications and Disqualifications for Service
Scripture only gives specific qualifications for two church roles: pastor and deacon. For these, there are clear biblical guidelines. For example, both must be “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2, 12), sober-minded, and hospitable.
However, the Bible does not outline disqualifications for roles like Sunday school teacher, choir member, soul winner, or any general form of Christian service. If a person sins but gets right with God, the Bible doesn’t say they can’t serve. God focuses on your present walk, not your past failures.
While some sins may disqualify a man from pastoring or being a deacon, they don’t disqualify him from serving God entirely. The same applies to women; although they cannot serve as pastors or deacons, there is nothing in Scripture that says a woman can forfeit her right to serve God.
Biblical Examples of Restoration
Consider Moses. He committed murder and spent 40 years in the wilderness, but God still used him mightily. He led Israel out of Egypt, parted the Red Sea, and brought water from a rock. God didn’t erase Moses’ past, but He still had a purpose for him.
David committed adultery and murder, yet God restored him. Many of David’s greatest Psalms were written after his sin with Bathsheba.
Paul, before his conversion, persecuted Christians and consented to their deaths, yet he became one of the greatest missionaries the world has ever known.
Peter denied Christ three times, but Jesus restored him and used him to preach at Pentecost, where 3,000 souls were saved.
If God could use these men after their failures, He can use anyone willing to repent and be restored.
Temporary Setbacks, Not Permanent Disqualifications
There may be times when a Christian must step back from certain roles to heal, repent, and rebuild trust. However, that pause should not be viewed as permanent disqualification. Restoration is always God’s goal.
I once knew a man who committed a serious sin and was removed from the ministry. In brokenness, he confessed his sin and asked if he could be restored. I told him, “I am not the one who can restore you to God’s favor, but if you confess your sin to God and He forgives you, I will help you in any way I can to restore you to ministry.”
Today, that man is back in ministry. He’s not the same man he was before—he’s better because of the lessons God taught him through his fall. I often wonder how many fallen men could have been restored if the church had helped them instead of discarding them.
God’s Business Is Restoration
The only sin that permanently separates a person from God’s service is dying in a state of unbelief or apostasy. But as long as there is life and a willingness to repent, God can restore anyone.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
(1 John 1:9)
God is in the business of restoration. Every sin can be forgiven if we take the right steps. Humility, confession, and repentance open the door for God to work through us again.
If you have fallen, don’t believe the lie that God is finished with you. He still has a plan, but it requires surrender and a willingness to let Him mold you into what He wants you to be.
Let God’s grace restore you. There is still fruit to bear, still souls to win, and still work to be done.