Divorce and positions of authority

Does the WELS have an official stance regarding divorced people holding positions of authority (e.g., elementary school teachers, youth group leaders, Sunday School teachers, members of church boards, etc.) in the church or school?

Recognizing how circumstances can vary greatly in the dissolution of marriages, there is no “official stance” that addresses your question.

Congregations are rightly concerned that those who serve remain above reproach and set Christian examples—especially for the young. Being divorced, in and of itself, does not necessarily disqualify a person from serving. Congregations need to consider the particular circumstances of the divorce in determining what service can be rendered in their midst.