Pastoral contact

My wife committed adultery. She left our church. How often should my pastor reach out trying to get her back to God and come back to our marriage?

I am sorry to hear about your wife’s actions and how your life has been affected.

If leaving the church means that your wife is no longer a member of your congregation, that means that your wife has removed herself from the discipline of your church and the authority of your pastor (Matthew 18:15-20).

Your pastor can certainly speak to your wife as he has opportunity but, because the pastor-member relationship no longer exists, his influence on her life has greatly diminished. It is much easier now for your wife to decline an invitation to speak with your pastor.

Your situation calls for Christian counseling. I hope you are in contact with your pastor. Do pass your concerns along to him. You can certainly ask your pastor to try to speak to your wife. Those who know of your situation can definitely pray for you and your wife. God bless you.