Charles and Anna Johnson Stanley, married in 1958, faced numerous challenges in their marriage. In 1993, Anna unexpectedly filed for divorce, which was reportedly caused by years of marital disappointments and conflict. The couple had been married for over four decades and were both devout servants of God. However, the couple’s marriage ended in 2000 due to the disintegration of their marriage.
Charles Stanley Jr. was born in Dry Fork, Virginia, on September 25, 1932, just nine months before his father, Charley, died. He was appointed to pastor a satellite church, but knew his parents’ marriage was disintegrating. After his father’s death, he knew his parents’ marriage was disintegrating.
Charles Stanley and Anna Stanley were married for 45 years, and they spent most of their marital life spreading the word of God in places like Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida. After their divorce, Anna Stanley kept a low profile and lived a quiet life away from the spotlight. She passed away on November 10, 2014, at the age of 69.
Atlanta pastor Andy Stanley, son of the late Dr. Charles Stanley, revealed the last words his father’s final words to him.
The couple’s divorce caused multiple disruptions to their family and public image. The reasons for the Stanleys’ divorce were kept private, but the fallout was not. Their separation prompted a church split and sent many more marriages falling apart due to Charles Stanley’s actions.
📹 Why Did Charles Stanley And Anna Stanley Divorce After 40 Years
The story of Charles Stanley & Anna Stanley Divorce* #charlesstanley #annastanley #beckystanley Charles Stanley and Anna …
Did Anna Stanley ever remarry?
Did Anna Stanley ever marry again? The musician was unmarried until she died. She stayed out of the spotlight after her divorce. She was involved in many church activities until illness stopped her.
Did Anna Stanley remarry?
Did Anna Stanley ever marry again? The musician was unmarried until she died. She stayed out of the spotlight after her divorce. She was involved in many church activities until illness stopped her.
What happened to Charles Stanley’s father?
Dr. Charles F. Stanley was the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta for over fifty years. He was also the founder of InTouch Ministries and a New York Times best-selling author. He wrote more than seventy books about Jesus. Charles F. Stanley was born on September 25, 1932, in Dry Fork, Virginia. Charles was the only child of Charley and Rebecca Stanley. He was born during the Great Depression. His father Charley died nine months later at 29. But Charles didn’t let the Great Depression or his life define him. His godly mother, Rebecca, taught him to trust God and obey His Word. At fourteen, Dr. Stanley felt called to preach. He followed in his father and grandfather’s footsteps.
Dr. Stanley got his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Richmond in 1956. On August 19, 1956, Dr. Stanley was ordained at Moffett Memorial Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia. He then got his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He later earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in theology from Luther Rice Seminary.
In 1957, Dr. Stanley started pastoring at Fruitland Baptist Church in North Carolina. He also taught homiletics, preaching, and evangelism at the Fruitland Bible Institute. He also served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Fairborn, Ohio, First Baptist Church of Miami, Florida, and First Baptist Church of Bartow, Florida. On October 1, 1971, Dr.Stanley was the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia, until he died. In 1972, he started a half-hour show called “The Chapel Hour” on Atlanta TV stations WXIA-TV 11 and WANX 46. In 1978, the Christian Broadcasting Network asked Dr. Stanley to create a Bible teaching program for its new satellite distribution network. The show grew from 16,000 local Atlanta viewers to a nationwide audience in one week. In 1982, InTouch Ministries was formed and began radio syndication. The “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” program reached almost every major market in the United States, broadcasting to more than 115 million households with the message of Christ’s sufficiency for life’s demands. Dr. Stanley was inducted into the NRB Hall of Fame in 1988 and served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention.
When did Stanley divorce?
Anna J. Stanley married Charles Stanley Jr. in 1953. They divorced in 1993. The two agreed that Anna would change the lawsuit to ask for a legal separation (separate maintenance) while trying to get back together. She filed for divorce again on March 20, 1995. The Moody Radio Network station in Atlanta took Stanleys’ daily broadcast off the air during this time. Managers concluded that there was no sign of reconciliation. The Stanleys were legally separated when they filed for the last time on February 16, 2000. A judge signed the final divorce decree on May 11, 2000. Their divorce caused a minor controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention. The divorce made things more complicated because Stanley said he would resign as pastor if he got divorced. He said he didn’t think he’d get divorced, but after he did, his church voted to keep him as their pastor. Stanley was allowed to remain as pastor as long as he did not remarry. Anna Stanley died on November 10, 2014. Stanley served on the board of the Moral Majority political organization. He was a close friend of the entity’s founder, Jerry Falwell.
How many affairs did Stanley have?
I had three affairs in this documentary. If you find my body, don’t call the police. My wife did it. —Stanley Hudson, A.A.R.M. Teri Hudson is Stanley Hudson’s second wife. Stanley says their marriage is rocky.
What happened to Dr. Stanley’s wife?
Anna Stanley died on November 10, 2014. Televangelist, author, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Atlanta (1971–2020), President of the Southern Baptist Convention (1984–1986). University of Richmond, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Charles Frazier Stanley Jr. (September 25, 1932 – April 18, 2023) was an American Southern Baptist pastor and writer. He was the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta for 49 years and retired in 2020. He also founded In Touch Ministries, which broadcasts his sermons on TV and radio. He also served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1984 to 1986.
What did Charles Stanley pass away from?
- Charles Frazier Stanley Jr. (September 25, 1932 – April 18, 2023) was an American Southern Baptist pastor and writer. He was senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta for 49 years and took on emeritus status in 2020.234 He founded and was president of In Touch Ministries which widely broadcasts his sermons through television and radio. He also served two one-year terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, from 1984 to 1986.citation needed *Early life and educationedit. On September25, 1932 (91 years ago), Stanley was born in Dry Fork, an unincorporated community of Pittsylvania County, Virginia.5 His father, also named Charles, died nine months later. Charles Stanley Jr.s mother, Rebecca, and the rest of the family moved frequently during his childhood.5 *At the age of 12, around 1944, Charles Stanley Jr. became a born-again Christian, and at age 14 he began his lifes work in Christian ministry.6 *Stanley graduated in 1956 at the age of 23, from the University of Richmond with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, earning a Master of Divinity.5 He also earned a Master of Theology and a Doctorate of Theology degree from Luther Rice Seminary (at the time located in Jacksonville, Florida).5 *Ministryedit. Stanley joined the staff of First Baptist Church of Atlanta in 1969 and became senior pastor in 1971.78 *In 1972, Stanley launched a half-hour religious television program called The Chapel Hour. In 1977, he founded In Touch Ministries with the mission to lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and to strengthen the local church.9 The Christian Broadcasting Network began televising In Touch in 1978.10 The show has since been translated in 50 languages.11 In the United States, In Touch is broadcast on approximately 500 radio stations, 300 television stations, and several satellite networks including The Inspiration Network (INSP) and Trinity Broadcasting Network. Stanleys sermons, along with other audio and video programming, are available on the In Touch website. The ministry also publishes In Touch magazine. In Touch uses tools like radio, television, magazines and digital media in its effort to advance the Gospel as quickly as possible.12 Stanley took the ministry name In Touch from a Living Bible he owned.13 *Stanleys writings and broadcasts address issues such as finances, parenting, personal crises, emotional matters, relationships, and Protestantism. The In Touch website said, Dr. Stanley fervently believes the Bible to be the inerrant Word of God, a belief strongly reflected in his teaching.14 *In 1985, Charles Stanley was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention.9 *In 2017, Stanley named Anthony George to succeed him as senior pastor of First Baptist Church at some point in the future.15 On September 13, 2020, Stanley announced his retirement as senior pastor and transition to pastor emeritus, but noted that he would continue to work at In Touch Ministries.16 *Influences and theologyedit. With regard to theology Stanley was a conservative evangelical,175 and his eschatology was dispensationalist.18 Over the course of his ministry, Stanley developed 30 Life Principles that he felt were essential.1920 He credited his pentecostal grandfather, George Washington Stanley, with inspiring one of the most referenced principles of the thirty: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.21 In his book Courageous Faith: My Story from a Life of Obedience, Stanley said: Granddad told me, Charles, if God tells you to run your head through a brick wall, you head for the wall, and when you get there, God will make a hole for it.22 *Stanley also addressed his influences and philosophy when he wrote in 2009 that he began to apply the principles of Napoleon Hills Think and Grow Rich to my endeavors as a pastor, and I discovered they worked!… For years, I read it every year to remind myself that the truth of God is not just for one career field. It is for all manner of work and ministry.23 *Personal lifeedit. Stanley had a daughter named Becky.24 Stanleys son, Andy, is the pastor of North Point Community Church in nearby Alpharetta.25 In addition to his work in Christian ministry, Stanley was an avid photographer. Much of his photographic work is featured in the In Touch magazine, as well as in other materials printed by the ministry including the In Touch wall and desk calendars.1426 *Anna J. Stanley was married to Charles Stanley Jr. for more than 40 years
- she filed for divorce on June 22, 1993, after they separated in the spring of 1992. The two of them agreed that Anna would amend the lawsuit to seek a legal separation instead (separate maintenance), while seeking reconciliation. She again filed for divorce on March 20, 1995. The Moody Radio Network station in Atlanta (then-WAFS) took Stanleys daily broadcast off the air during the time, as managers concluded that there was no sign of reconciliation.27 The Stanleys were legally separated at the time that divorce papers were filed for the last time on February 16, 2000. A judge signed the final divorce decree on May 11, 2000.282927 *Their divorce caused a minor controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention. The matter was complicated by reports that Stanley had said he would resign as pastor if he got divorced. At the time of their separation, he said he did not believe it would result in divorce
- however after he was divorced, the members of his church overwhelmingly voted to keep him as their pastor. According to First Baptist Atlantas bylaws, Stanley was allowed to remain as pastor as long as he did not remarry.3027 Anna Stanley died on November 10, 2014.31 *Stanley served on the board of the Moral Majority political organization
- he was a close friend of the entitys founder, Jerry Falwell.32 *Deathedit. Charles F. Stanley Jr. died at his home in Atlanta on April 18, 2023, at age 90.5 No cause of death was released.33 *Bibliographyedit. 1980: Making The Bible Clear with Fred L. Lowery ISBN0-961079223
- 1982: Handle With Prayer ISBN0-89693-963-4
- 1985: How to Listen to God ISBN0-8407-9041-4
- 1985: Confronting Casual Christianity ISBN0-8054-5022-X
- 1986: How to Keep Your Kids on Your Team ISBN0-7852-7351-4
- 1989: How to Handle Adversity ISBN0-7852-6418-3
- 1990: Eternal Security: Can You Be Sure? ISBN0-7852-6417-5
- 1991: The Gift of Forgiveness ISBN0-7852-6415-9
- 1992: The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life ISBN0785277471
- 1995: The Love of God ISBN1-56476-532-6
- 1995: The Source of My Strength ISBN0-7852-0569-1
- 1999: A Touch of His Power: Meditations on Gods Awesome Power ISBN0-310-21492-0
- 2000: Success Gods Way ISBN0-7852-6590-2
- 2000: Into His Presence: An In Touch Devotional ISBN0-7852-8013-8
- 2001: The Gift of Love ISBN0-7852-6618-6
- 2001: Our Unmet Needs ISBN0-7852-7796-X
- 2002: Walking Wisely ISBN0-7852-7298-4
- 2002: Winning the War Within ISBN0-7852-6416-7; 2003: Finding Peace ISBN0-7852-7297-6; 2003: God Is in Control ISBN0-8499-5739-7; 2004: When the Enemy Strikes ISBN0-7852-8788-4; 2005: Charles Stanleys Life Principles Bible ISBN1-4185-0572-2; 2005: Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit ISBN0-7852-6512-0; 2005: Living the Extraordinary Life: 9 Principles to Discover It ISBN0-7852-6611-9; 2006: Discover Your Destiny ISBN0-7852-6369-1; 2006: Pathways to His Presence: A Daily Devotional ISBN0-7852-2163-8; 2007: Landmines in the Path of the Believer: Avoiding the Hidden Dangers ISBN1-4002-0090-3; 2008: In Step with God ISBN1-4002-0091-1; 2008: Stuck in Reverse ISBN1-4002-0094-6; 2008: The Power of Gods Love: A 31 Day Devotional to Encounter the Fathers Greatest Gift ISBN1-4002-0093-8; 2008: When Your Children Hurt ISBN1-4002-0098-9; 2010: How to Reach Your Full Potential for God ISBN978-1-4002-0092-4; 2011: Turning the Tide: Real Hope Real Change ISBN978-1-4516-26407; 2012: Prayer: The Ultimate Conversation ISBN978-1-4391-9065-4; 2013: Man of God: Leading Your Family by Allowing God to Lead You ISBN978-1-4347-0547-1; 2013: Emotions: Confront the Lies. Conquer with Truth. ISBN978-1-4767-5206-8; 2013: Walking with God: Thoughts on His Indwelling Spirit, Volume 2 ISBN0529108968; 2014: Walking with God: Knowing God Through Prayer, Volume 3 ISBN0785206965; 2015: Waiting on God: Strength for Today and Hope for Tomorrow ISBN978-1-4767-9403-7; 2015: Christmas: The Gift for Every Heart ISBN9780718042172; 2016: Courageous Faith: My Story from a Life of Obedience ISBN978-1-5011-3269-8; 2017: Finding Gods Blessings in Brokenness: How Pain Reveals His Deepest Love ISBN9780310084129; 2017: Standing Strong: How to Storm-Proof Your Life with Gods Timeless Truths ISBN9781501177392; 2022: The Gift of the Cross Embracing the Promise of the Resurrection ISBN9781400232451; 2022: The Gift of Jesus: Meditations for Christmas ISBN978-1400238866; *Awards and honorsedit. 1988: National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame39; 1989: Named Clergyman of the Year by Religious Heritage of America40; 1993: NRB named In Touch with Television Producer of the Year41; 1999: In Touch named Radio Program of the Year41; 2017: Thomas Nelson Publishing recognizes Stanley for selling more than 3.5 million copies of his books42
Where is Dr. Charles Stanley today?
And Son Andy. Who is the founder. And senior pastor at Northpoint Ministries. Hes been in Ministry longer than 50 years but to stay in the same organization in the same church for 50 years tells.
What were Charles Stanley’s last words?
Obey God and let him take the consequences. That’s the most important thing you can do.
📹 What Anna Stanley Said was the Real Cause of the Divorce from Pastor Charles Stanley
As Christians what have we learnt from Pastor Stanley’s Divorce so that our journey to make heaven is assured. What Anna …
I have a tremendous amount of love and respect for this great man of God. I began listening to Pastor Charles Stanley around 6 years ago and will listen to him until the Lord calls me to rest. He has taught me so much in God’s word and I could never thank him enough. Wishing him nothing but peace and blessings 🙏❣️
Sad. I lived that life. My father who is a pastor neglected us for his church. He was a father to other people’s children & not me or my sibs. It caused a lot of damage to our family, but his rejection was redirection for me as it caused me to desire God who is my Father & so in the end it worked out for me, as it states in Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 🇨🇦
Pastor Stanley did not “step down,” he RETIRED after serving the Lord with utmost integrity for decades. He is an inspiration to us all, we love him and thank him for his service. God surely said, “well done, thou good and faithfull servant.” Thank you Lord for giving us his faithful example of Christianity. Now, if his son Andy would just repent of his apostasy that would be a miracle of God. MARANATHA !!!
I was (briefly) a member of his church during the beginning of this coming to light. I even attended Andy’s beginning as a Pastor at his own church, in the warehouse. The rumors and publicity never once impacted my love and respect for Dr. Stanley, not then and not today. We all make mistakes, even when we are or feel we are doing the right thing. His mistakes have only humbled his spirit for the Lord even more. God bless him and his (adult) children.
I read long ago that Charles told the church board he would step down when the D word came out. They asked for details, and after many hours of prayer, and conversation, the Board asked if he would stay with only one condition : “stay single” …..How interesting that the ministry grew even more under him from that point on, and still does. His Theology is sound, his messages are easy to understand, and lives are still being changed to honor and give Glory to God. Early on, when teaching on trials, etc, his voice would quiver a bit as the pain of Divorce was always present in his mind. Yet he kept faithful to teaching the Word. No on should try to speak on him or Anna. That is between them and God. For those who hold a legalistic point of view of “til death do you part”, Anna died many years ago., so you have no issue or finger to point.
My Christian parents legally separated after 45 years of marriage. It was devastating to our family. Years later my husband and I divorced after 28 years….we were burned out by church and supporting parents living separately. Looking back wish we would’ve been aware of our own needs. Relationships are hard work.
One day, I happen to be listening to Billy Graham on the radio in my car when I was in the parking lot at Lowe’s. It was an old sermon, probably before I was born. It was on SiriusXM. I can’t even tell you why I was listening to him, and as he was preaching he was telling how he would travel the world and spread the good news of God. He spoke about when he got married and had to leave to spread the good news. I thought to myself how my views has changed because I didn’t think it was okay to abandon his family to spread the “good news of Jesus Christ.” Why not remain single. Do you know I kept listening long enough for Billy Graham to say, his biggest regret in life was not spending time with his family. I was astonished.
A.W. Tozer’s books are still popular, but he also neglected his family, but his wife didn’t divorce. Tozer was immersed in the business of his church and left his wife to fend for herself. One of Tozer’s adult children later said he felt like his mother was a single parent. I think this might be more common than we know. It takes a lot of humility to overcome the public adulation from being a religious celebrity, and to stay grounded on the fundamentals – be a servant and attend to essential mundane tasks. Marriage is hard work, paying someone else to do things that you should do personally isn’t good. Pastors face many temptations, especially when its awarded as attending to religious duty. Tozer died relatively young at age 66 and his wife remarried and enjoyed being treated well for the remainder of her life.
Marriage is not for everyone. Love is to be shared & spouses need each other. The wife felt neglected & so the marriage fell apart. That’s why many pastors marriages have fallen apart. It’s easier to preach about marriage than to actually have a healthy & happy marriage. Marriage is hard. It’s only by the grace of God. May God help us all.
My dad worked all the time, and was an over the road trucker for 30 years. My mom had to do much by herself. She struggled as have I with a traveling musician for a husband, as do those who marry doctors, lawyers, and other workaholic types. Waiting for that day when aman will finally be home to spend time with you is a thankless mode of living that rarely ends except with his retirement, illness or death. Even when home these types of men spend scant little time attending to their spouses needs and desires. As my brother has told me many times about love and friendship, if you want a friend, get a dog. I believe him.
I am sad for pastor Stanley and his wife. I hope his wife was able to come to peace with Pastor Stanley before her death. Perhaps my comment will add some peace to some. I and my two siblings grew up in a home where our father dedicated his life to the ministry. I do not belive he did it to hurt anyone, but rather was a workaholic and a first generation Christian and simply didn’t know better!! I married after 4 years of Bible college and my husband and I moved back to where my father (and mother)were in church ministry still. I came to a crossroads as a new bride, teacher for a Christian school and the daughter who carried a lot of pain from the past. I anguished over things like him not coming to my track meets and being home in the evening because he was helping another family. I had several decisions to make- was I going to minister along side my dad and pastor and harbor bitternes? Or was I going to forgive the past that none of us could change and move on in forgiveness? I chose the latter! Praise God we (my husband and I) have now ministered alongside my pare parents since 1986! I give God all the glory and wouldn’t change anything!
19. Matthew 10:37-39 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”
I was married at 18vyrs old. Listening to his sermons the word of God changed my wife and I. We are celebrating our 41st yr of marriage. Marriage isn’t easy, neither is parenting. I understand Pastor Stanley is just a human Beiing. But when he preached and taught I always heard Jesus. I’ll always be grateful for his ministry.
Dr. Charles Stanley, is an amazing individual. He adored and had such respect for his mother. I don’t claim to know anything about his private life, nor is it any of my business. I do know he is an outstanding pastor. Over the years I have heard many preachers, I have narrowed them down to one, Dr. Stanley. He is consistent, preaches with humility, and is beloved by his congregation.
I respect and honor Pastor Stanley. It’s heartbreaking to be separated and eventually divorced. I married my Baptist husband end of 2019. I am also Baptist. It hurts me to say I don’t live with him anymore. I feel shame because I took vows under God my Heavenly Father. My health was declining due to mental abuse from my husband but even then, I didn’t want this separation. I tried so hard to make it work. I’m tired, sad for my marriage. I ask for forgiveness in Jesus name. I leave everything in God’s hands for guidance.
Gods Grace is extended to all of us. No one person is perfect. We all make mistakes. He came to visit our church during his divorce. He was really saddened by all that was happening. Unfortunately I lot of ministers put their churches even before their families. I know he was very humbled by what happened. His preaching always focused on God’s word. I am so glad that God restored the family’s relationships with one another.
As a PK, I will be 70 this November. There is a lifelong fallout of having to share most of your Father And Mother with the church. Well meaning pastors ❤must know that love and charity begin in the home in order to be healthy and productive at the churchhouse. I would admonish any young pastor to balance homelife with church life. Yes, your calling is very important; so is your family. Blessings To The Stanley Family As They Celebrate The Life And Legacy Of This Humanly Great Man Of God.
Pastor Stanely remained a faithful servant of GOD, what ever happened in his personal life was between GOD, Pastor Stanley and his ex wife!!!!!!! I watched pastor Stanley for thirty years, by way of In Touch Ministries!!!! Pastor Stanely’s sermons, his sincerity and his genuine demeanor, captured by attention!!!!!! Rest in paradise/in peace Pastor Stanely, thank you for spreading the word of GOD!!!!!!!
In every marriage that ends it is always because one of them has become a quitter and now wants to move on to pursue their own selfishness and no longer wants to keep their vows that they made before God. Their vows, their family, and God, now take a backseat to their own selfish dreams. That is the definition of divorce. Period.
Billy Graham was gone from his wife, Ruth, and their children over 75% of the time yet Ruth never complained or filed for divorce but counted it an honor to be married to so great a man of God. But these “Christian” women today (like Anna Stanley) have been tainted by the world and act more like overly demanding feminists than they do like “women professing godliness” (1 Timothy 2:10). It’s a dag on shame! smh God bless Dr. Charles Stanley and all the he has done to help me, for almost 40 years, in my walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Dr.Stanley was a major part of my recoveryfrom substance abuse.i have notes from the mid 1980s. Although it took me many years his message from Touchstone Ministries kept me going. He will be missed. I do understand being married to your work. It wS what i thought it took for my value in life. Much has been learned since. RIP Mr Stanley. Thank you for a kind and true message.
People have no idea how SERIOUSLY GOD takes it when people try to discredit, flame fires of gossip, spread lies about his anointed. GOD is big enough to handle every thing in our lives. WE ARE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT. WE DONT DO HIS JOB. It’s so sad to see people in their Pharisee like indignation trying to call people out. This is nothing but being led by Satan. We need to watch the words of our mouths & our motives.
If a preacher, no matter how dedicated or heart wrenching sermons he presents, ignore his loved ones, why should I listen to him ? If a ministry refuses to tend to the poor,sick,widows,orphans,oppressed,homeless,persecuted,elderly who lives alone and other people neglected by society, why should I support this ministry with donations ?
Our first “ministry” is to our family if we have one. Paul said he’d rather we not marry. If people are called to be teachers of the word or pastor they probably should not be married. My ex divorced me because I wasn’t Christian enough. Now they have been married 5 times and have had a couple dui’s.
You guys should read about Billy Sunday.(with all due respect but it’s the truth).Him and his wife neglected their children leaving the nanny to raise them all for their ministry.All of the children died young one son committed suicide,the other died in car accident,etc.I would feel like I’ve failed as a parent.Billy Sunday did regret say he couldn’t save his own children from hell..
I AM a christian and knew nothing about this until now. My mother who passed at 102 in 2019 always watched Dr. Stanley and I with her when we were together. We also watched Pastor Graham and my Dad after his stroke watched Evangelist Jimmy Swaggert. They all brought the message that guided lives. Dr. Stanley’s son Andy has a great message, truly his own, that I now watch…his perspective deeply touches a christian upbringing and the new era. I am humbled to see the marital stress the Stanley’s went thru after living and surviving my own after a 28 year old marriage that failed – my husband put everything before our relationship and I gave up everything to support his work as a coach and teacher. It’s a sad ending yet God would not want any husband or wife to stay together in a relationship of unavailability and emotional or physical harm. God protects us all – no one should judge that until they walk a mile in the other’s shoes. May they both rest in peace – God Bless us all.
I was a member at FBA during the big split. Dr. Stanley was ask to take a year sabbatical and work on his marriage. He refused. His example hurt many marriages at FBA including mine. If only he had taken the year off and worked on his marriage I wonder what could have been. He is prideful and FBA was his idol. The church wasn’t his first responsibility his wife was, then his example to those in his church.
He made the same mistake many Pastors do. He neglected his wife while giving his all to the Church. The Pastor must sit aside time each day for his family, and guard his time with his family as you would guard Fort Knox. Years ago I started to fall into this trap, but God got my attention. I take time and make time with my wife daily, and take one day a week as Sherry’s Day. Unless it is an emergency, I will not take that day away from my wife …. and there are very few emergencies that qualify. As to condemning Charles, we should not. No one is perfect, and we are all broken in different ways, and have different blind spots. God’s grace is sufficient
Charles Stanley once gave a sermon on dealing with people that were just lost and made you feel as though all their problems were because of you, basically describing a narcissist in detail!. i found it very interesting because I was going through that with my wife and he described her to a T… I just heard the news of his divorce and I can’t help but think he was speaking from experience.
Ministry is so demanding and some women are left out on the sidelines. Pastors need to take time out for weeks to be with family and get refreshed. It’s not good for any marriage to be so devoted to ministry & not spend time together with family. Have fun, laugh, try new adventures. There are always substitutes to fill pastors time away. It’s better to take time out then burn out. A broken marriage is a broken heart for everyone. Everyone feels the pain and it takes a long time to recover.
I love pastor Charles Stanley. He has been my teacher that the Holly Spirit guided since 30 years . My family all 3 Generation in South America. Caribbean and the USA, I send his word daily to many many people on line diferente countries. Charles Stanley told us he is not our example but Jesus . Whatever, we all came to Jesus HE CHOOSE US. The old man has die, behold everything is new . Nothing to damage this man of God PASTOR TEACHER APPOINTED BY GOD TO LEAD GENERATIONS TO JESUS. IN TOUCH MINISTRY. 36 years listening . I was 38. All my Family and friends . IN SON IN LOVE, DAUGHTER IN LOVE We know an love an pray for DOCTOR PASTOR CHARLES STANLEY
Without grace of the Lord I could not have made it after my divorce. Was isolated in church where raised my kids I don’t think anyone knew what to do with me or what to say. I felt like I didn’t fit into God’s family but I have healed from that. The Lord is so good explaining my past to others isn’t necessary unless he leads me to tell others for their comfort and encouragement . I never thought less of Dr Stanley or his wife
Pastor Stanleys messages really spoke to me but it always pains me how many pastors feel they need to sacrifice their family in exhange for the ministry. Ilmy husband often says he is proud if myle for being fiercely independent and forging my own ministries and job so he can focus on his own and the children as well, nut hes always there when I need him
There was a book I had to read in seminary about ministry leaders tendency to focus so much on serving in their chosen ministry that they neglect their first ministry, their family. It gave several examples of how not to be. Billy Sunday’s family was a gruesome example of how not to neglect your family. A turn of the century evangelist and his wife put their kids in a boarding school for years while they travelled around ministering. All but one of their 3 or 4 kids died too young in sad ways linked to their terrible upbringing. The book boldly stated God will not step in and be the parent in place of you no matter your ministry ambitions implying one cannot think that fulfilling ministry expectations or ministry goals will exempt one from his or her role in the family. My least favorite example was a missionary to China who went through a couple of wives and buried a couple of his children in pursuit of his ministry goals. His poor first wife did not have a strong constitution and begged him not to force her to go to China with their children. She seemed to know she would die there and she did along with a least one or two of the children I believe. 😢
I hear the ones who are taking up for Charles Stanley say: 1) Charles Stanley helped me during this time, 2) Listening to Charles Stanley talk about such & such Subject and it got me through my situation. 3) There is no better preacher then Charles Stanley. 4) I will listen to Charles Stanley until the day I die. AND SO ON……… The ONLY PERSON anyone should put their TOTAL TRUST in, is JESUS CHRIST!! JESUS helped you through those times! JESUS got you through your situation! JESUS is the best preacher you will EVER hear! JESUS I will LISTEN to you until the day I DIE! Are you listening to yourselves?? You are following Charles Stanley, but are you Chasing after JESUS?? Ministers and Preachers Can not SAVE you! ONLY JESUS CAN SAVE YOU!! Charles Stanley IS NOT GOD!! I know many of you do not mean it in that way, but the way most of you sound saying it, You would think Charles Stanley can do no wrong. Well I hate to tell you all I would think you’re in a CULT saying things in that way. I know who Charles Stanley is, so please don’t comment that I am dumb or stupid!! I know he isn’t a Cultists, but the way everyone is taking up for him, and talking about him, I would think he has one of the biggest cults in the world! Charles Stanley is human like ALL the rest of us. He can make mistakes, teach the wrong things, he may have committed adultery, he may love to drink, he might even like to choke on a big dooby! Charles Stanley is not all powerful……. PUT YOUR LIFE INTO JESUS’ HANDS!
I understand ‘neglect’. I was raised as a Pastors kid. At times I needed a dad but he was too often attending to the needs of the flock. Later in life, I married the most awesome girl. I encouraged her in her quest to be the best she could be. She moved into Pastoral Ministry but sadly she and perhaps my encouragement meant things got out of balance with ‘church’ and our own personal lives. She chose the ‘church’ and walked away. Yes, I was totally devastated. To the point of suicidal. 38 years of marriage flushed down the toilet. Now, I’m trying to rebuild my life. It’s affected my family hugely. I try to continue to live by faith and leave the rest to God.
There’s a very good reason that the scriptures compare the relationship between a husband and wife to that of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5). It says ‘Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for HER to make her holy, washing with the water of the Word.’ To put the ministry ahead of the wife is getting things backwards. To submit fully to Christ on behalf of His wife and serve her as she’s called to serve him, would have opened the way for a more powerful ministry, I would think. I love Charles Stanley’s talks and wisdom, but I often wonder if he would have also received a powerful anointing on top of that for healing and doing the things of the Kingdom as described in scriptures. (These signs will accompany those who believe … they will drive out demons, etc.). Instead it was a teaching ministry only. No laying on of hands, no miracles, no demonstrations of the Holy Spirit’s power; just talking. I think he really missed something by not heeding God’s Word about laying down his life for his wife.
Yes my father was a sbc minister and the church always took up his time. People would also frequently come by the parsonage and stay and stay and stay! We didn’t get to go on vacations ( no money) and mom always has to work so we literally didn’t starve. People actually would say in business meetings that dad shouldn’t get a salary as he was doing the Lords work! I still have trouble with church people as being raised as a PK under a microscope, it was horrible. Dad apologized to me later on after I had married stating he was wrong as he realized how that he neglected us all by always being a church people disposal to our determiner.
This is the story I heard. Andy Stanley (Charlie’s son) was very good friends with another pastor at First Baptist. This pastor was getting divorced because his wife left him. He didn’t do anything wrong; it was his wife that left him. Charles Stanley fired the pastor because he was getting divorced. Andy and the pastor begged to Charles to keep him working in the church, but Charles didn’t change his mind and fired the pastor. A few years later Charles Stanley got divorced. His son Andy went to him and said that he should resign for the same reason he fired the other pastor. He refused to resign. His son (Andy) seeing his father’s hunger for power and authority left the church, broke the relationship with his father and started his own church. Anna left Charles because he was hunger for power and wanted to build an empire. I heard that First Baptist Atlanta was a very country club kind of church, safe place for lukewarm rich Christians. Sadly, Andy Stanley church is the same. A country club kind of church with little commitment required, good entertainment, and safe ground for feel good rich Christians. A friend of mine told me a very interesting story. She went to high school with Andy Stanley. Many years later she moved back to Atlanta and started attending North Point Community Church. She never had a chance to talk to Andy but one day she saw him in a coffee shop and tried to approach him to say “hi”. She said that he was very rude and said that he was busy (hanging out with his rich friend).
just because a man is a wonderful preacher and can manage a church well, does not mean he is a man of God! it is much easier to be a workaholic than to deal with the responsibilities God has given to you in terms of your wife and children. I am a pastor’s wife. he is now retired. I was very fortunate that my husband loved his family and me especially 🙂
Based on this article alone, it seems he loves God more than his ex-wife and that was unacceptable to her. So she initiated the divorce. Not every divorce is mutual. One person might want to stay married and work through the difficulties while the other just wants to leave. In those cases there’s nothing you can do. You definitely can’t stop them because that will be holding them against their will. Anyone who’s been in a relationship know that once the other person decides to leave, that’s it. 1 Corinthians 7:15 KJV “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases…”
My Dad became a Pastor because he made a commitment to God while he was in WW11. My Mom was a school teacher. I know this was very hard for her & him cause I heard both of them with discussions. Both had so much love & faith in God. My Dad passed away in 1972 while I still was in school. My Mom passed in 2014 and gravestone only needed her death date on it. Mom was 94 yrs. ❤❤
There are so many reasons why marriages fail, but I guess it can be summed up to feeling miserable and not liking each other anymore due to disagreements. The unity is lost and loneliness sets in. incompatibility will create arguments and distancing. I believe extroverts should marry extroverts and introverts, introverts. Extroverts need constant outside stimulation while introverts get overwhelmed by it. The extrovert will think the introvert is boring and weak, the introvert will think the extrovert is an insensitive clown. And so on, making each other miserable. My guess is that in this marriage Stanley was the extrovert and his wife the introvert, so they pulled in different directions. When facing problems he would fill-up his life to the top with outside activities and she would just hide, sometimes in a dark room. Since they were both believers and shared the same principles of life, they were able to stay together for many years. But they were unequal yoke at the personality level. They did not find this out until it was too late. Incompatibility should be made evident during courtship and not after having being joined for life.
I love Charles Stanley But God speaks very strongly AGAINST DIVORCE! It’s not about godless gossip or back biting. We can rightly ask why it happened because he’s a public figure and a pastor, the why behind it gives deeper insight into his character and relationship with the almighty.. and if you’re a pastor, that’s important info. if God hate’s divorce, but you’re ok with it, that says something about you and your acceptance of sin. I love Charles Stanley, but there’s a crack in the armour.. I still love him. I’ve learned a lot from him
Many of us know that God has to come first in our lives. Because we fail to come into an intimate relationship with the Father, we only know our work for him. Then we think our ministry has to come first. I fell for that for 38 years. You need to come into an experiential knowing of the Father by spending an hour first thing in the morning. Your wife has to come before your work.
God used Pastor C to lead me to him long ago back in 1992 the night before my beloved grandma died . He has been my Pastor ever since, for God raised me up on TV and radio preachers, praise God for I’ve never been hood enough for a local church. One powerful truth of Jehovah God us hiw you can love someone so much and never even have met them 31 years string in the Lord and I love Pastor C more then words can say only hope one day to meet him before it’s to late ♥️✝️♥️ to God be the glory
It’s very difficult for a Pastor’s wife to be married to a man who really is married to his church or the adulation he receives from his position. Could Charles Stanley have been a narcissist? Poor lady. Too many pastors have so much demanded of them in the ministry & they have no balance, give no time to wives & children. The wife is a single parent. This happens especially if the Pastor is out to make a big name for himself. Charles Stanley was a fatherless child….I think he was a latent homosexual, & never acted upon it. It was unfair to have married Anna at all because he was incapable of really bonding with her❤
He stated he would step down if he couldn’t reconcile with his wife. He didn’t step down. He didn’t fit the Bible’s description of an elder, much less pastor. But after 20 years, he remembered what he said, and that made it a lie. So he finally decided to honor what he said. 20 years, not too long, I guess.
I understand that the church congregation he served were disappointed and it takes time to recover from that, but it’s a mistake to call them ‘his (Dr Stanley’s) followers’. Any Christian worth his salt follows Christ, not a fallible human being. Thank you, so much, for reminding us of something that the Christian community had all but forgotten (dripping sarcasm, in case you were wondering).
So very sad. I never knew this about the Stanley’s. I married a Christian man in 85′. He neglected me and our children. It went on for 10 years. My oldest daughter, at 4 years old wanted to die because ‘ daddy doesn’t love us’. The pain was so much to bare and after 10 years I got free. But the damage was done. We suffered so much that the scars are still here. Both my daughters still suffer and I have been alone. It turned out he was a non practicing homosexual and thought time for him to marry . It’s very common in the church body I found out. ! I still believe in marriage and would love to spend my remaining years with a good man. I know there are many out there.
I remember the announcement in 1993 I was a self supporting gospel seed sower in Japan and receiving monthly teaching cassette tapes from Dr. Stanley free, I gave many of the tapes away to my Ghanaian and Nigerian friends at church in Japan! Now it’s unfortunate that Dr. Stanley refuses to admonish and correct Andy Stanley’s apostasy and heretical teachings!
It’s funny when a person gets saved attends church and Christians all of a sudden expect you to get your sh#t together. Yet, all through the Bible God uses the broken, the outcast, the frowned upon to do great deeds. Charles Stanley, I believe, loved The Lord, loved his wife, loved his family and his church. He was a good man! Most of the time the people who live their lives trying to be perfect are rarely used by God to do anything remotely great. We put put so much emphasis on finishing well that people rarely step out in faith.
This post confused me toward the end…she remained unmarried until her death, but they reconciled and spent time together…confusing. 😢 Forgive me for judging but She had one job…support her husband & raise her children. Modern women opt out of the wife role in order to focus on the children. He wasn’t at church 24/7 …Imma leave this alone. God bless Charles Stanley.
I’ll give my opinion on the statement of this articles and not about what’s really happening behind close door. I think if you are Pastor’s wife, you suppose to support your spouse in his calling, his ministry and his service not to compete and jealous that he is focus his time to the Lord and the church and not too much to you. You did not married to just an ordinary laborer or worker. You are married to a servant of God that has a great responsibility in the Kingdom of God. As a Pastor’s wife, you suppose to know in the first place what you been signed up for. You are a helper, supporter, cheer leader not a demanding spouse about his time. Again guys this is just my opinion please don’t be mad at me 😢
Dr. Charles Stanley is simply a man, regardless of what he has done right or wrong… But God used that man to very clearly help me discern the Word of God. God used him to help me trust someone else in this world who was preaching for Christ, for I had little trust. Helped me receive God’s love better. And now I have accepted God’s call to spread His Gospel. Praise God for everything He has done, is doing, and will do.🙏
JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU!!! I DO NOT CARE HOW SPIRITUAL & HOW RELIGIOUS YOU ARE YOU ARE STILL HUMAN AND CAN AND WILL MAKE MISTAKES IN LIFE… YAH BROUGHT THE FAMILY FIRST BEFORE THE CHURCH…MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS…. THANK YAH…ONE DAY! THERE WILL BE NO NEED FOR MARRIAGES NEITHER NEED FOR DIVORCE..AMEN CORINTHIANS CHAP 7 ALL. JB.shalom
I was thinking about when Jesus said when they were going to stone the woman found in adultery, he said if you are innocent cast the first stone. I cannot judge this man or woman, i for one have a failed marriage, i was far from perfect, we all do things that are wrong and so thank goodness for the forgiveness of Christ, it is so sad it ended that way for them both, but let hope and pray good will come to them has a family, beauty for ashes. I still learn so much form this man, he is one i feel i can trust. and someone who is not so far removed from reality that what he has to say often resonates with me. i hope his family can find peace.
Many of us who have been in ministry for decades have been uncomfortable with the and the way the Stanley’s have chosen to process this sad reality publicly. For whatever it is worth I think it would have served his church and the Body at large better if he had stepped away at least for a period of time to do some serious self-reflection. These men have a tendency to think they are exceptions to what they generally expect of everyone else. This past generation of American Evangelicalism (of which I have been a deep part for over 50 years) has produced a cadre of narcissistic preachers/teachers /pastors who are legends in their own minds and have done much harm in establishing precedents out of sync with the spirit and letter of Scripture.God help us! We are desperate need of a sweeping Revival that centers on holy integrity.
God bless Mr Stanley and his family God is so good to us all only thing that matters is that God knows everything and all things and we are blessed keep pressing and we must be about our father’s business and stay focused on Jesus not on things mess and stuff that doesn’t matter it’s all about the souls and God is love God bless you all
The church is broken at it’s foundation. “Pastors were never meant to have this much power. We should never come week after week to hear one man speak and rule, not even a few men. No! The church is far more equipped than this and the church will remain powerless til it repents of its man worship! Create a position with power and influence and you will attract folks who desire power and influence. It’s that simple!
Pastor Stanley commitment to the Lord cost him a lot.Yes thier hurt and pain for him and his wife.Jesus commitment to save the world cost him his life.Pastor Charles Stanley,s commitment to The Lord has allowed millions to come to Christ.HE and his wife will a great reward in HEAVEN for thier pain.Just as CHRIST REWARD for his suffering is every born again christian.It cost to serve,however the rewards are out of this world.HEAVEN.
im 59 and my ex husband divorced me in 91 i was single for a loooong time til 2019 til i met my soulmate i believe is my real husband my ex just walked out didnt bother telling me about divorce til a lawyer showed up at my door in 91 he was married til 2020 his wife divorced him now hes single i know spiritually im committing adultery but i love my babe and hope to be married soon he is everything ive ever wanted in a partner i heard my ex has cancer so if he passes away i can remarry i hold this scripture close to my heart i told my bf hes understanding an patient an kind too wich is another thing i love about him and hope one day we will be married but i feel so sad for dr charles stanley i hope they migh reconcile its only the enemy anyway God bless him an his family an church 😌❤🙏💐
I was relieved because I felt I was going thru the same thing in my marriage. My husband always has and still puts the children mthe church family and anybody else before me. I know it is wrong but I was taught the only grounds for divorce adultery. I’ve been married since 1976. I am soon to be 70 years old in May 2023. I have put my time in I’d be foolish to leave now. As long as I have 2o floors. My own account my own car I am staying!!!! At least I know what I have and my arms are too short to box with God!🤣
Lord have mercy, I remember when I heard this news. Then I got separated from my then husband in 2006, then officially divorced 11/19/2009.Although the news of he and his wife was quite disappointing to hear 👂 I remember saying..Pastor Charles Stanley got divorced and he’s allright,..I’ll be allright. I was kind devastated and I always wondered why. Similar to my situation. #AlotOf ⛪ stuff etc.. 🙏
To all ladies who married to Pastor, It is never be easy to get married to a man, two becomes one. Let alone be a Pastor wife. Lots challenge would happens, time, financial, attention, all would be divided. When we have a surrender heart, a steadfast heart that makes us continue to serve Him no matter what, knowing that we serve Him not our fleshly desire in any sort of form, we will be able to continue to be in our marriage life and continue to serve Him nomatter what the circumstances are. Always be humbled before God, what can we do to support our husbands ministry. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, never stop doing so.
Charles became a celebrity preacher and he loved it. He also became Dr Charles Stanley . . a title earned or given to the IN preachers and authors to make them seem so intelligent and so godly so as to fool the little believers. He supposedly wrote over 100 books and for what? To prove he was a Super Christian who knows everything?
Yes I have a lot of respect for his ministry, bearing in mind we are not infallible. Divorce is a very difficult process and fortunately there are guidelines for which the christian must follow. I am glad they followed the Bible’s teachings. We have only one husband or wife in this life, unless on of either spouse has passed away, then and only then can they marry again. Even then it does not always work out, however that usually comes from outside forces. Children for instance might object but apart from that it’s outside of their control.
Luke 22:31.32…. And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat “but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”” This verse taught me to pray for all the Preachers of the word of God, when they fall, instead of judging them. Let’s remember they’re still humans and the devil attacks them more. I like Dr Charles, accepting his part in the marriage breaking, it shows a lot of humility in him. David was a man after God’s heart because of his humilityabd this is what Dr Stanley is portraying. May God continue to protect him.
Why is this any of our business? If his marriage ended, it ended. That’s between CS, his wife and God. Unless there was some very deep sin on CS part that makes him unfit to continue to preach the word of God, than that is another story. I believe CS is a very sincere man of God and he is a good pastor. His sermons really speak to me. One of the few TV preachers I would ever listen too. That says alot right there.
I thank Dr. Stanley for his commitment to serve God, and feed God’s sheep. I have come to know, trust, and believe in Jesus because of Dr. Stanley faithfulness to teach God’s word. He has led me and so many more people to Christ, to salvation. I can’t speak on what pain or sorrow you and your family may have been going through, but Jesus knows it all. I pray that I get so close to Jesus that I wouldn’t put anything or anyone before Him. I want to obey God and leave all the consequences to Him. I’m also sorry for the lost of Anna Stanley, my prayers goes out to you and your family. Love you Dr. Stanley, and thank you so much for being a living disciple of Jesus. I’m so grateful to God for you. We need more Disciples like you in this world. One who speaks the truth and there’s no compromising God’s word. Be blessed.
In all honesty, he should have stepped down because he violated one of the requirements and qualifications in Timothy. The requirement is that he must order his home before the church. How can a man order a church if he can’t order his home Timothy asks. Not taking anything away from his preaching, but he should have known better.
Ah, I had always wondered why. Before this all came to light, I recall my mother calling (she always watched Charles Stanley) and telling me that she saw the face of Christ over Charles’ face. She asked me what I thought that meant. I replied that he must be or will soon be going through a very rough time. A year or two later we heard about the breakup. Many married men who gave their lives to Christ in the Bible (and now) went about doing what Christ asked them to do. They had become disciples. When family members get upset about this, I think of Luke 14:26. Charles did put God first. Good for him!
I’m not a Stanley follower but always respected his ministry. I’m surprised at this news. Wasn’t practically the whole point to James Dobson’s ministry…. Stanley’s contemporary…. focus on the family? He taught men should love their wives as Christ loved the church, etc. This was hardly a revolutionary thought and yet CS didn’t get it? Did he ever preach on marriage? Sheesh!
He didn’t step down because of the divorce, that was 20 years prior. He just retired. Why should he have stepped down, she divorced him. She was to to blame for the divorce. Feeling sorry for yourself because your husband is too busy providing for you is not biblical grounds for divorce. This is a cheap shot, you should get a job at the National Enquirer.
hmmm, i have my own thoughts… and i’ll just share but could be so very wrong. i have a “feeling” that charles was more connected (alive or dead) to his mother, and as such, his wife might have felt as if she was 2nd, and not as good as his mom. i would listen to him w/love in his heart towards his mom… like almost in an adoring way, the perfect person way… and while that is good, i think it may have definitely affected how his wife felt. thinking more “leaving” was needed, and more “cleaving” should have happened.
My parents married 58 years until dads passing My in laws married 70 plus years and going My wife and I married 36 years and going, and the going gets better every year God in his word commands a man to love his wife . And commands a woman to honor her husband . PERIOD I f both do this it will work . Even if one does not do this, YOU STILL HONOR GOD BY HONORING THE MARRIAGE COVENANT I’m totally feed up with those in the ministry setting the terrible examples by divorcing breaking Gods ‘covenant ‘ ! ! They do great damage to the body . You will know them by there fruits . STOP IT STOP IT Stop making up excuses STOP MAKING UP EXCUSES
We all are sinners and so we need Jesus. No judgment, but unless divorce reason aligns the Bible, she didn’t have Jesus in her life doing so. I’ve been there so I had to confess to the Lord that I sinned against Him to divorce my ex-husband. God forgave me and I’ve met Him in the midst of my trial. Praise Him.
I honestly do not want to know about Charles Stanley’s personal life. If he really did divorce his spouse then he should have resigned from the pulpit. It is the only correct thing to do. In the Church Of Christ, where I attend, if the pulpit minister divorces his wife, he is force to resign from the pulpit and the elders of the church look for a new pulpit minister to join our church. I think the reason why Mr.Stanley chose not to resign because he was famous and in the spot light.
With such a high-profile ministry as Dr. Stanley undertook, it would seem that his wife was unwilling to lend her unqualified support to his ministry as it began to grow and demand more of his time. This is not surprising. But for any one to conclude that he needed to step down from the ministry so that “… he could get his life in order…” seems unfair. From the so-called facts enumerated here, his life was just super-busy. He was not called out for being an adulterer, or a wife-beater — just a pastor who was placing his ministry ahead of his family. But let’s face it, most congregational “under-shepherds” quite naturally come short of devoting regular, quality time to their families. Anna Stanley evidently wasn’t willing to accept what countless other wives of ministers have accepted, either willingly or grudgingly.
In April of 1997, A man that was in jail for stalking me got out and came to kill me. My 15yr old son got his grandfather’s gun and shot him after not being able to get the man off me. I lost my mind (as I call it) for 2 yrs after. There was no inquisition and my son came home with me that evening. My dad told me to give it all to God and he would cover me till I was ready to take back my sanity. I had been listening to Charles Stanley on BOTT Radio and so it was him that I turned to for support. If it wasn’t for Charles Stanley, they would’ve probably put me in a psychiatric hospital. I am so grateful for this man and I was shocked to hear about him and his wife, but, so glad they found a way could and put the pieces back together babe I
What about all the years Anna Stanley struggled with mental health issues? I would think that played a role in their marraige difficulties not just his work and ministry taking him away from her. Also her problems may have been a huge factor in how she perceived the years of “disappointment and conflict”. Perhaps she would have been better served to act as a partner in the ministry instead of a rival of the ministry. Maybe her issues kept her from being able to do so.
from the late ’80 s through the ’90s, I listened to Dr. C. S. over TWR shortwave. later I’ve come across his mesages over utube etc. I didn’t know about this issue, but I felt that something isn’t right. snd I couldn’t get much from listening. Yes, The Holy Spirit. is the Prompter. People need the “Living Bread” when we don’t deal with conflicts, we are not walking in the light. William Carey’s wife too was mentally sick, but he refused to send her to an “institution”. We are not called to be “comfortable”, but to bear the CROSS. Let’s pray that Ministers and Believers understand this and be willing to bear the Cross. We do not Judge others, but we all have to examine our selves. Blessings.
That’s why the Apostle Paul suggested that men in the ministry stay single… As you can see it caused problems… Sadly he didn’t practice what he preached for many decades… Basically he was living a lie – sad… Pastors have to be honest with their flock, otherwise, some might feel betrayed, and not trust anyone in the ministry…
Unfortunately I met with Andy Stanley twice to ask him to do church discipline (1 Corinthians 5) on my adulterous husband, and he refused. He knew full well that my husband was a member of his church, cheating on me and divorcing me. Andy even baptized the adulteress the week before they got “married.” The Bible says that if divorced you can’t remarry as long as your spouse lives which is why Anna Stanley did not remarry and why I haven’t remarried since 2008. My website teaches the Bible truth about divorce, and Andy does not teach the truth. Those who teach false doctrine are going to be judged harshly- James 3:1. My website has done several articles about Andy Stanley. Jesus is Lord. Maranatha.
Not everyone is cut out to be the wife of a pastor or an evangelist. Ruth Graham had it tougher than most; but she was committed to her husband and and his commitment to evangelize the world. I am not a fan of Billy Graham, but I admire his wife’s determination to make Jesus Christ the center of her home, and her husband and marriage a priority. If you need a lot of attention and tending, then being a preacher’s wife is probably not for you.
I’m glad to hear that Charles and Anna eventually got back together. However, I don’t think the state needs to be involved in the divorce or marriage business. It’s just a way for the state to continue extorting people in more tax money, and further control their lives. Furthermore; if a Christian man needs a government piece of toilet paper to tell him how to be a father to his children or a good husband to his wife; then he isn’t mature enough to be married in the first place.
I don’t know all the details obviously. But I hope Pastors can learn to say NO to people outside their family more often. they are not Jesus. People can go to half the counseling their Pastor gives, have him spend more time with his fam, and they spend that extra time not at counseling but instead praying and reading the Bible with their own fam. God works through fallen people. No man no woman is perfect. Only God is perfect. So I do not agree that a pastor should be shamed or asked to step aside if they have been divorced. BUT I hope Pastors can have a revival to see that ministry to their own family is powerful obedience to the Lord. See how the Lord loves us? Let husbands love their wives the way Christ loves the church. Let wives respect their husbands. And let parents love their kids the way God loves His kids (ie us)—God spends abundant time correcting us, comforting us, and training us. Let us uplift and invest in our spouses and kids ! Church is important of course but nothing is so important that it should lead to sin (ie the sin of neglecting our fam). You know I don’t know of course how much time Pastor Stanley did or didn’t spend with his wife. I don’t know. I appreciate his great teachings of the Bible. I don’t want to disrespect him. I just hope Pastors do not neglect their fam in the name of serving other families.