Leading While Divorced: Leadership Development in the Local Church

June 19, 2026

Leading While Divorced: Leadership Development in the Local Church

Jannine Bell | 2026

Abstract

Unfortunately, divorce is widespread in today’s society. It is never the expected outcome of marriage but is a growing reality for the church and its leaders. This rising statistic proves that no one is excluded and identifies a need for discussion and action by the church. There is a gap that exists between the values expressed in the Bible regarding marriage and the practical realities of divorce in the church. Therefore, this qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of divorced church leaders. During the data collection process, semistructured interviews were conducted with eight participants who provided an in-depth look into their lived experience as a divorced church leader. The findings revealed the multidimensional effects of divorce on leaders. Key themes identified were divorce as an identity-shattering lived experience, institutional silence and inconsistent care, self-directed healing and leadership reformation, theological reconstruction— from legalism to grace, and advocacy for a more compassionate human-centered church. This study fills a gap in existing literature and provides insight to assist the church in ways to support and develop an effective plan for guiding divorced or divorcing church leaders in leadership development. This study shows how a devastating event in life, such as divorce, provides an opportunity for the church to fulfill a core mission and foundational function: ministering to hurting people.

Keywords: Church Leadership, Divorce and Church Leadership Development, Divorce in Church, Leadership Development

Request Information

"*" indicates required fields

URL

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Online or On Campus*

Online

On Campus

On Campus Degree Type*

Online Degree Type*

Choose a Program*

This program is designed for registered nurses looking to advance their degree. A valid, unencumbered RN license is required to apply.

RN License Confirmation*

I currently hold a valid RN license

Don't have your RN license yet? Explore other Regent programs.

High School Graduation*

Are you an employee or the spouse/dependent of an employee?*

Employee

Spouse/Dependent

Are you a JCI USA member or benefitted employee, or the spouse/dependent of an employee?*

Employee/Member

Spouse/Dependent

Email Address*

Company*

Agency*

Employee's Company*

Employee's Agency*

Company Email Address*

Agency Email Address*

Your Email Address*

Employee's Company Email Address*

Employee's Agency Email Address*

Employee's First Name*

Employee/Member's First Name*

Employee's Last Name*

Employee/Member's Last Name*

Your Email Address*

First Name*

Last Name*

I live outside the US

Address*