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You've set the bar kinda high!!

No, I did not set the bar. God set the bar, in His Scripture, and the oft repitition magnifies the force. That constraint was set in the Garden, and has never been relaxed.

You can either take the standards as they were given, and have not changed, or you can refuse.

You choice will be seen by all at the judgment seat of Christ, if that is to be where your works will be evaluated and rewards determined.

For me, I was separated in 1971, and divorced in 1972, against my will. However, choosing against being remarried is entirely within my purview. It would have been very easy to slip away from God's standard in a couple of instances, but He kept me from making a big mistake. And I do like girls. A lot. I spent from 1972 tom 1979 exclusively focusing on high-level technical career as well as gaining and exercising custody of my four children. In 1980-84 I let my attention slip, but the Lord pretty seriously disciplined me for that. But since, there has been not even a casual meeting with infatuation potential since 1984. And God has blessed again and again in every sphere.

I realize that I can now not ever Scripturally qualify as a pastor, elder, or deacon, but I am not banned from evangelism, teaching, or discipling. Neither would Stanley be, the way I understand it, should he conform to clear Biblical standards, by recognizing that God has dismissed him from the pastoral, elder, or deacon roles, accepting this state, and continuing on in celibacy.

Until then, IMHO he is not fit to teach or disciple anyone, either, until he becomes obedient to the determined will God has shown to us in His Word.

Do not think for one minute that Dr. Stanley is not setting an extremely poor example to those expecting a godly response from him to the circumstances unilaterally imposed on him by his wife. The longer he delays this decision, the worse the effect it will have on his admirers looking to him to do the right thing so they can copy.

What would you have him do?

"Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. . . ." (Heb. 2:1)

Agreed. It is a tall order of developing the nine-faceted qualities of the fruit of the Spirit--the character of Christ--especially that of self-control, for both members of the marital union serving the local assembly as elders and counselors. As you can see, the children of such a couple must be trained from the womb to prepare them for the support of and integration into their parents' ministry, and for their own.

In fact, this is the order for imitation by all believer-disciples. In fact, it is in this area that the paradigm of celibate priesthood and paedobaptism regeneration produces individuals so spiritually stunted through lack of application to ones own family that they cannot display the qualities necessary for carrying out the Great Commission by first discipling one's own children successfully into spiritual rebirth and personal maturity.

I encourage you to go and meditate on this conundrum for a while. Take your Authorised Version English translation with you, and start by memorizing and pondering on Psalm 128, especially verse 1.

With respect --