Ray McCauley - May Commit Same ‘Sin’ Again!
29 February, 2008 — DeborahIn 2000 - Pastor Ray McCauley at Rhema Church in South Africa said he did not believe in divorce and called it a sin and then divorced his first wife, Lyndi. The dust had barely settled when Ray McCauley married his new wife, Zelda and now it seems they might be getting a divorce as well.
I wonder, if after the second divorce, if ‘the board’ will ask him to step down as a minister, as a minister is supposed to set a good example based on the Word of God. Or is the board of directors quite happy to keep him there for they themselves (incl. Ray McCauley) want the congregation led astray?
http://www.news24.com/City_Press/News/0,,186-187_2250924,00.html
“A SECOND divorce seems imminent for Rhema Bible Church leader Pastor Ray McCauley (57).The widely publicised marriage between McCauley and his wife Zelda seems to have hit rock bottom and the couple have separated.Sources say Zelda has instructed her lawyer, Kevin Hacker, to institute divorce proceedings against the wide-chested pastor. Hacker and McCauley’s lawyer, Billy Gundelfinger, were this week locked in meetings to map a way forward.Rhema Church and McCauley’s spokesperson Vusi Mona is not giving away much.“I can confirm that Pastor McCauley and his wife are having marital problems and have temporarily separated.
“We must emphasise that Pastor McCauley and the Rhema Bible Church do not believe in divorce. To this end there are attempts to work on a reconciliation and McCauley is a willing party to those attempts,” says Mona.
In 2000, when he was going through a divorce from his first wife, McCauley said he did not believe in divorce and called it a sin.
Both lawyers refuse to divulge details of the divorce but Gundelfinger says the charismatic church leader wants to “pursue counselling in order to effect reconciliation”.
Though McCauley has not yet been served with a summons it is understood that his estranged wife remains adamant about the divorce.
One of the problems seems to be Zelda’s relationship with the church’s elders. Sources say the elders have been briefed about the problem and are reportedly in favour of McCauley going back to his first wife, should the divorce go ahead. McCauley was divorced by his first wife, Lyndie, in 2000. Within a couple of months he married Zelda. Lyndie is now living in Florida, US.
According to controversial pastor Dr Agrippa Khathide of the Apostolic Faith Mission of SA, rumours of the divorce have been doing the rounds in religious circles and “everyone had been hoping it was not true”.
“Divorce for anyone is unfortunate because it is a violation of that one-flesh reality that God wanted. You cannot share a life with someone for some time and remain unscathed when you divorce,” says Kathide, who uses sexually explicit sermons to save troubled marriages.
“A church is a custodian of good values and to see its leaders divorcing might bring pessimism among members.”
Khathide, who describes the affair as an attack on marriage, believes it would be preferable for McCauley to go back to his first wife should the divorce go ahead.
“There are no guarantees. Should he marry another woman it might become an unending circle of marriage and divorce. If he goes back to his first wife it will bring healing to many marriages,” says Khathide, the author of Bone of my Bones, a book tackling marriage problems.
The Church is expected to announce the pastor’s separation from his wife to Rhema’s approximately 40 000 worshippers this morning.”
1 Timothy 3 v 1-7
1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.
4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity
5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),
6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
29 February, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Hi Deborah,
5 Mo 24,4″…then her first husband, who divorced her, is NOT ALLOWED to marry her again after she has been defiled.”
I am afraid this Rhema Church has a problem with logos, not to speak of rhema.
They could start with this one : ” BE HOLY ,BECAUSE I AM HOLY !
4 March, 2008 at 8:01 am
Who are you to judge others? If you know your bible very well, you will know that it’s against the bible to talk bad about pastors. Did you ever stop to think that your pastor is a gift from God? I once heard a wonderful sermon from a visiting preacher who spoke on James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” He said that perfect gifts from God were things like our salvation, our King James Bible, and the Holy Spirit Who lives inside us. The “good gifts” are all the other not quite so perfect, but still mighty good gifts, such as our parents, our spouses, and our children. Our pastors are also a “good gift” from God Himself! The Bible says in Jeremiah 3:15: “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart”! I don’t know about you, but that gives me an even greater appreciation & respect for my pastor!
4 March, 2008 at 10:22 am
So you think it’s ok for your pastor to get a divorce, as if once is bad enough, then a second time? Please quote out of the bible where it says it’s ok to do this?
Secondly, do you disagree with this scrpture?
1 Corinthians 5 v 9-13
9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;
10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.
11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler–not even to eat with such a one.
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?
13 But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.
4 March, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Khanyisa,
our precious bible says in Mathew chapter 23 :
“Everything they (woe to the teachers of the law) do is done for men to see…they love the place of honor…and to have men call them ‘Rabbi’… YOU HAVE ONLY ONE MASTER AND YOU ALL ARE BROTHERS… nor are you to be called teacher, for you have ONE TEACHER THE CHRIST. ..For whoever exalts himself, will be humbled…
(JESUS speaking)
Are you in a Jeremiah-Cult ? -or do you belong to Jesus Christ,
who does not allow us, to have a pastor as yours.
Who loves me, says Jesus, OBEYS MY COMMANDMENTS.
Another order of Jesus is, not to divorce.
17 March, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Another order of Jesus is, not to commit adultery
17 March, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Hi Anonymous
I hear ya loud and clear on that one!
17 March, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I don’t think that ‘the board’ has any power to decide. In most of these mega-churches where the name of the ministry is the preacher’s name or where the preacher is synonymous with the church, nepotism is present. The families are in control. Anybody speaking out against them, has a very hard time.
In this case, Ray McCauley has held on so tightly to that pulpit. Except for overseas pastors and other language pastors, VERY rarely has he let one of his pastors preach. Lyndie only preached 1 sermon. He has not trained up a “Timothy” like Paul.
Surely there are Prophets, teachers etc in his church, but that might threaten him and his popularity with his followers. They might be better!
“His followers” reminds me of 1 Corinthians 1:11
“11 My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?” NIV
The Bible clearly states in
1 Tim 5:19& 20
19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly; SO THAT THE OTHERS MAY TAKE WARNING.
Leading onto: -
1 Tim 5:21 - TO THE ‘BOARD’
“21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.”
Not because he is your friend, or knows your sin, or is your meal ticket.
People support McCauley still because they do not feel so bad about their own sin, because HE DID IT and got away with it, therefore so can I.
I would hate to be married to or going to marry someone from his church because in the back of his mind, the man will see an open door and to leave me high and dry too. Adultery and divorce in the pulpit is not for a church, who as you say is the custodian of moral values.
It is a shame on the leadership of that Church and their own sins are keeping them from removing him as in your scripture above 1 Cor 5:13. Or maybe we should feel sorry for them, because McCauley has set himself up as King, and they go by the ‘do not touch my anointed’ line. Not that anyone is trying to kill him for his sin, maybe for his money, yes. Their understanding of that scripture is faulty in relation to a man who has a spiritual gift like others, yet DESIRES to be a pastor.
17 March, 2008 at 5:59 pm
hi…
we should never forget the love of God..sometimes we become so hard with scripture that when we speak, we speak as accusers..what pastor ray has done may be wrong, but let us never forget to love him and pray for him his family and his children, not only him but all leaders..and let us not forget to that we all sin…i do believe that he needs to seek God and have the humility to do the right thing as a Christian…but i am always concerned when Christians start using the bible as a baseball bat bashing at each other..let us be weary that in our rebuking that we do not disqualify ourselves, and let us always speak with love, and extend grace..u never know when u will be on the recieving end..God Bless you and may the love he shows you be extended through you
24 March, 2008 at 7:52 am
I have thought very long on your comments and examined my heart before God. I have removed the BEAM in my own eye, overcome through Jesus and it has healed, once I was blind, but now I see as clearly (as possible). I beat my body from sinning against God as Paul in 1 Cor 9:27 so that I may not disqualify for the prize. All scripture is God breathed and useful for rebuke, amongst other things, and will not return to Him void. It penetrates through soul and spirit, joints and marrow (Heb 4:12). Just as the Israelites did not want to hear God speaking directly to them, people don’t want to hear God speak through His Word now. They want to read books about the Bible, but not read the Bible itself. There is no sugar coating.
I do pray for him and his family in a personal capacity and pray that he will be strong through the consequences that run their course which God does not always take away when he forgives us and are covered by the blood. It is so sad that he is taking the ‘rewards’ in this life, forfeiting eternal rewards. Matt 6:1-3. God’s love is a given, He loves the sinner but hates the sin (if your hand makes you sin, cut it off, that is how serious God is). The example set for the sheep is what I pray for most.
I prayed for boldness for the Lord and have received it. My tone, attitude and indignation are the same as Paul when confronting sin in the Church. (2 Cor 7:8-10)
If I don’t received mercy at some point, for the Lord’s sake, I am prepared for it. My house is built on the rock and in Jesus strength, I will stand. Men can only kill the body, but I only fear the Lord. So if I die, I gain, for I am more heavenly minded (Rev 22:14) and (no earthly good?) and full of the joy and peace of the Lord despite trials.
1 Corinthians 4:1 – 5
4 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
My own concern is for the sheep that are following a shepherd that has fallen and broken his leg in rocky territory in the ways of the world. This shepherd is not going to be around to ‘defend’ them on judgment day.
Jude 17:23
23 SNATCH OTHERS FROM THE FIRE and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—HATING even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Another Christian saved by Grace
25 March, 2008 at 4:09 am
To: Christian saved by Grace
On further reflection, you are right, the Scriptures need to be given in love, tempered with mercy.
Trying to grow in love.
25 March, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Interesting kids we are! wielding the sword of the spirit (two-edged). one edge cuts to kill, one edge cuts to heal. One edge for the LAW, one edge for GRACE. one edge covered with the Blood of Jesus, the other gleaming with judgement. When a brother sins against me, what do I do?Cut to kill him with the law, or cut to heal with grace and mercy? or does love no more cover a multitude of sins. Imagine rather spending this energy in pleading his case with our Father to bring reconcilliation and therefore glory to Jesus. I thought that men would know we are His disciples if we love one another. I can’t wait for every morning to thank Him because His mercies are new and I need it badly. Imagine waking up in His image! Wow, how cool will that be?Imagine not losing my temper and having control over my tongue. Imagine really being able to listen to the Holy Spirit…
26 March, 2008 at 4:51 am
Hi Daniel
You know, when a pastor who is supposed to be an example to the people does things like this, he should step down and let someone else take over. People seem to think I am attacking Ray, but I am not. The fact remains - 1 Timothy 3 v 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and this is true.
I am concerned for Ray McCauley and for the people who sit in the congregation, for these are the ones who are led astray because if the pastor can do these things, then surely so can I? Does Ray not realise this? I hope he does one day and I hope the Holy Spirit speaks to him about this.
I never wrote that article, News24 did. Now if this is what the unbeliever thinks the church is all about no wonder we as Christians are perceived in the same light as a bunch of clowns in a circus. Satan achieved his objective; destroyed the pastor’s integrity, confused the congregation and made sure unbelievers are aware of the situation and that many would never come to Christ because of it. Sin does not just have ramifications on the sinners life but it affects others around you. In this case, more so because he is a pastor.
It’s really really sad.
27 March, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Hi
To Filly..you sound like a solid christian..God bless u for ur wisdom and humility….
to all other christians..what the world needs now more then ever is the LOVE of God…i have come to realise there are some things that will not keep us out of heaven but we need to give an account to the Lord one day for the things that he has entrusted us to do… the entire Law, the entire bible is based on love, we are instructed to love the Lord with everything and love our neighbours as we love ourselves…we are not to tolerate sin, but ours is to build each other, correct one another in love, lift up those that have fallen and let Christ be the judge of His church…think about how christ treated sinners, and even the repentant..the samaritan women, the women caught in adultery, peters betrayal..who did he rebuke, those that new the word, quote the scriptures, but did not have compassion..think about David,..we are not too condone sin, but let us always be known for our compassion to the sinner, the prostitute, the homosexual, ..this raises temperatures immediately because these are considered to be the outcast…we always say hate the sin but love the sinner..but do we really act like we love the sinner, some of us do not know how to seperate them..God bless you all and may his grace be extended to your weakness as you seek to please him
27 March, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Hi A Christian saved by Grace
Please read my comment above yours, if you haven’t already.
30 March, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Dear All,
Having gone through your comments above, I conclude. We are all saved by grace not by works. Thus making us sinners who do not qualify to stand before God, yet His grace makes us qualify to stand before Him and offer our praises in the midst of our weaknesses.
If we accept this biblical truth, it therefore follows that, we are all sinners and we have all sinned and have fallen short of God;s grace. Yet through His kindeness bought us back into the Kingdom.
Therefore, we ought not to judge anyone in their weaknesses and troubles. Whether they are pastors or mere brotheren, as we understand grace in a true sense of the word.
Therefore bretheren we ought to love one another just as God loved the world. Love according to Corinthians is kind, it is gentle, it is not self seeking, it does not keep a record of wrongs, it covers a multitude of sins etc.
I love Pastor Ray and his wife Zelda, not because they are perfect or doing good but because they are part of the family I belong to, the Kingdom family.
2 April, 2008 at 3:03 am
To a Christian saved by Grace
Thank you for your kind words but it would be amiss if I did not apologize to Ray McCauley and others for some of my humanistic opinions on this blog and I hereby do so. Please consider Matt 18:28
As iron sharpens iron, so one Christian sharpens another, this proverb is quite apt in what Daniel Wagner is saying. Iron is a good metaphor because it is tough and hard as the human fleshly nature is.
Further, I believe that the world needs is to be loved enough to tell them about Jesus, to make disciples, so that through Him, they can get free. Gal 3:17
To Ncebs
Please consider Hebrews 10:26-31 and 1 Cor 5:12-13. Also, judging favorably is still judging. Weaknesses are not sins until they are acted upon.
2 April, 2008 at 3:52 am
A Christian saved by Grace
I meant Matt 18:28 for Ray. Sun 30/3
It is so sad that this site has been necessary in the first place. It is so easy to stumble in some fashion.
Thank you Deborah