How do Pastors & the church handle Muslims married to multiple wives once they get saved?
Q: Recent Statistics say 30k muslims come to Christ annually in USA, which is great. But, How are we to think and counsel the men (or married women) who have multiple wives in Arab /other countries who now reside here, or move them here? The believer may have green card or are becoming citizen, or are a citizen. It's not biblical to have more than one wife, and we dont condone polygamy here, nor would we accept that from a biblical stand point of God's design. How do we address this with the Muslim?
A: I would not be surprised as most Muslims who come to America are college age or young adults and are already unsatisfied with Islam.
Not an important point, but most Muslims men do not have 10 wives, most have 3-5. A a Missionary with Muslim People Groups for several years noted this is a complicated question. As far as becoming US Citizens, no need to stop them, especially if they have converted to Christianity. Most still bring their wives, if they have multiple, and help lead them to Christ.
He noted they counsel those who convert and have multiple wives in Africa to live with the other wives "as sisters" and no longer sleep with them. We also advise against divorce, but if the extra wives want to leave, dont stop them, let them go so you can live in God's peace.
They also tell them that they can not be Pastors for sure, & discuss some questions about what leadership roles they can't have in the local church, but how they can serve in other ways.
Footnotes
(1) This was an answer by a missionary, not from this blog. A pretty good answer too.
