By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Church and State.

What would you do if the pastor you trusted turned out to be married to more than one woman? That unsettling scenario sparked a candid conversation on the latest installment of the Church and State series, where host Caleb Collier invited Reverend Riley Palmer of Spokane County’s Adopted Church to discuss the hidden challenges facing today’s congregations.

Polygamy and the Pulpit: A Moral Crossroad

Palmer’s admission that his husband, referred to as “our prophet,” has a second wife set the tone for a frank exchange. He introduced his brother‑in‑law, describing her as his “prophet wife and my sister in marriage.” The revelation prompted Collier to ask, “When your pastor is… Polygamous, as she put it…?” While the term was mispronounced, the underlying issue was clear: multiple marriages are a biblical no‑go, and the couple’s situation raised immediate concerns for believers.

Palmer acknowledged the controversy, noting that such personal choices “might readily identify that I should be moving on to a different congregation.” He did not shy away from the tension, stating that the reality of a polygamous pastor is “obvious biblical no‑go,” and that confronting it is essential for the health of the church.

Beyond the Headlines: The Real Crisis of Biblical Illiteracy

Shifting from personal conduct to doctrinal depth, the pair agreed that many Christians today own multiple Bibles yet rarely open them. Palmer observed, “the most pressing spiritual issue of our day is that Christians… have on average three to four Bibles inside the home and nobody picks them up.” He criticized the popular SOAP method—Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer—for encouraging “tiny bite‑sized pieces” that cause believers to miss the broader narrative of Scripture.

Both guests urged a return to reading larger sections of the Bible, urging listeners to grasp the “shape” of each book. Palmer illustrated this with Jeremiah 29:11, explaining that taken out of context it becomes a “feel‑good” promise, whereas in its original setting it warned exiled Judah of impending judgment. The conversation highlighted how selective reading can distort theological understanding.

The Pastor’s Pressure Cooker: Growth Versus Faithfulness

Palmer confessed that many pastors, himself included, measure success by congregation size. He likened pastoral effectiveness to a bricklayer checking whether walls fall, saying, “how do I know that I’m doing a good job? Is my church growing?” This growth‑centric mindset, he warned, can eclipse the core mission of discipleship.

Collier echoed this, noting that even well‑meaning leaders can become “stoned together” when they prioritize expansion over doctrinal fidelity. The dialogue suggested that the pursuit of numbers often leads churches to compromise on biblical standards, creating a slippery slope where personal scandals become more likely.

Community Impact: When Leadership Falters, the Flock Feels It

Spokane County residents listening to the conversation expressed a mix of shock and curiosity. The discussion underscored that a pastor’s private life is not isolated; it reverberates through families, school ministries, and the broader community that looks to the church for moral guidance.

Palmer, who also serves as academic dean at a local school, emphasized the responsibility of educators and religious leaders to model integrity. He warned that unchecked personal issues can erode trust, prompting congregants to “move on to a different congregation” and leaving a spiritual vacuum in the community.

Finding a Way Forward: Practical Steps for Congregations

Both men offered concrete suggestions for churches grappling with similar dilemmas. First, they urged leaders to conduct regular, holistic Bible studies that go beyond isolated verses. Second, they recommended transparent accountability structures within church leadership, ensuring that personal conduct aligns with scriptural teaching.

Finally, they called on believers to balance the desire for growth with a commitment to biblical truth, reminding listeners that “healthy churches grow” when they are rooted in sound doctrine, not merely in numbers.

The conversation on Church and State serves as a reminder that faith communities must confront uncomfortable truths head‑on, lest personal failings become systemic problems.

The full episode of Church and State is available on OBBM Network TV.