IPHC adopted a change regarding divorce and remarriage at the 1989 General Conference. This change was made based on a study commission of the pertinent Biblical text, including the passage in Timothy. The church's position is that if a person was divorced and/or remarried prior to adult conversion, their actions prior to becoming a Christian should not disqualify them. The church study also showed that the meaning of "husband of one wife" has been variously interpreted over the past two thousand years to include the view that IPHC adopted at the 1989 General Conference.

Sadly, divorce has impacted many in the Christian community. IPHC does not believe this view lowers the standards of the church; rather, the church believes it emphasizes the power of grace and the importance of discipleship among couples and families.