Pastoral Marital Programmes Used Among Members Of Redeemed Gospel Church In Embu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Marriage is a social-cultural phenomenon which is biblically rooted as well as God

instituted. In our contemporary society, many marriages; Christian and non-Christian

alike face marital challenges which often call for a pastoral intervention from the

pastoral leadership, especially among Christians. This phenomenon, no doubt,

prompted the researcher to undertake this study, study on pastoral marital

programmes used to address marital challenges in Redeemed Gospel Church (RGC) in

Embu County, Kenya. In view of this, the purpose of this study was to look into RGC’s

pastoral interventions on marital challenges with the sole aim of finding better ways of

addressing the test. To achieve this objective, the following specific study objectives guided

the research: To examine marital challenges among RGC Christian families in Embu

County, Kenya, to study pastoral marital programmes in place to address marital

challenges in RGC Embu County, Kenya, to explore ways in which Christian families

in RGC in Embu County address marital challenges and to find out the perceived

benefits of pastoral marital programmes among Christian families in RGC, Embu

County. RGC was considered an appropriate study location because of her mission of

“reaching the unreached with the word of God” and its endeavour to manifest its

mission beyond ecclesiastical boundaries. Further, the study used the structural

functional theory in its theoretical framework. In its design, Qualitative approach was

the determinant design that was applied. The total population of the two churches

sampled for the purposes of this study had1464 people. The study sample comprised

of 171respondents. The target population included one bishop, two pastors, 6 church

elders, 48 married men and 84 married women. Besides, thirty children from families

of the married men and women respondents were also included in the study. Purposive,

random and snow ball sampling techniques were used. Data was collected through

questionnaires, interview schedules and focus group discussions (FGDs) in order to shed light

on issues under investigation. The recorded interviews were transcribed into a narrative

form. The data collected was analyzed, synthesized and eventually interpreted. The

results were presented in bar graphs, pie charts, tables of frequency distribution and

percentages. The study found out that there are marital challenges among RGC

Christian families in Embu County despite RGC having established pastoral

programmes that are meant to address the challenge therein. The study concludes that

the prevailing marital challenges are likely to be addressed if the church adequately

improves her methods of teaching PmPs. There is an urgent need to revisit and

adequately reconstruct the methodology in teaching PmPs. This will be through

involving knowledgeable people such as teachers, increasing learning sessions, creating more

forums for PmPs, improving topic selection to ensure more learning on better ways of

addressing marital challenges and encouraging church members to consult their pastor and the

church elders for premarital and post marital guidance and counselling. The church should

encourage Home Bible Churches (HBC) within its members. Through HBC, people

can learn how to respond to marital challenges biblically and may possibly be able to

deal with problems in their early stages. Transition rites of passage programmes need

to be put in place. They can possibly facilitate the kind of FLE necessary for every

group in the church. RGC should establish marital pastoral centres run by trained

personnel for each congregation. In these centres, church members and the general

public can seek pre-marital and post marital guidance and counselling.