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.
Muriithi, E (2021). Pastoral Marital Programmes Used Among Members Of Redeemed Gospel Church In Embu County, Kenya. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/pastoral-marital-programmes-used-among-members-of-redeemed-gospel-church-in-embu-county-kenya
Muriithi, Elizabeth "Pastoral Marital Programmes Used Among Members Of Redeemed Gospel Church In Embu County, Kenya" Afribary. Afribary, 01 Jun. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/pastoral-marital-programmes-used-among-members-of-redeemed-gospel-church-in-embu-county-kenya. Accessed 07 Sep. 2024.
Muriithi, Elizabeth . "Pastoral Marital Programmes Used Among Members Of Redeemed Gospel Church In Embu County, Kenya". Afribary, Afribary, 01 Jun. 2021. Web. 07 Sep. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/pastoral-marital-programmes-used-among-members-of-redeemed-gospel-church-in-embu-county-kenya >.
Muriithi, Elizabeth . "Pastoral Marital Programmes Used Among Members Of Redeemed Gospel Church In Embu County, Kenya" Afribary (2021). Accessed September 07, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/pastoral-marital-programmes-used-among-members-of-redeemed-gospel-church-in-embu-county-kenya