Last week, Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP) Mangochi church graduated 12 couples at the end of a marriage seminar. To understand marriage seminar, our Correspondent AYAMBA KANDODO talked to the church’s Reverend Lazarus Kadango. Excerpts:
Kadango (in gown) presenting a certificate to one of the couples as Chifisi and wife (C) look on
It is a seminar which is arranged for people or couples to empower them with information about the marriage institution. The seminar encompasses a number of topics, including couples’ testimonies of their daily endeavours in a marriage such as sex, economic challenges, family conflicts and HIV and Aids, among others. The purpose of marriage seminar or counselling is to teach couples how they can successfully live together and best ways of raising children. In short, they are lessons that act as therapy to deal with marital problems in families.
Why are marriage seminars important?
To begin with, let me say that marriage is an important institution such that when one finds a partner, it is said in the Bible that he or she has found a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord. With this understanding, the CCAP nurtures marriage as an important element in one’s life such that when people are married we do not expect them to get divorced without valid reasons except death. Therefore, through marriage seminars couples are equipped on how to prevent divorce or separation while enhancing their love, intimacy and passion.
What have been your achievements since you introduced marriage seminars at your church?
We have made remarkable strides. Since we introduced this initiative last year we have reduced marital cases that were the order of the day in the church. We used to receive three or four marital cases per week, but now a week passes without receiving a single one.
Why do you involve men and women—parents only—so to speak?
We feel marriage is between a man and a woman and expect them to use skills they acquire to teach their children. Besides, there are some topics which cannot be tackled in the presence of children. But all in all, we encourage the parents to impart the knowledge to their children.
What is your message to couples who have not attended such a seminar?
I encourage them to come and attend because apart from being a source of some solutions to family problems, the seminar enhances love, intimacy and passion between couples.
