A matchmaking programme organised by the City of David parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God has stirred some controversy on social media.
While some applauded the initiative, a number of people are at a loss on what is really happening in the church. Some see the initiative as carnal.
Pastor Idowu Iluyomade City of David Pastor
One of the respondents Eze C. Nwachukwu Eze C. Nwachukwu wrote in reaction to the programme posted on the Facebook handle of the parish, “More of this in the church because the rate single sisters trouble pastors with marriage issue is becoming something else. So Sister dress good, look nice carry your self come here. If no one pick you just know that your village people are at work.”
Another respondent wrote Zaks Gandy  So na wetin they happen for church now!! What a canal church!!! chai Lord have mercy!!”
Amaechi Emmabucks wrote, “One thing is to match people, another thing is for them to stay together”
Another comment by, Jude Victor reads “I think churches are hypocritical, this is matchmaking but they condemn dating sites, what’s different from a dating site?”
Collins Okonkwo says    So, he said he wants a lady that is Godfearing, a good listener, ready to spend the rest of her life with him….. how does picking someone at random help him find these qualities?”
They were all reacting to a clip of the programme shared on the social media handle of the church.
Efforts to get the church to respond to the programme failed. One of the church officials directed our correspondent to the church’s social media handles for inquiries.
A top pastor of the RCCG who prefers anonymity says the programme has no basis in the Bible.
A marriage counsellor, Pastor Samuel Oba who spoke with our correspondent on the issue says Choosing a life partner is more serious than just picking anyone at random.
According to him, “Real marriage is not for few months, neither is it for few years, it’s for a lifetime. Choosing by sight have its own problem.
“As long as we’re trying to solve the problem of the high rate of mature singles care must be taken not to create a bigger problem for them.
“As Christians, it’s not enough to make people get married, we must ensure that the marriage works.
That’s why it’s a must to pray for the leading of God before you propose or go into courtship. The lady needs to pray too and be convinced before she agrees to a proposal.
“We must be careful not to allow matchmaking agents to take over Biblical standards in choice-making in marriage.
The fact that it is in vogue doesn’t make it Biblical.”
Find below a clip of the programme
https://www.facebook.com/rccgcod/videos/2047665882059415/
4 comments
It is well.
Why should this cause controversy? The singles in churches should have a care ministry of their own.
Fountain of life church calls their own Ruth and Boaz…
I and my late hubby have been matchmaking for over 25 years as a ministry.
Darker things happen in churches that never see the light of the day.
This is stupid controversy
Ayo Jaiyeola
This is very good thing. The Bible says He that finds a wife finds a good thing. If you are looking for something you will experience hit and miss and often times it will take time. This approach helps to handle not just the spiritual but the hunger of the soul(Mental compatibility) and body(physical attraction). Please we need more of these in church. However, there should be prayer seasons every week of not less than 1hr within a space of 6 months to handle the spiritual(God’s Supernatural workings).
GOD BLESS YOU
This is very good thing. The Bible says He that finds a wife finds a good thing. If you are looking for something you will experience hit and miss and often times it will take time. This approach helps to handle not just the spiritual but the hunger of the soul(Mental compatibility) and body(physical attraction). Please we need more of these in church. However, there should be prayer seasons every week of not less than 1hr within a space of 6 months to handle the spiritual(God’s Supernatural workings).
GOD BLESS YOU