Marital Counseling – The Berean Centre – The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos

RCCG Courtship & CounselingRCCG Courtship Proposal Format

Pray to receive a leading to a particular brother or sister
Once you are sure you should go and discuss with your parish pastor first
The pastor would pray and invite the brother or sister in question for discussion/ counseling
The mentioned brother or sister would be counseled to seek the face of God concerning a life partner
The pastor may not disclose the name of the brother or sister that came with the proposal
If the mentioned brother/ sister comes back with a leading to the person that came with the initial proposal, the pastor would arrange to bring the two together for prayers so that their courtship could start formally
If you are led to a person outside “your parish or church’ you must discuss with your parish pastor first
The parish pastor would then write on your behalf to the pastor of the sister in question
It is not acceptable in the church to start proposing marriage to any sister in the church without discussing with your parish pastor
No courtship should start without the formal approval of your parish pastor
No courtship relationship must break without formal discussion with your parish pastor and marriage counseling committee
All brethren in courtship must pass through the marriage counseling course before wedding

RCCG Courtship & Counseling RCCG Pre- Marital Counseling Classes – General Rules

All couples –in – courtship must successfully finish the compulsory intending couples counseling classes before wedding day
The church would not participate in the wedding of any couple who fails to complete the programme, no matter where the wedding is taking place
Any couple who wants to get married must have been in courtship for at least six (6) months before the church can approve of the wedding
Couples should not fix their wedding dates until they have obtained clearance from the Marriage Counseling ministry
Wedding dates are tentative until the Area Pastor receives the final Confidential report from the Marriage Counseling ministry on such couples
Couples should confirm their proposed wedding dates with the Area pastor after their confidential reports have been forwarded, before printing their invitation cards
Invitation cards and wedding programmes must be cleared by the coordinator of Marriage Counseling ministry before printing
The wedding programme should conform with the standard wedding programme of the church
If you are marrying someone from another church, your spouse must obtain a letter of introduction, duly signed, from his/her church. The letter must also confirm that such a person is fit to be joined by the church
Spouses residing outside town must see their counselor, at least, three times before the wedding day
The engagement list must be presented to the Marriage Committee of your parish for counseling/ clearance before the wedding/engagement ceremonies
Couples must obtain Marriage Clearance Certificate from the Local Government Marriage Registry. This certificate must be presented to the Marriage Committee at least, one week before the wedding date. (Note: A twenty – one (21) working day notice is required by the Local Government before the issuance of such certificate)
Couples must obtain written consent to their relationship from their parents before the church could join them
The wedding gown/dress of the bride and the chief bride’s maid must be presented to the Marriage Committee for fitting and inspection, at least, two weeks before the proposed wedding date
Pre- wedding church rehearsals are compulsory for the couple, bestman and chief bride’s maid
The couple must arrive at the church on the wedding day, at least, 15 minutes before the scheduled time of commencement of wedding service
Couples must get their wedding Bible ready. The word of God is what the church uses in joining a couple in marriage
No wedding shall be conducted on the Saturday of Annual Convention in August as well as the Saturdays of Annual Go – A – Fishing programme during Christmas and Easter
Pre – marital sexual relationship is sinful, hence it is highly prohibited by the
church. Confirmation of being involved in sexual relationship automatically cancels the involvement of the church in such wedding
Pregnancy test would be conducted on the bride in less than one week to the wedding date. Any bride found to be pregnant would automatically be disqualified from having her wedding in the church; Co-habiting as husband and wife or relating sexually after traditional wedding or engagement is not for those wishing to solemnize their marriage in the church; otherwise the church wedding would be called off.