Perception of inter-denomination marriages among members of the Seventh-day Adventist churches in the Sunyani North District of Mid-West Ghana Conference

Abstract

The study brought in focus perception of inter-denominational marriages among cluster of churches in Sunyani North district of the Seventh–day Adventist church in the Mid–West Ghana Conference. The Family Ministries Department of the Conference conducted a week long marriage programme in the Sunyani North district in February 2011 in the various churches. After the programme it was attested that 22.3% of the young adults have involved themselves in inter–marriages which have brought about diminishing faith and apostasy. Therefore a questionnaire based on the attitude of the youths at the age of maturity was developed to establish the problems that made them to marry outside the faith. After the appraisal of the problems, an educative programme on how to choose a partner was organized in the various churches to implore the youths to consider the Biblical views on marrying the unbeliever.The study indicated that the young adults’ perception on the Biblical views of marrying within the church than to marry outside the faith was accepted. Also, it was perceived that the church elders and the parents can resolve the issue of interdenominational marriages that lead to several problems if they can take it upon themselves to help, assist, and educate the young adults to make the right choice of marriage in order to retain cordial relationship with the creator God.