Thread by @harrydaniyan

The pastor climbed the stage to end the service.
Before he shared the grace, he made an announcement:
"Our dear brother Obinna & sister Amina are getting married in 2 months' time, live here in this hall! Praise the Lord!"
The hall erupted in joy!
Finally, the day is fixed!
Yay!

Obinna & Amina have been dating for 3 years.
They are very committed members of the Church, everybody loves them.
They are the couple you'd see & say, "Awww! They look so good together!"
Everybody was happy. Friends & well-wishers came to greet & hug them after the service...

From that day, things took a faster pace- planning, food, drinks, pictures, video, souvenirs- all the things that make for a successful wedding ceremony.
Everybody in the Church wanted to be a part of this wedding!
The couple had so much goodwill among the church members...

But 2 weeks to the wedding, something happened.
The couple asked to see the Pastor.
He gave them an appointment.
They were there on time.
After exchanging pleasantries, pastor asked what the problem was.
Obinna cleared his throat: "Pastor Tunde, I'm very sorry to tell you this...

I know we must have disappointed you."
Obinna paused.
Then he dropped the bombshell:
"Amina is pregnant sir. I'm so sorry!"
Pastor Tunde didn't say anything for a few minutes.
He was looking at them both, his eyes darting from Amina to Obinna.
The he sighed...

"I must say I am disappointed, Obinna, but that is not important right now.
What do we do?
You know the Church policy on this issue: We can't continue with the wedding in this Church.
I can just join you in my office- I can't do more than that.
We can't hold a wedding ceremony!"

Amina responded, "It's ok, Pastor, we know the implication of my pregnancy.
We have spoken to our parents & my dad suggested we hold the wedding in their church.
It's an Orthodox Church, but it's ok."

On Sunday, the Church was informed that the wedding was cancelled & why...

Obinna & Amina were suspended as Church Workers for 3 months.
Well, they got married in Amina's father's Church & returned to their own Church.
9 months later, Amina gave birth to a baby girl!

Now, the Church had a tradition of dedicating babies every 6 months...

So 4 months after Amina gave birth was the next Baby Dedication.
All couples with their babies come forward to be prayed for & be blessed by the Pastor.
8 couples came out for dedication that day.
As Amina stood by her husband, carrying her baby, an usher nudged her...

Usher told her, "Sorry, sister- pastor said he won't be dedicating your baby here. He asked you should go back to your seat!"
Amina was shocked.
Obinna was livid!
They felt so embarrassed!
But they went back to their seat.
Pastor Tunde dedicated the other 7 babies that morning...

After the service, Obinna went to see Pastor.
"Pastor, why did you not want to dedicate our baby?"
Pastor responded, "Your baby was conceived out of wedlock, Obinna.
You guys had sex before your wedding, that was why it wasn't held here, remember?
Your baby is the product...

The whole Church is aware of the pregnancy before marriage.
I cannot dedicate the baby in the Church:
I cannot be seen to be condoning sin.
But I will ask my associate pastor to follow you home to dedicate her in your house.
Your baby will be dedicated, but not in the Church..."

Obinna turned down the pastor's offer.

They left the Church for good that day & joined another.

This is a true story: it happened 7 years ago, thereabouts

Question:
Was Pastor Tunde right?
Do you support his stance or you think he should have dedicated the baby?

Where do you draw the line on Church Discipline?
Do confession & forgiveness mean discipline needn't be meted out again?
They were stopped from getting married in the Church, they were suspended for 3 months: should that suffice?
Churches have different disciplinary measures...

Can we look at this from SCRIPTURE, not from our Church's perspective?
What do the scriptures recommend on issues like this, either directly or by inference?
If you were Obinna or Amina, would you change Church or you remain with Pastor Tunde?

Ok, people!
Let's discuss...!
😇