'Church doctrine on divorce is destroying lives' - Apostle Nat

Founder and Senior Pastor of Dashen Ministries, Apostle Nat Opare Yeboah, has criticised what he describes as the church's rigid approach to divorce, arguing that forcing couples to remain in broken marriages is "destroying a lot of lives."

Speaking in an interview with media personality MzGee on Behind the Pulpit, the clergyman said while marriage is a sacred covenant that should not be entered into lightly, there are circumstances where separation is healthier than remaining in a toxic relationship.

"I don't believe in breaking covenants because marriage is a covenant," Apostle Nat said. "But I also believe the doctrine on divorce is destroying a lot of lives, and preachers have to do something about it."

The pastor, who disclosed that he has been divorced for almost five years, said his own experience shaped his views on the subject.

According to him, his marriage ended through mutual understanding after both spouses realised they were no longer helping each other grow.

"It was an understanding," he said. "We were not helping each other. We were just enduring because we were pastors."

Apostle Nat said the pressure placed on ministers to preserve the image of a successful marriage often compels them to remain in unhealthy relationships despite the emotional toll.

"When we were in the house, everybody's face was sad. We never agreed on anything, and sometimes we quarrelled in the presence of the children," he recalled.

"It was better we separated so the children would have peace," he said.

The preacher said many churches judge divorced pastors harshly, with some members questioning their credibility to lead congregations.

He, however, maintained that a pastor's effectiveness in ministry should not be measured solely by the status of his marriage.

"People have to know that the pastor also has his life," he said. "If the pastor is not peaceful at home, it will have an influence on the church."

Apostle Nat also challenged the assumption that every marriage must continue regardless of the circumstances, suggesting that some couples marry before attaining sufficient maturity.

"When you are young and driven by your desires, you marry because you don't want to sin against God," he said. "Later, you may realise you made a big mistake. If both of you agree that the marriage is not working and decide to separate peacefully, society still condemns you."

Despite defending divorce in certain situations, the pastor cautioned against treating marriage casually, describing divorce as one of life's most painful experiences.

"The one thing I will never advise anybody to enter is divorce," he said. "Divorce can delay your life and derail your destiny."

"When you are ready to marry, make sure you have found the right person," he advised.

Asked whether he intends to remarry, Apostle Nat said he remains open to the possibility if God leads him in that direction but is not rushing into another marriage.

"I'm taking time to learn myself," he said. "If you don't know yourself, you become a burden to the other person."

He added that his current focus is personal growth so that, should he marry again, both he and his future spouse would be emotionally prepared for the relationship.

Watch the interview below.