UK Punjabi Christian marriage?

It is probably true that most Christians outside the Asian communities (note the plural) regard all South Asians as one undifferentiated mass, except when it comes to religion.

They forget that the subcontinent is home to over a billion people, in a landmass as big as Europe, and is as ethnically, culturally and religiously diverse as indigenous Europeans.

Also, there are special considerations concerning my community, the Punjabis. Our land was divided at Partition in 1947, with part going to Pakistan, comprising mainly Muslims and Christians, and the rest going to India, mainly consisting of Hindus and Sikhs, with some Christians. Needless to say, many Punjabi evangelical Christians in Britain are converts from Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism or come from nominal Christian families.

Arranged marriages

It is well-known that, traditionally, South Asian marriages are usually ‘arranged’ — this does not mean ‘forced’. This is as true of evangelical Christians as it is of other faith communities. Punjabis, whatever their religion, are usually encouraged to marry within the Punjabi community. Therefore, Punjabi evangelicals can face enormous temptations — and pressures — to marry within the ethnic community but outside the faith, if no potential Punjabi Christian partner can be found.

Obviously, the Bible commands that Christian marriage be ‘only in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 7.39). So Punjabi Christians in the UK face unique problems when it comes to marital issues — issues which most evangelical churches are ill-equipped to address. Given that Punjabi Christian communities are to be found across the UK, this means there is a serious — and dangerous — lack in pastoral ministry.

New ministry

Having met with some Punjabi Christian leaders, I realised the concern about the lack of opportunities available to single Punjabi Christians allowing them to meet in culturally sensitive environments that may lead to marriage. Punjabi Christian Networking (PCN) started in January 2009 as a result of much prayer and intercession concerning the needs of those with whom I share the same faith and ethnicity.

Impassioned as a result of personal experience in this field, and desiring to support many people faced with challenges relating to marriage in a non-Christian context, PCN was formed. The ministry provides a forum for Punjabi Christians to network and develop friendships in a safe environment with the potential to lead to marriage in the Lord, as well as receiving godly counsel from a biblical perspective before and after marriage.

It must be emphasised that PCN is not a dating agency, but rather a ministry engaged in prayer, soliciting God in intercession with the expectation that he will faithfully perform his word in his time.

First event

The vision statement for PCN is quite simple: Punjabi Christians networking together until they find their heavenly match led by the Holy Spirit. The goals and benefits of the ministry are, among many others:

* Fellowship and networking with people of common interests.

* Teaching which addresses God’s perspective on marriage, for example what it means to be unequally yoked.

* Opportunities to potentially meet a life-time partner in the Lord.

It must be stressed that enabling Punjabi Christians to avoid the snare of the unequal yoke is a vital matter, since communal pressures often cause this to happen. It need hardly be emphasised that apart from the primary concern, i.e. obedience to the Lord’s commands, inter-faith marriage can often lead to all kinds of problems and difficulties.

PCN had its first event on May 23 2009 in East London, with worship in Punjabi and English, teaching given by Pastor Peter Nembhard, senior pastor of the ARC (A Radical Church) church in the area. Alongside sound instruction from Pastor Peter about biblical marriage and the unequal yoke, Punjabi food and fellowship enabled all attending to enjoy the event.

Feedback

Feedback for the event included comments about how it was a wonderful opportunity to meet others from their own ethnic background, that Pastor Peter’s teaching concerning being unequally yoked brought clarity, some observing that they never realised it was an issue, and others expressing delight that such a ministry now existed, since they had been praying long for a spouse of their own ethnicity and faith, and that PCN was part of the answer to this prayer.

Indeed, PCN was immediately approached by some for further help in enabling culturally acceptable marriages in the Lord. One man attending said that it was good to learn that there has to be preparation, as a man, for marriage, as before he was under the impression that all he had to do was to find a wife.

An attendee from Wolverhampton observed that a lot of their youngsters in the church would have a totally different view on marriage if exposed to the teaching provided at the event. Significantly, PCN has now been approached to hold similar events in Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

Many churches in multi-racial areas will have Punjabi Christians in their congregations, and would want to assist them in this crucial issue of marriage. Churches and individuals interested in our ministry, are invited to contact us via our website at http://www.punjabichristiannetwork.co.uk

Jess Kaur,
a convert from Sikhism and an official of the ARC Church, East London

UK Punjabi Christian marriage?

Arranged marriages

New ministry

First event

Feedback

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