06.03.04 The Commitment that Monica and Kenneth's Romance Failed to Sustain
The Commitment that Monica and Kenneth’s Romance Failed to Sustain
A Fictitious Story
Monica had served as an usher in her home church for three years. Faithful, punctual and dependable, she was the kind of young woman everyone trusted. Her joy in serving God was steady and sincere.
Kenneth arrived one Sunday morning as a first-time visitor, young, charismatic, friendly and eager to introduce himself to anyone who would listen. He ran a growing cleaning company and his confidence drew people in instantly. Monica welcomed him politely and directed him to a seat. After the service, he approached her. “Your church is warm,” he said. “I think I will be back.” And he did return but not consistently.
A month later, Kenneth started asking Monica out for coffee rather frequently. Their conversation would flow easily as he spoke with passion about business and big dreams. “Ken is nice to hang out with”, Monica would muse in between their dates. And truth be told, the girl admired his charming ambition; and soon they began courting. But almost immediately, Monica noticed a pattern. One Sunday he would attend their church. The next, he was at a different one. The following weekend, another. “I like visiting places. You never know where opportunities for business might be,” Ken would explain casually, each time the girl querried the man’s ‘church tourism’ tendencies.
As their relationship grew, Kenneth began inviting Monica to accompany him to other churches, promising that there would be ‘vibe’. Monica’s insistence about her commitment to ushering fell on deaf ears. When she shared Kenneth’s idea with a close friend, the response was blunt. “Better follow your man, my dear! Churches are overflowing with single girls who are ‘searching…’ They could snatch him.” From then on, Monica began missing her ushering schedule to the extent that the Chief Usher got concerned about her irregular attendance. “Are you alright?” he asked one Sunday.
Months into their relationship, Kenneth began speaking generously about marriage. Then came the weekend when he took her to a mega wedding of one of the pastors of the flashy churches he frequented. The décor was extravagant, the bridal team enormous, the music thunderous and the media coverage overwhelming. Kenneth was mesmerised. “This Man of God speaks my language. He is my role model and this is the level we must aim for,” he whispered excitedly. What was disturbing though, was that he had never talked about life beyond the glamorous ceremony. It was as though to him; the wedding was everything.
The following week, Monica received an unexpected summons from her pastor. “Monica,” he said gently, “We saw you on a livestream from another church last Sunday. Someone also sent us a clip of you at a wedding of a pastor whose teachings contradict what we stand for. We entrusted you with ushering because you were steady, faithful and committed. But recently, you have been irregular.”
Monica felt tears welling up in her big eyes. “I can explain, Pastor. I have been escorting Kenneth.” The pastor listened quietly, then asked, “Is Kenneth rooted in a home church? Is he accountable anywhere?” Monica hesitated. “Well, he says he attends many churches because, because…” The pastor leaned forward kindly. “My daughter, marriage requires anchoring. You cannot build a home with someone who refuses to be planted. Before you say ‘yes’ to a man, ask where he stands spiritually. Can I meet Kenneth?”
When Monica relayed the pastor’s invitation, Kenneth scoffingly refused. Then she asked, “But which is your home church?” Kenneth laughed with sarcasm, saying he could not subscribe to such a limited mindset. “Did Jesus have a home church?” he blurted.
In the weeks that followed, Monica decided to stick to her ushering responsibilities, which irritated Kenneth. He continued to attend her church only once a month and three Sundays elsewhere.
Six months later, a headline trended across social media. “Mega Church Pastor’s Marriage Ends in Painful Split.” It was the same glamorous wedding they had attended. Monica stared at the screen as she recalled Kenneth’s words. “This Man of God speaks my language. He is my role model and this is the level we must aim for.”
Monica hardly slept that night. Prayerfully, she had to make a decision. Kenneth was not committed to life beyond marriage, nor to any church for that matter. Early the following morning, she called Kenneth. To cut a long story short, their courtship ended that day.