By Snr Reverend Elton Tirivokunze
Researcher, Midlands State University and Pastor, Harvest House International Church,
Gweru
When Blessing and his wife sat down to budget last month, they didn’t argue. That might not
sound like a victory — but for this Gweru couple, it is. Five years ago, money fights nearly
ended their marriage.
“We agreed from the beginning that we would be transparent about money,” says Blessing,
39, who has been married for 12 years. “We budget together every month. It has not been
easy, but it has reduced the fights.”
Blessing and his wife are among the lucky ones. Across Zimbabwe, marriages are under
tremendous strain. New figures show that the High Court received 3,989 divorce applications
in 2025 — a 27 percent increase from the 3,138 cases recorded the previous year. In Harare,
divorce registrations rose from 1,939 to 2,386. In Bulawayo, they jumped by nearly 40
percent.
But behind these numbers are real people: husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, children
caught in the middle. A new study conducted at Harvest House International Church in
Gweru has asked a simple question: What is really breaking Zimbabwean marriages? And
what can the church do about it?
The research interviewed 15 married church members — 6 men and 9 women — about their
experiences. What emerged was a complex picture of financial pressure, cultural conflict, and
silent emotional struggle. But there was also hope.
The Money Question
For many couples, money is never just money. It is security, status, sacrifice, and sometimes
secrecy. In Gweru, as elsewhere in Zimbabwe, financial stress has become one of the most
common triggers of marital conflict. When couples hide debts, disagree over spending, or
avoid budgeting altogether, trust begins to erode.
The church can speak into this space. It can teach stewardship, encourage transparency, and
help couples see budgeting not as a secular chore but as a spiritual discipline. When husband
and wife plan together, they are not merely managing money. They are building trust.
Beyond Finances: The Deeper Struggles
Yet money is only one thread in a much larger fabric. Studies of pastoral counselling in
Gweru have identified infidelity, communication breakdown, infertility, health challenges,
and interference from extended family as recurring issues brought to church leaders.
These struggles are not unique to Gweru. But they are often intensified by economic pressure,
migration, unemployment, and rapid social change. Many couples suffer silently, unsure
where to turn. Some turn to the church. Others simply turn away.
Where the Church Steps In
In Zimbabwe, the church remains one of the most trusted institutions in society. For many
couples, the pastor is the first counsellor they see. Churches already host weddings, dedicate
children, and bury the dead. They are present at every stage of family life.
That presence gives the church a unique opportunity. It can strengthen marriages before they
reach breaking point. It can offer hope when couples feel trapped. It can remind families that
marriage is not a private contract but a covenant that deserves support.
The Gap in Pastoral Training
Good intentions, however, are not enough. Research reveals a troubling gap: many pastors
have not received formal training in marriage counselling. They rely on personal experience,
prayer, and group sessions. These can be valuable, but they may not equip pastors to handle
complex cases such as abuse, trauma, or deep-seated infidelity.
Church members often assume their pastors are trained. Often, they are not. This gap does not
mean pastors are failing. It means the church must invest more seriously in equipping those
who counsel.
What Couples Really Need
Couples need more than a sermon on love. They need safe spaces to speak honestly. They
need practical tools for communication, conflict resolution, and financial planning. They need
confidentiality. And they need to know that seeking help is a sign of strength, not failure.
The church can provide all of this — if it is properly prepared. Counselling is not a
distraction from ministry. It is ministry.
A Way Forward
The evidence from Gweru points to several practical steps. Churches should invest in
counselling training for pastors and lay leaders. They should encourage financial
transparency and joint budgeting as a spiritual discipline. They should create confidential
counselling ministries. And they should normalise conversations about intimacy, mental
health, and family pressure.
None of this requires abandoning faith. It requires integrating faith with wisdom. It requires
the courage to listen, not only to preach.
A Story of Hope
Blessing and his wife are proof that change is possible. Their budgeting meetings are not
dramatic. They do not make headlines. But they represent a quiet revolution. A marriage that
nearly ended is now stable, transparent, and growing.
If more churches take marriage seriously — not just as a ceremony but as a ministry — many
more couples could tell the same story.
A Question Worth Answering
Can the church save Zimbabwean marriages? The answer is yes — but not automatically.
The church can save marriages if it is willing to train, listen, and adapt. It must move beyond
condemnation and into compassion. It must offer not only prayers but also practical support.
Strong marriages are not just a private blessing. They are the foundation of strong families,
strong communities, and a strong nation. The church has the reach, the trust, and the moral
authority to make a difference. What it needs now is the preparation to do so effectively.
