Countless couples, on any given weekend, file into your church and
ours, looking their "Sunday best," and quietly keeping a marriage
problem to themselves. The stigma of counseling may be keeping them
from seeking help. Or they may feel all alone, that nobody else would
understand. Or they may simply have nobody to talk to. But truth be
told, some of these couples are going down. Their marriages are hurting
and nobody has recognized their signal for help-and even if they have,
they don't feel it's their place to step in.
Surely you've witnessed a painful divorce where trouble was never
suspected. You've certainly seen the newlywed couple, full of promise,
whose marriage is short-lived because they didn't get a solid start.
And think of the numerous couples in your care who are stuck in a rut,
not reaching their full potential.
Now, think of the difference it would make if these couples in
your congregation could be linked with other couples, more seasoned and
experienced in what these couples are going through. Would it make any
difference? You bet. How do we know? Because we've been recruiting,
screening, and training couples to become marriage mentors for more
than a decade. We've heard their stories. We've done the research.
Marriage mentoring works.
Both of us grew up in a parsonage. We've been involved in church
work our entire lives. Les is an ordained minister. We also speak to
hundreds of ministers annually. So we know you may have some reticence.
You may be saying, "I don't need another program to administer." You're
right. That's why marriage mentoring is low-maintenance. It belongs to
the laity. Or maybe you're saying "I can't get volunteers to teach
classes, let alone mentor other couples." We understand. But we'll show
you how recruiting mentor couples is easier than you think. Perhaps
you're saying, "I don't want to detract from the marriage counseling
program we've built up." It won't. In fact, it will augment it. "For
now we're putting our energies into children's ministry and youth
work." Worthy indeed. But marriage mentoring may be the most important
thing you ever do for the young people in your church. Marriage
mentoring can literally increase the spiritual vitality of your entire
congregation.
We are honored and humbled that you are taking the time to peruse
this website. With this website, our book and the soon-to-be released
DVD kit, we hope we've provided all the hands-on resources you need to
equip you and your mentor team for this vital ministry. For we know it
will be through ministers like you that God will empower the church to
cut the divorce rate, heal wounded couples, and revolutionize
relationships.
We wish you every success in your efforts for doing just that.
