Comments on: One Way Churches Could Really Help Marriages

By: The Church on Sex: We're Not There, But We're Doing Better - Hot, Holy & Humorous

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 13:14:29 +0000

[…] But it doesn’t have to happen in Sunday mornings if a church isn’t ready for it, and it shouldn’t happen there exclusively. Rather, marriage ministries can incorporate more content about sexual integrity and intimacy, through classes, special speakers, and conferences or retreats. Church libraries can stock quality Christian books about sex and let people know they’re there. (Hey, I will send your church library FREE books if you’re in the contiguous US and email me the request!). Churches can provide counseling services through their own congregation or underwriting Christian therapists to help couples who need counseling about sexual issues in their marriage (see One Way Churches Could Really Help Marriages). […]

By: Fiona

Fiona — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 11:54:09 +0000

I’m so glad you mentioned that unhelpful and probably worst piece of advice ever given, (You can’t afford not to). Those people who are being told to “…cut down on the coffees from Starbucks…” when they are just managing to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads must feel like they are not being heard at all.

By: J

Sat, 13 Aug 2022 19:42:56 +0000

In reply to Anonymous. Thank you!

By: J

Sat, 13 Aug 2022 19:42:45 +0000

In reply to H. Yes, I think some troubled marriages could have avoided their fate had they received quality premarital counseling.

By: H

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 11:24:48 +0000

I think the most effective way to help marriages is premarital counseling. I know too many churches (mine included) who marry people without any kind of premarital counseling at all to see if a couple even SHOULD get married. I sincerely believe that if premarital counseling were required to get married, many of our current failed marriages would never have happened in the first place because the couple would learn enough about each other to find and recognize major incompatibilities before getting married.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 11:25:52 +0000

Great article, I truly agree with the insight provided.
I am a professional Christian counselor and I have seen the need there is out there for Christian marriages but many can’t afford so I pray that many churches can buy into the proposal

By: J

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 10:10:53 +0000

In reply to Chris. That's awesome!

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 19:31:16 +0000

I am blessed to attend a church that has in house, certified, counselors. I do not believe they are free, but they are solidly Christian based and the church does help couples as it can, though funds are not limitless. I haven’t used them (not against counseling, just haven’t needed it), but I have heard positive feedback from those who have. They not only help with marriage counseling but grief, depression, other types of counseling as well. Our pastors do general counseling, but are not hesitant to refer people to certified counselors when appropriate. They understand that the limited counseling training they get in seminary does not make them the best fit for all situations. I don’t sense any stigma in getting counseling at my church either, which is very positive.

By: J

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 09:22:33 +0000

In reply to Leo. Interesting! Good to know. (Also, my husband is retired, but he worked for NASA contractors for many years, and we have lots of friends still associated with NASA JSC. )

By: Leo

Leo — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 05:21:29 +0000

I work (at NASA) with a young engineer who is also a pastor for a local church. He told me that 70% of the job openings for pastors in his denomination are counseling positions, and that in addition to a degree in divinity, many applicants will have a masters in social work or clinical psychology. He is a pastor in a denominational church (not an independent), but this seems like the sort of progress you’re looking for.