Catch the momentum of this worldwide focus on strengthening marriages with these helpful resources. Visit http://www.marriage-weekinternational.com and click on a country, or visit http://nationalmarriageweekusa.org for resources and to see what others are doing.
Communicate through preaching, teaching, and newsletters the importance of the marriage covenant to society. While everyone may not marry, for those who do, there are resources for strengthening relationships and transforming good marriages into great ones.
Plan a special service
• See
http://www.nationalmarriageweekusa.org/images/nationalefforts/RenewalofWedding
VowsSamplePlan.pdf for some suggestions.
• Plan a Date Night and/or launch a series of marriage-strengthening events:
• See these lists of curriculum materials and organizations for ideas.
• Set up Book Displays: See this reading list for couples and devotional list for ideas.
Best Practices and Recommended Resources
Articles on various aspects of marriage and family ministries on the internet can be found at: www.marriagelovepower.net, www.gbod.org/marriage, and www.gbod.org/minister-to-people/families, most recently “Ministering With Couples on the Brink of Divorce,” “Divorce Care and Recovery,” and “Helping Stepfamilies Thrive.” “Strengthening Clergy Families”
Among the articles in process is one on ministering with Spanish-language congregations.
The Better Marriages’ Virtual Marriage Enrichment Group, takes place the first Tuesday of each month at 8:00pm Eastern Time and the third Wednesday at 5:00 pm Mountain Time.
This link tells how these events work and how to get the log-in information each month. Anyone can participate by phone or webcast or both and listen to the recording afterwards.
For January 15th at 5:00 pm Mountain Time (topic: “Our Relationship Beginnings”), call 425-440-5100 and enter Pin 367457#. and/or go to: http://AttendThisEvent.com/?eventid=50279070.
For the February 4th event, 2014, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, call 425-440-5100 and enter pin code = 367457# and/or go to http://attendthisevent.com/?eventID=50294316.
After a couple presentation on the selected topic, participants will have time for their own conversations, followed by opportunity to hear from others who want to share insights and experiences. Singles will enjoy and learn from this experience as well.