As ministers and ministry leaders in Tippecanoe County, we join together around shared guidelines for preparing people for marriage and supporting married couples. Our desire is to help build strong marriages, reduce divorce, and strengthen the life of our community.
Preparing couples for a lifelong covenant.
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Because marriage is a solemn covenant, engaged couples should approach it deliberately and prayerfully. We encourage allowing approximately four months to one year for meaningful marriage preparation.
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Marriage preparation should include Scriptural study and a premarital assessment that reinforces the biblical design for marriage. We recommend at least four counseling sessions so couples can honestly evaluate their relationship and readiness for marriage.
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Mature married couples should be equipped to serve as mentors for engaged couples, newlyweds, and couples experiencing marital difficulties.
Supporting couples after the wedding.
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Offer follow-up counseling with a minister or mentor couple during the first year of marriage.
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Build support systems of couples whose marriages have weathered significant challenges and who can walk alongside marriages in difficulty.
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Seek to establish meaningful support for blended families and the unique challenges they may encounter.
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Encourage retreats, classes, and marriage enrichment opportunities designed to strengthen marriages over time.
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Cooperate with other congregations and organizations to share resources and help create a community climate in which marriages can flourish.
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As pastors and ministry leaders, model this commitment personally through retreats and other relationship-enrichment opportunities.
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Take these commitments back to individual churches so they may be considered and affirmed by the appropriate church leadership.
Covenant
With a gracious attitude, we commit to seek the endorsement of these minimum standards within our congregations, to implement them as fully and faithfully as possible, and to encourage our church members to uphold the sanctity of traditional marriage for the glory of God and the good of our whole community.