There's an old adage that says “It's always darkest before the dawn.” That aptly describes where we are with the divorce culture in our country. And in San Antonio, like everywhere else, families are struggling to make sense of the chaos created by the atrophy of marriage. But a new glimmer of hope has appeared on the horizon. More than 10,000 pastors in 42 states have come together to fight for this God ordained institution. Together they have signed "Community Marriage Policies" with the goal of radically reducing the divorce rate in their local churches. It's a hopeful new sign after decades of bad news. And it is working. The "Community Marriage Policy®" is an innovation of Mike and Harriet McManus, co-founders of Marriage Savers. This Christian ministry has developed a proven strategy to slash divorce and cohabitation rates, and to raise the marriage rate. They have helped the clergy of 228 cities and towns to adopt a Community Marriage Policy® (or Covenant) with the goal to "radically reduce the divorce rate in area churches," as Modesto, CA pastors put it in the first covenant in 1986. Clergy join together across denominational and racial lines and sign a public covenant on the courthouse steps to make healthy marriages a priority in their congregations. Specifically, in Community Marriage Policies®, religious leaders pledge to train Mentor Couples to help other couples at every stage of the marital life cycle to achieve five great goals: 1. Give "marriage insurance" to the engaged -- a 95% guarantee that their marriage will go the distance. Our sister city, Austin Texas, has been a
standout in the program. Since adopting its city-wide policy, divorce
in our state's capital has dropped more than 48%. Interestingly, of all
228 cities to adopt the program, the best results have been evidenced in
the Lone Star State! In addition to Austin - Dallas, Abilene, Flower Mound, Forney, Lake Jackson, Tyler, Burleson, El Paso and Houston
- have all signed on to this remarkable program. Nationally, an
independent study by the Institute for Research and Evaluation Very recently, God has been at work in the hearts and minds of many churches to become more purposeful in the ministry of strengthening marriages. This summer, the Southern Baptists, in an admirably honest and transparent statement, issued a remarkable resolution entitled, "On The Scandal Of Southern Baptist Divorce". Therein, they pledge to bring about comprehensive changes to their approach toward dealing with troubled or broken marriages. In a major Pastoral Letter, the Catholic Church passed a comprehensive declaration of support for marriage in a letter titled "Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan." The Church profoundly claims that, "The Church is built on a foundation of marriage and family life, which it cherishes as the school of a deeper humanity and a cradle of the civilization of love." In a common refrain, churches and denominations throughout the country are proclaiming the importance of marriage and are reallocating resources to deal with what has become a systemic problem in churches, problems which present themselves any a myriad of symptomatic ways. In short, the Body of Christ is serious about building stronger marriages and stronger families. It is time that the faithful in San Antonio get serious as well. For Such a Time as This Isn't it amazing that more than 10,000 pastors in 228 cities have signed onto the Community Marriage Policy® movement? And here we are, in San Antonio - seventh largest city in the United States - still struggling with the fallout of divorce, fatherlessness, and the poverty that invariably follows! I don't understand the timing, but I do believe the church is ready. The first glimmers of a breaking dawn are appearing on the horizon in our beautiful Hill Country city. God in powerfully at work in our community. And the hearts of leaders throughout San Antonio are ready - to join together in a mighty work of God - a work to restore God's perfect design for marriage and family. This fall, community leaders, pastors, agencies, and lay persons will join together to find common ground in the God ordained mission of restoring strength and dignity to the institution of marriage in San Antonio. If you would like to be a part of this historic and powerful movement, please contact Carl Caton at (210) 651-5050 or Mike McManus of Marriage Savers at (301) 469-5873. Television Interviews on Marriage Savers and Community Marriage Policy (R) Good Morning America Interview of Mike and Harriet McManus CBN Interview on Marriage Savers "Divorce Proofing" Couples 700 Club Interview on Community Marriage Policy Marriage Savers at Coral Ridge Marriage Savers Resources Example of Marriage Savers Ceremony Other Resources Hispanic Healthy Marriage Initiative Men
of Light - San Antonio San Antonio Fatherhood Campaign
Marriage
Builders with Dr. Willard F. Harley Jr. Family
Life with Dennis & Barbara Rainey Focus
on the Family ChristianCounseling.org
Find a Christian Counselor In Your Area Marriage
Savers® with Michael and Harriet McManus Retrouvaille
Healing for Troubled Marriages Books:
The
Marriage Turnaround
I
Don't Want a Divorce
Close
Calls
Torn
Asunder
Desperate
Marriages
Divorce-Proof Your Marriage Read
Chapter One of
Divorce Remedy: New Book! Read Chapter One of "Divorce Busting" Online
Divorce
Busting : A Revolutionary and Rapid Program for Staying Together
The Case for Marriage
Quotes: "If divorce were a physical disease,
"Any fool can have a
Successful & Happy Marriage – Love
& Marriage
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