Marriage Preparation
Marriage enrichment pioneer David Mace once remarked, "Marriage is the deepest and potentially the most gratifying of all human relationships, but it is also one of the most demanding. Unfortunately couples seldom have more preparation than a little advice from their parents and a new set of china." With the risk for divorce in the United States hovering around 40-50%, it's startling that so few people take marriage preparation seriously. One study showed that only 30% participated in even one to two hours of marriage preparation. A 1997 U.S. national survey showed that only 36 percent of couples married in the previous five years had premarital counseling through their religious organization. Recent studies of college young adults show that more than 90 percent say they believe marriage preparation is important but only 35% intend to formally prepare. Marriage can be one of life's sweetest ventures, but it is also one of the riskiest. Couples and communities are wise to invest in and support active preparation for marriage. The materials in this section are an excellent resource for couples, clergy and lay leaders.
Healthy Marriages Grand Rapids sponsors the "Secrets for Successful Marriage" workshop. To read more about it and to find registration information, click here.