We all know that the family is the most important element in society, and it is no different in the Church.  Therefore, it is our responsibility as clergy and lay leaders to do all in our power to promote the sanctity and security of the family.  Despite various surveys that contend that the divorce rate is no different in the Church than in society, I have found that the married couple that goes to church together, stays together.  So the key is making our parishes a welcome place for both husbands and wives.  
 
At St. Bartholomew's we do this by not only providing various ministry opportunities for both men and women, but by providing them with a spiritual gifts questionnaire and teaching to enable them to discern where they may be called to serve.  In addition to the normal gatherings of fellowship, we have held mother-daughter dinners and father-son outings.  Married couples are encouraged to attend Family Life Marriage Conferences (www.familylife.com) when they are held in the area and any couple that is planning to get married in our church must be regular in attendance and receives pre-marital instruction that addresses in depth ten key relationship areas including communication, finances, family, sex, and faith.  While conferences, ministry opportunities, and pre-marital instruction all play an important role in strengthening our couples and families, the foundation must always be the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ together.  

 

Fr. Art Ward, Rector

St. Bartholomew's

Tonawanda, NY

 

 

Did You Know?    

 

 

In late March, The Barna Group relased the results of a study on marriage and divorce. Of particular interest are the results that show the difference in the number of divorces between evangelic and non-evangelic born again Christians. (The study explains how they determine this classification). Born again Christians who are not evangelical were indistinguishable from the national average on the matter of divorce: 33% have been married and divorced. The percentage of divorces for evangelical, born again Christians is 26%.

 

George Barna, who directed the study, noted that Americans have grown comfortable with divorce as a natural part of life. "There no longer seems to be much of a stigma attached to divorce; it is now seen as an unavoidable rite of passage," the researcher indicated. "Interviews with young adults suggest that they want their initial marriage to last, but are not particularly optimistic about that possibility. There is also evidence that many young people are moving toward embracing the idea of serial marriage, in which a person gets married two or three times, seeking a different partner for each phase of their adult life."

More details about the study are available at the Barna Group website:

 

 

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