Hi Ron. I thought you would be encouraged to hear that among our young church family, there is very little stigma about counselling or coaching in marriage. In our sphere, as soon as a couple starts courting (ie. dating with a very serious intent towards marriage) we are encouraged to connect with one of a few couples in the church who have a handful of years of marriage ahead of them. This is not marriage prep courses. We do those too. This is a relationship & accountability with a couple who want to see you succeed as a team and to really spell out what life can be like on the "other side" of marriage.

It has been so beneficial to surviving my first year of marriage to have a woman in my life who I can call when I just want to throw my vow to the wind and walk out the door. This couple reminds us of our commitment to love unconditionally, to have grace for one another and to forgive quickly. They suggest things that have helped them move beyond their differences. Having someone there to say that things are rough but to remind me to have hope and focus forward has changed my life.