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MARRIAGE MENTOR PROGRAM The objective of as MMP is to train and equip more mature couples in the Church to effectively minister to pre-married and younger married couples to increase our effectiveness in building and maintaining strong marriages in the Church. HOW DOES IT WORK? When a young couple (YC) requests to be married, the pastor assigns them to a mentor couple (MC) who will meet with them on a weekly basis in the MC’s home for 3 months before the wedding and three months after the wedding. During that time the MC will administer a marriage/pre-marriage assessment (“Called Together” Curriculum) and go through it with the YC to identify strength areas and learn to work through areas needing growth. The MC will submit written reports weekly to the overseeing pastor. We suggest the couples continue to meet once a month for at least an additional three months. In all cases the periods prescribed by the program are minimums. If more time is necessary the Pastor and the MC can make those determinations. Marriage & Family Savers Ministries will remain available as a resource to help the local church administer the program effectively. THE MARRIAGE MENTOR CANDIDATES The ideal Marriage Mentor Couple should be married for 15 years, or more, and have had experienced difficulties in their marriage that made it necessary for them to learn how to work through problems together. Ironically, a couple that has been together for a long time without experiencing marital difficulties may not make the best mentor couple. The mentor couple should be prepared to commit one evening each week for a six month period to minister to and develop a relationship with a younger couple. MARRIAGE MENTOR TRAINING The mentor couple must be certified after attending the Marriage Saver Seminars Part 1 and 2, and the Mentor Workshop. They will learn lay counseling skills, and how to work with the "Called Together" curriculum that provides the structure for the ministry. They will also learn how to recognize the limits of their abilities, and when it may be necessary to refer the couple to the pastor or other professional for appropriate ministry or treatment. The mentor couple must always remain accountable to pastoral oversight, and submit reports on a regular basis. |
© 2007 Marriage & Family Savers Ministries