Seminar aims to Strengthen Marriages

On Saturday April 7 we will be treated to a seminar titled "Going Back to the Heart of Marriage", taught by Vineyard Pastor Dennis Stranges. Dennis comes to us from the Columbus, Ohio Vineyard, a fellowship of around 6000 people, where he serves as Marriage and Family Pastor. His background of 17 years of professional counseling has prepared him well for the topic, as Christians are certainly not immune to struggles in relationships between man and wife. Dennis has remarked that he is blessed to have been able to leave private practice and to serve the body of Christ through the church. Instead of only seeing couples whose marriage was already in trouble, he is now more able to help instruct, encourage and play a part in prevention of relationship break-ups. Dennis is extraordinarily gracious and has great compassion for those he counsels, and that comes through in his teaching. He is regularly involved in teaching and training in the counseling ministries in Columbus and we are excited to have him come and share with us in Boise. 

Here at Vineyard Boise, we know that a one-day marriage seminar can be many things. It can be great "preventive maintenance" for a healthy relationship. It can be a fun and productive way to "re-focus" on your marriage if you need to. One place "auto-pilot" doesn't work is in a marriage, so if you've gotten a little lazy or haphazard about taking care of each other, you might get some great new ideas, or even dust off some of the old favorites. One thing the seminar won't be- and that's the "quick fix". It won't give you all the answers. But, if you're struggling, and the truth is that most marriages do at times, it can help to get you talking to each other, and to the One who does have all the answers. If you will invite the Lord into your struggle, you will find comfort, wisdom and the power to love each other well. Whatever stage you're at, we hope you'll join us!

Marriages are very important to us. That's why we have a strong Pre-Marital Counseling program to help couples understand the depth of commitment they are considering, and to be well prepared with good tools for communication and conflict resolution. We also feel that marriages are strengthened in community, by participating in small groups with other marrieds who can share their trials and their triumphs with each other. From time to time special classes or small groups are formed around a marriage strengthening study, such as the recent Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, or the current Homebuilders study on marriage. And we are currently working on an exciting new program called Marriage On Purpose, which will be an on-going ministry that will sow good seeds into marriages of all ages. Lastly, healthy marriages are enjoyed by healthy individuals, so there are many opportunities for both men and women to pursue emotional health and spiritual maturity here at Vineyard Boise. 

The key is- "Be intentional". Really take the time to focus on growing- in your love for God and your love for one another. You will honor Him and reap the blessings.