According to a recent study by the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, nearly 50 percent of all marriages are headed for divorce if current trends continue.
Specifically, the report warns that half of all first marriages, 67 percent of second marriages and 73 percent of third marriages will end.
As many politicians and pastors talk frequently about challenges facing married couples, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis is actually doing something to address them.
From now until March the church, located on the city’s Westside, will offer a special series of interactive seminars and a “marriage dare” program designed to strengthen the bond between couples, whether or not they are facing problems in their marriage. In April the church will hold a special “renewal of vows” ceremony.
“Many problems are facing marriages today, including those within the church community. It’s a problem that’s affecting families across the country” said Rev. Ronald Covington, pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. “We are striving to take back what the devil has stolen from us. Our families!”
Hundreds of couples are expected to participate in Friendship’s marriage seminars. Last Friday the church offered a prelude to the series with a special showing of the film “Fireproof,” an independent Christian film that became a surprise blockbuster hit last year after being shown in theaters nationally.
“Man it was powerful,” said Covington. “We had over 300 people come out just to see it, and they seemed to be really blessed by it.”
“Fireproof,” which was released on DVD last month, is about the experiences of a firefighter whose marriage is headed for divorce. His father hands him a book called The Love Dare, a devotional that takes him on a 40-day journey, daring him to perform simple (and not so simple) acts of love for his wife. In the end, they are reminded that Christ must be at the center of any relationship, and that marriage is not a feeling but a dedicated choice.
The Love Dare is actually a real book that many churches are using for their own marriage conferences and retreats.
Each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. throughout the month of March, Friendship will have interactive sessions presenting lessons from the book.
“We’ll study topics such as complications in marriage, the languages of love and getting to know your partner, because many of us get married without even really knowing the person we pledge to spend the rest of our life with,” said Covington.
The movie “Fireproof” and the book The Love Dare were written by Alex and Stephen Kendrick, ministers and independent filmmakers. Alex Kendrick is pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. His brother Stephen serves as associate pastor and they both operate Sherwood Pictures, which released “Fireproof” to national audiences.
In a recent interview, the Kendrick brothers noted that making a little cash is nice, but their ultimate goal is inspiring people to love their spouse the way that God loves them.
“The whole idea of Jesus in John 15:9 saying, ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you,’ that’s what a spouse should be willing to say,” Stephen said.
His brother Alex added, “A godly marriage is a very powerful witness to other people, and we want to help couples realize that marriage is hard, but it is also wonderful.”
That simple yet profound goal suits Covington and his church just fine, because it matches their own.
“What we’re trying to do is just strengthen our marriages. If we can do that, we can strengthen our families,” said Covington. “We’re doing what we can to keep them together.”
For more information, call Friendship Missionary Baptist Church at (317) 917-8024.
