Fostering Healthy Marriage in an Age of Brokenness

One of our society’s most profound needs is fostering healthy marriage relationships. This seminar is designed to encourage pastors to recognize the need to encourage couples whether engaged, married or divorced to develop their relationship with godly principles and to help them be better equipped to do so.

Seminar objectives:

• To provide an overview of marriage in the Bible
• To provide an overview of the Brethren in Christ views and understandings of marriage
• To examine some of the societal changes that have contributed to the breakdown of marriage
• To provide information and tools for congregational leaders to help foster healthy marriages
• To provide information and tools for congregational leaders to be able to assist those preparing for marriage
• To consider some of the challenges pastors face with troubled marriages and couples who need counseling and to offer ideas for addressing these challenges
• To provide information and tools for congregational leaders to help those in marital stress and/or breakdown

Many practical suggestions  will be offered during the seminar, including:

• texts to use for preaching and counseling  
• do's and don'ts when dealing with marital breakdown, divorce and remarriage issues 
• introduction to a wide range of resources to aid in providing both proactive and therapeutic responses
• ways to create an environment where hurting persons and blended families can find support

Seminar Overview

8:50 Welcome and Overview of the Day - Alan Robinson

9:10 A Biblical Foundation for Marriage - Terry Brensinger (video) Download word document>

9:55 A Picture of "Healthy" Marriage - Alan Robinson

10:30 Break

10:45 A Look at the Cultural Changes Contributing to Marital Breakdown – Debby Bentch

11:30 Response and Discussion

12:00 Lunch

12:45 Sharing Stories, Concerns and Issues Related to Marriage

1:30 Breakout session a or b

a. Fostering Health Before They Say "I do" - Alan Robinson

b. Fostering Healthy Healing -  Debby Bentch

2:15 Break

2:30 Breakout session b or a

3:15 Fostering Healthy Marriage: Putting the Pieces Together – Alan Robinson

4:00 Dismissal

Presenters:

Debby Bentch – Debby is currently serving as the pastor of the Hanover Brethren in Christ Church in Hanover, Pennsylvania. She previously served on the pastoral staff of the Cedar Grove congregation in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania. A Certified Christian Conciliator with the Institute of Christian Conciliation, Debby has studied extensively with the Peacemaker Ministries. She is the mother of five grown children and brings years of experience from her own background of divorce and single parenting as well as her ministry to others.

Terry Brensinger – Terry has been senior pastor at Grantham Brethren in Christ Church since September 2001. Terry and his wife Debra were married in 1977 and presently reside in Grantham. They are the parents of three children: Timothy, Jordan and Julie. Terry holds a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Seminary and a Ph.D. from Drew University. He has taught Biblical Studies at Messiah College and overseas for sixteen years.

Alan Robinson - Alan has been senior pastor at Carlisle Brethren in Christ Church since June 1999.  A native of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Alan has been married to Sharon for almost 21 years and together they have two daughters, Harmony age 20, and Krystal age 17.  Alan holds a Master’s Degree from Oxford University, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Asbury Seminary.  He is presently a Ph.D. candidate in Leadership and Administration at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The coset of this one-day seminar is $50.00. That inclukdes two breaks, lunch and the materials which will be sent to you upon receipt of your registration.