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Beliefs
The community needs to be aware of the importance and value the Bible
places upon marriage.
Old Testament and New Testament stories such as the wedding feast at Cana
of Galilee, which Jesus attended. Jesus’ presence is a sort of seal
of approval.
Those helping need to be aware of the promises made at the wedding service
– for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in
health in order to remind all concerned that the church anticipated some
of the problems that people face in their marriage relationship.
Problems are expected in marriage and a couple should not have a sense
of guilt or feel necessarily that they have failed.
Attitude
Church members need to be supportive of both parties.
They need to be prepared to spend time listening to them, not judging
them or putting them right.
The need to be prepared to stress the importance of love not conflict.
They must see both the husband and the wife as part of the Christian family.
Action
A Christian community might feel it is necessary to suggest help from
a specialist organisation, such as Relate or CMAC.
They need to make a genuine effort to involve the couple in the outgoing
work of the church.
The people helping the couple might use prayer about their own involvement
and make private intercession for the couple.
The priest or minister who married the couple originally may wish to be
involved in the counselling.
Values
Those helping need to remind themselves of the sanctity of marriage.
They need to be non-judgemental and alert to the nature of human weakness.
They need to be compassionate and understanding.
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