Dear Colleague:
Someday soon, probably sooner than I would like, my daughter, Megan, will ask me to walk her down the aisle to get married. That will be one tough day for this Dad.
The sad reality is that most who marry today don’t have a good marriage. You know the statistics – somewhere between 40-50% of today’s marriages end in divorce. Up to 80% of repeat marriages also end in divorce. Divorce rates would probably be higher if it wasn’t for the large number of couples living together in “trial marriages.” With the advent of no-fault divorce in 1969, if you follow the research, everything changed. Divorce skyrocketed. Talk of a lifetime love and marriage faded quickly. It hardly even hits the radar in most discussions, or even sermons in church.
The truth is that we are in a marriage crisis and we must do something to help build marriages that matter and last. That’s why I am so pleased to announce AACC’s new premarital counseling program project, “Genesis 2:24: Getting Love and Marriage Right the First Time.” My prayer is that every couple will go through this dynamic program to help insulate and build a solid foundation for their marriage.
The program is based on Genesis 2:24, the very first verse in the Bible that deals with love and marriage. Co-hosted with best-selling author and marriage expert, Dr. John Trent, we wanted to develop a program that was real, straightforward, and firmly grounded in the Bible. Based on solid research, clinical practice, and rooted deeply in Scripture, Genesis 2:24 features some of the world’s leading marriage experts. (While designed for couples who are preparing for marriage, it is also a wonderful tool for couples to go through during the early years of marriage.)
We all know that marriage is tough enough in and of itself. Having the right foundation – getting the fundamentals correct – is everything. Amazingly, research shows that premarital counseling reduces the risk of divorce up to 30%.
This is a wonderful resource for counselors, pastors, marriage mentors, church resource libraries, college and career classes and more. Every couple should be 2:24 certified!
Blessings,
Tim Clinton, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT, BCPCC
President
P.S. Purchase before the deadline and enjoy the best offer we have…12 full lessons on DVD, complete with worktext, marriage insights profile, exams and more… for only $189 – a savings of $100 off the regular price.
