EQUIPPING CHURCHES TO SUPPORT MARRIAGE.
The Forward Foundation launched the Austin Marriage Initiative as an extension of its equipping work in 2023.
The Austin Marriage Initiative brings together program providers, churches, and marriage leaders with a vested interest in marriage.
Austin Marriage Initiative seeks to...
Inspire
Offer a vision of marriage that motivates couples to passionately pursue marriage.
Equip
Partner with churches to increase the availability of relationship support in their community.
Connect
Help couples and organizations find proven resources to support healthy lasting relationships.
Elevating marriage and family in Austin and beyond.
Marriage Ministry Enhancement
Healthy marriages are the foundation of strong families and communities. They are also the engine for vibrant and growing churches.
The Forward Foundation launched the Austin Marriage Initiative in 2022 to increase the availability of relationship education and support across the city. You can find many of the various groups offering marriage ministry in Austin here.
In addition to that, research shows that marriage enrichment group programs (such as Re-engage, or Adventures in Marriage) that offer couples coaching in-between group marriage ministry sessions have greater efficacy than weekly marriage ministry groups alone.
Training a team of LifeCare coaches within your marriage ministry can help your marriage group participants reinforce and implement the skills they are learning from your enrichment curriculum, and increase its impact on their relationship.
One more option you may be interested in...our team of Forward Foundation therapists are trained in the research-based, faith compatible Gottman 7 Principles of Healthy Marriage curriculum, which can be offered online or at your church if desired, and we can train your lay leaders in these skills as well.
Enriching and Strengthening Marriages.
The Forward Foundation trains and equips churches to strengthen and renew healthy relationships.
The Austin Marriage Initiative helps churches find programs that meet their needs.
Forward Foundation has coaches trained in the following programs.
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Adventures in Marriage
A fun and interactive weekend retreat for couples at ANY age or stage.
Keeping Marriage Healthy
1-day workshop for dating, engaged, and newly married couples.
re|engage
1 4-week experience helps couples move toward oneness
SYMBIS
A comprehensive mentoring program for dating engaged, and newly married couples.
Marriage is the Most Urgent Ministry Gap for the Church
Research shows that the primary factor driving decreased religious participation is the collapse of the family structure. The success of a parent’s marriage has a lifelong impact on whether their kids attend a faith community as adults.
Benefits of a Marriage Ministry
Increased church attendance
Increase giving
Increase ministry involvement
Healthier families
Strong community
Relationship vision, skills, and support at every stage.
- Singles - Establish healthy dating habits and encourage marriage.
- Marriage Preparation - Assess capability, learn skills, and work with mentor couples.
- Marriage Enrichment - Continuously learn skills to strengthen the relationship.
- Struggling Relationships - Access to marriage intensives to help save struggling marriages.