The church is strategically positioned to create healthy marriages

In his epistle to the Phillipians the apostle Paul “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4 NKJV).

Thursday the 11^th September is “R U OK Day” which is a great “wake up call” across Australia to engage with neighbours and others in meaningful conversations that will encourage and support those that are struggling with varying pressures on their lives. For us who are disciples of Jesus this should be a daily activity as it shows love for our neighbour and Jesus said “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 NKJV)

We need to make connections and engage in those meaningful conversations with those who are married, recently divorced, single parents and others to see that they are OK to encourage them and support where there is a need. There are many occasions where there is just the need to sit down in a public area and have a coffee with them and just listen.  Now is a great time to start the connections to gain momentum through to Marriage Week and beyond. As you hear from members of the church it might uncover the need to appoint and empower “Marriage Mentor couples”.

The ABS recently published statistics showed that in 2024 there were a total of 46,546 divorces between man & woman. The proportion of all divorces that included children (under 18 years) was 47%, that is 40,408 children – larger than the populations of towns, such as, Dubbo, Sunbury, Albury-Wodonga, Gladstone, Geraldton and many others! The ABS also states that the median duration of a marriage (from marriage to divorce) for the last couple of years or so is approx. 13 years and that the median age of males at divorce is just above 47 and for females just above 44. Also, according to the latest published figures on births in 2023 of the 286,998 births only 60.1% were to parents in a registered marriage. These figures show that there is a need to connect to those around us.

The church is strategically positioned to create healthy marriages in our immediate community impacting the wider community around. We need to encourage married couples to continue to establish a commitment of love to each other, a marriage where Christ is the centre each and every day. Their marriage building a fortitude and resilience to take them through many trying circumstances. The marriage can provide consolation, encouragement, and support to both husband and wife.

Marriage Week is just a few weeks away and trust that your arrangements will start coming into place if they haven’t already. There is still time to arrange a Wedding Feast, this could be on the Saturday at the end of Marriage Week which is traditionally the Great Aussie Date Night but there is no reason why it couldn’t be held after the church meeting at the start of Marriage Week or during Marriage Week. It could be a breakfast, brunch or a picnic. Its purpose is to be inclusive of all within the church and wider local community and acknowledging that marriage and family according to God’s design and plan is important to us all.  Furthermore, specifically for church member, the wedding feast is an opportunity to celebrate that the church is the bride of Christ and all who know Him are invited to His banquet.  The wedding feast also would underline the fact that we all should seek to have a deeper relationship with Christ for we are His bride.

For suggested arrangements/planning see "Great Aussie Date"