The Marriage Alliance of Central Virginia
Building Stronger Families Through Stronger Marriages For A Stronger Community.
Marriage Inventories & Mentor Training
INTRODUCTION
One of the best tools available for both premarital preparation and marriage education is a marriage inventory, which is a questionaire-type instrument taken separately by husband and wife (or bride- and groom-to-be). The inventories are scored, and the results clearly indicate areas of strength in the relationship, as well as issues and possible conflict topics that need to be addressed. Although there are many such inventories available, two of the best-researched and most widely-used are PREPARE/ENRICH (for premarrieds and already-married couples, respectively) by Life Innovations, and FOCCUS/ReFOCCUS from FOCCUS, Inc. Another popular "brand" is RELATE from the Relate Institute (www.relate-institute.org).
Another very effective tool for premarital and marital education is the use of marriage mentors. These are typically older, mature couples who have been married 10-15 years or more, who perhaps have "weathered" a few storms themselves, and who can communicate and relate well to others. Following training, these couples are matched up with engaged couples as part of a premarital preparation program, or with a newlywed or other married couple that perhaps needs some guidance and a good role model. Combined with pastoral counseling, this concept can make an excellent, cost-effective addition to a congregation's marriage ministry. It also benefits the mentor couple by strengthening their marriage, and empowering them for ministry.
TRAINING DATES:
FOCCUS/ReFOCCUS
Marriage Mentoring - Using FOCCUS/ReFOCCUS:
Saturday, February 23, 2008 - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information on this training event, click here.
The only cost for the training is for the FOCCUS materials and includes the FOCCUS manual, a mentor's manual, and a REFOCCUS inventory (similar to FOCCUS but for married couples). The cost is $95 per mentor couple.
For more information… or to register for training:
Contact Larry Compter at the Marriage Alliance of Central Virginia to reserve a seat at the next training.
PREPARE/ENRICH
PREPARE/ENRICH Certification Training - Dr. Daryl Pitts
Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
For more information on this training event, click here.
Cost for MACV members: $150. Non-members: $175.00.
Mentors can train for $50 ONLY if there is someone at their church who is trained in Prepare/Enrich to be their supervisor. Registration and pre-payment is required.
For more information… or to register for training:
Contact Larry Compter at the Marriage Alliance of Central Virginia to reserve a seat at the next training.