Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve heard that Marriage Encounter is for “troubled” marriages. We’ve been married for (1 year, 10 years, or 35 years) and we don’t have “issues.” Why should we attend?
I’ve heard that Marriage Encounter is for “troubled” marriages. We’ve been married for (1 year, 10 years, or 35 years) and we don’t have “issues.” Why should we attend?
- On the contrary, Marriage Encounter Experiences are for ALL marriages! Think about it, employers may send you to a seminar to gain new skills on the job, so why not dedicate time to gain new skills that can benefit your most important relationship – your marriage!
- A Marriage Encounter experience gives busy couples much needed time together to focus on each other and deepen their communication. After the weekend or series, couples often return to their life and families refreshed with renewed commitment to each other. It’s an opportunity to be proactive rather than reactive.
- For marriages that are deeply troubled, in crisis, or have deep hurts that need significant healing and forgiveness, please consider our sister program, Retrouvaille.
- This is NOT marriage counseling or group therapy. It is not our intention to provide “counseling” and we do not provide trained therapists. The main focus is on teaching a communication technique which spouses will then use to explore different topics pertinent to married couples.
- Presentations are delivered to the entire group but after each presentation couples go back to their private room to discuss the topic and share their personal feelings. You are not expected or required to share these discussions with the group or with the leaders.
- Yes, any legally married heterosexual (man and woman) couple can attend.
- The Marriage Encounter experience is about you and your marital relationship. As we are a Christian organization, you will hear presenting team couples share their faith as well as Bible verses specific to the marriage relationship. However, no one will try to convert you.
- Our program is especially designed to address the unique communication challenges and issues specifically experienced in a male-female marriage relationship. We encourage same-sex couples, dating couples, and unmarried couples to explore/attend relationship programs that can better meet their specific needs. We are happy to direct these couples to programs of which we are aware that might be of interest to them.
- The program is designed for one presentation to build upon the next, it is critical to attend all sessions. The progression and pace is built for success.
- All the more reason for you to attend! With the many demands placed upon you as a couple, you and your spouse need to take the time to nurture the health and happiness of your own marriage relationship in order to continue to feed the members of your congregation. Please see our clergy section for more information and to hear from other clergy who have benefited greatly from Marriage Encounter. Please see the clergy section for more information and hear from clergy who have benefited greatly from Marriage Encounter.
- All materials you need to learn your new set of communication tools are provided during the experience.
- You are not required to purchase supplemental materials in order to receive the benefits of your experience or to continue enjoying its benefits afterwards.
- Although it is possible for a couple to see improvement in their overall communication if only one spouse attends a relationship program, it is far more successful for their relationship if both the husband and wife learn the communication tools we teach and practice during a Marriage Encounter experience. Thus it is required that both spouses attend to receive the full benefits of the experience.
