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We, the undersigned, agree that:

1. The scholarly literature is replete with data supporting the conclusion that severe relational conflicts and divorce may cause tremendous difficulties for the individuals, children, and the community at large.

2. Our experience of living and working in Allen County is that these relational problems are often the precipitating factors in physical and mental health concerns, public disturbances, domestic violence, substance abuse, workplace problems, and a host of negative outcomes for children.

3. Intimidation, coercion, verbal abuse, physical abuse, or any other form of domestic violence is abhorrent, and efforts must be taken to create emotional and physical safety in all relationships.

4. The research strongly supports the conclusion that such simple preventatives as premarital testing and marriage skills training can go a long way toward strengthening marriages so that those involved enjoy and are benefited by their marital relationship.

Therefore, our goal is to help those, who chose marriage for themselves, to gain access to the relationship skills and knowledge that can help them form and sustain a healthy marriage. To accomplish this goal, we agree to support healthy marriages through directly offering, or encouraging participation in other programs that offer, activities such as:

Teen and young adult relationship skills education.

Marriage preparation, including four to six premarital counseling sessions with the use of a premarital inventory.

Relationship skills training to cover issues such as communication, conflict resolution, finance, sex, and parenting.

Marriage retreats, skills-based classes, and marriage enrichment opportunities.

Programs that provide support, encouragement, and mentoring for troubled marriages.

Divorce recovery, remarriage preparation, and stepfamily support programs.

Business practices and social policies that support healthy marriage and family life and encourage marriage education and enrichment.

ALLEN COUNTY COMMUNITY MARRIAGE AGREEMENT

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The Ecclesiastical and Governmental Leaders of the Allen County do hereby covenant, before God and each other, to strengthen and empower the covenant of marriage in this community, that it may flourish as God intends, so it may be a blessing for all people. The lifelong relationship between a man and a woman will be held as the foundation of a strong and family-centered community. Therefore, as community leaders, we promise to God, our families, and our community to encourage couples to remain steadfast in unconditional love, reconciliation, and sexual purity, while purposefully growing in their covenant relationship.

We Believe:

That God has established in Scripture the sanctity and companionship of marriage.

That God intends the marriage bond between husband and wife to last a lifetime.

That we, as leaders, have a responsibility to bless, nurture, support, and encourage strong marriages.

Therefore We Will:

Uphold the following minimum standards in our marriage ministry and ensure the best marriage possible for engaged and married couples by:

1) Encouraging a minimum of one year of courtship.

2)   Encouraging at least four months of marriage preparation, including four to six premarital counseling sessions.

3) Encouraging the use of a premarital inventory (including but not limited to the FOCUS and PREPARE/ENRICH assessments).

4) Training mature married couples to serve as mentors to those who are engaged, newly married, experiencing marriage difficulties, remarried or seeking to enhance their marriage.

5) Using a faith-based approach to cover issues such as communication, conflict resolution, finance, sex and parenting.

6) Encouraging participation in retreats, classes, and marriage enrichment opportunities.

7) Developing and implementing programs for troubled marriages.

8) Promoting faithful marital relationships and sexual abstinence outside of marriage.

9) Promoting God as the foundation of a happy and enduring home.

10) Encouraging the development of a budget and repayment plan for financial debts.

11) Encouraging participation in a faith community during the process of preparation for marriage, and continued participation for spiritual nurturing after the wedding.