Serial Marriages Expected

"There no longer seems to be much of a stigma attached to divorce; it is now seen as an unavoidable rite of passage," the researcher indicated. "Interviews with young adults suggest that they want their initial marriage to last, but are not particularly optimistic about that possibility. There is also evidence that many young people are moving toward embracing the idea of serial marriage, in which a person gets married two or three times, seeking a different partner for each phase of their adult life." - Barna Report

The idea of "serial marriage" is a reflection of recent generation's first hand experience that marriage is unpredictable. In many cases, products of broken homes themselves, this emerging adult generation enters a relationships with caution and low expectations. Lack of stability in marriages will change the complexion of ministries and churches once built on the foundation of families.

As commitment declines toward marriage, look for an increase in American adults who suffer from depression, financial distress and employment difficulties. Those ministries that organize toward supporting this growing subset, while at the same time creating a supportive environment will be an effective counter-measure. Support programs should organize to address all aspects of the problem and include the addition of licensed counselors on the ministry team.

Training "marriage mentors" will be essential for additional support as pastors will become quickly overwhelmed with the crisis. These role model marriages will pair with struggling marriages to establish a relationship of support. Those ministries who have a deep understanding of and a passion for at risk couples will create strong training programs for mentors and the mentored.

Young couples experiencing divorce or those who are struggling will be less inclined to attend churches that have a high percentage of "judgmental" older adults who lack an appreciation of the problem or churches that demonstrate a lack of acceptance of this at risk population. Those churches who embrace this growing segment of American population will experience growth and community support.