The Purpose of Premarital Counseling

What is the purpose of premarital counseling? What does the Pastor or other counselor hope to accomplish by spending several hours with a couple? There are several goals for christian premarital counseling. In the following discussion, these goals are not listed in order of importance.

One of the goals of the counseling is to make arrangements fort he procedural details of the wedding ceremony it self. The couple can express their desires and the counselor can make suggestions and provide guidelines. there are many variations found in wedding invitations and ceremonies today. A counselor should be flexible in his approach to the ceremony. Christian couples are becoming more vocal and personal in sharing their faith in Jesus Christ through their invitations and ceremony, thus allowing both to serve as vehicles for testimony as well as commitment and celebration.

Premarital counseling is a choice of opportunity for the pastor and other counselor to build an in depth relationship with the couple, which could lead to a continuing ministry in the future. The rapport established now will make it easier to be involved in the excitement of the couple's marriage in years ahead.

Marital Status Today

At this point it should be apparent that there is an urgent need for premarital preparation. The local church or those who have some type of Christian Ministry are in the best position to provide such a service. It is interesting and sad to note how lax the local church has been in having an ongoing, intensive and mandatory program of premarital counseling.

Most people believe that premarital counseling is a worthy concept. Basically there have been 3 main groups that provide most of the premarital counseling: ministries, physicians, professionals and social workers.

The first premarital counseling that has valued service happened in the year 1928 in the American Obstetrics and Gynecology. Then in 1950 most of the writing concerned physicians and the premarital physical exam. In the 50's religious literature began to focus upon premarital counseling as well as writings from the mental health.

Many States have taken steps to stem the number of divorces that occur in youthful marriages. California and other states have passed legislation requiring persons under 18 to obtain not only a parental consent but also a court order giving permission to obtain the marriage license.