In Marriage and Family Crisis Intervention, the church seeks to
intentionally address the problem of families in crisis in the following four ways.
• First, by learning how to spot marriages and families in crisis before the situation gets beyond remedy.
• Second, by providing educational opportunities for couples and families to help them to realistically assess their marital health.
• Third, by giving them hope through preaching and teaching that Christ can bring healing and forgiveness in all circumstances.
• Fourth, by having a list of professional counseling resources available to the couples and families when they are needed.
We encourage you to take the Prepare/Enrich Inventory training. While it is best known for the Prepare Inventory for premarital preparation, the Enrich Inventory for married couples can give the pastor or lay counselor invaluable information to help pinpoint the issues and difficulties in a troubled marriage. This training can be made available to districts by contacting the Office of Family Life Ministries at Familymin@nazarene.org.
Other Suggested Resources:
• The Pastor's Guide to Effective Ministry (2002). Beacon Hill
Press, Kansas City, Missouri (especially chapter 11: Fundamentals of Pastoral Counseling).
• When the One You Love Wants to Leave (1989). Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, New Jersey.
URGENT! To facilitate the listing of counselors available, we need your help. If you know of a Christian counselor, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist in your area, please let us know by e-mailing Jim Pettitt at familymin@nazarene.org .