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Another Reason for the Decline of Marriage Matthew Makela
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The estate of marriage is under attack in our country. Almost every Christian has heard that, and yet the divorce rate among Christians hovers near 50%. A recent USA Today article showed that 75% of Americans were married in 1960. Today, only 50% of Americans are married. A survey done by the Pew Research Center revealed that "marriage is becoming obsolete."
A survey done by TheKnot.com and the WeddingChannel.com revealed that 33% of couples used a family member or a friend to officiate their ceremony. The USA Today article shows that clergy-less wedding ceremonies lack the necessary emphasis on the covenantal relationship between husband and wife. I might add that clergy-less weddings will also likely lack a solid teaching on the importance of Jesus and the forgiveness He gives us and expects us to give one another. I'm not inherently opposed to couples getting married by a justice of the peace at a courthouse, but Christian couples should at least supplement this with some pre-maritial classes with their pastor. Additionally, marriage counselors or coaches could be involved.
It's quite easy to get credentialed to perform marriage ceremonies in today's world. This is not a positive thing because it further separates marriage from the Church. It distances marriage from the place where God comes to His people to forgive their sins on account of the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. It isolates couples from a pastor who can check in on them after the ceremony, pray for them, and provide appropriate pastoral care.
What are your thoughts on this matter?
-Pastor Makela Comments
Tuesday, 06 December 2011
The decline in marriage is another strong indication that, as a nation, America continues to turn away from God at an increasing rate. Can His just judgement be long in comming? This thought certainly gives me reason for concern and prayer. It also helps to encourage me to share God's Word with others.
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I personally believe that many Christians do read the Bible, but when they find "WHAT" it says they change the meaning to make it comfortable for them to choose to live in a sin that they know is wrong. Weddings NEED a pastor to give the couple God's Word, not the world's view. I am thankful that we, at St. John's Lutheran honor couples' anniversaries during the prayers on Sundays. Even though we may not always know the couple you can hear people saying "Wow, 50 years...or 65 years...that's a long time to be married." These couples ARE seen in church and are great examples to all.