Making a Pre-Marriage Course that Makes a Difference

Abstract

Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary will be expected to fulfill all of the roles of pastor which include giving pre-marriage counseling. This is a daunting task for any young, inexperienced pastor. One might borrow a pre-marriage course from a veteran pastor, read a popular marriage book, or use what little experiences they have in marriage, and give it their best shot. This may provide a sufficient pre-marriage course, but it is the opinion of this author that with a few simple approaches to pre-marriage counseling, pastors can be prepared to give an excellent pre-marriage course. Pastors need to be able to give their best possible pre-marriage counseling course because the marriage success rate in the United States is dreadful. If pastors are able to provide the best possible pre-marriage counseling they can give, a couple may be better prepared to have a successful marriage. This thesis explores techniques, strategies, and topics that a pastor can use to give excellent pre-marriage counseling.