The divorce rate is the same in the church as outside the church.  Barna Research Group, 2001, published survey results showing 33% of all 'born-again' adults who have been married have gone through a divorce, which is statistically identical to the 34% incidence among married adults not identified as 'born-again.'  
 
Often the Church, friends, family, and professional counselors and attorneys do not get involved with those who are experiencing divorce because they do not know separation and divorce is happening, or they don't want to get involved or be seen as "taking sides."   Frequently one or both of the parties leave the church, their Bible study group, or their Christian friends as things unravel leaving the church with no opportunity to help. 

This training does not promote divorce; it only deals with the harsh realities of it.  Obviously, in the first instance of learning of marital problems, we want to look for any way to avoid divorce.  Peacemaker Ministries has developed a training entitled "Intervening in Marital Conflict" which is directed in its focus of helping reconcile a marriage in trouble.

However, if divorce is unavoidable, we want to help those going through that pain to grow in their faith and to trust the Lord to redeem that pain.  This training will benefit pastors, friends, family, attorneys and counselors who help individuals caught in divorce address the resulting conflict in a biblically faithful manner and find that God is able to heal them from the deep, deep wounds of divorce. 

This course is a one-day event, beginning at 10am and concluding at 4:00pm.  The following is a sample schedule of the training:

Day One

• 10:00 a.m. Opening
• Divorce in Our world
• How Can Friends, Family, Attorneys, Counselors, and the Church Respond?
• Stages Experienced by people in Separation & Divorce
• Helping the Parties Address the Consequences affecting the Children
• Working Through the Conflicts from the Legal Process - The Role of the Attorney and Counselor
• The Role of the Church
• The Role of Friends and Family
• Resources available
• 4:00 p.m. Training Concludes