Page 83 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 8

Christian Psychology alive

for every ten couples who attended a pre-ma- out of an interest to determine how explicit in-
rital counselling, only one couple participated corporation of Biblical principles in a marriage
in an enrichment program. On the other hand enrichment programme would be perceived by
Bader (1984) mentions that the programmes Christian couples as this is not a common prac-
tend to mainly attract couples with twenty and tice in Psychology. This article presents the ex-
more years of marriage and who want to impro- periences of Christian couples who took part in
ve the quality of their relationship and enjoy the such a collaborative and Biblically-based mar-
years remaining in their relationship. The au- riage enrichment programme. The programme
thor accounts for the low couples’ attendance of involved the teachings on the Biblical princip-
enrichment programmes as couples linking the les of love/respect by a Pastor followed by the
programmes to encounter programmes which facilitation process by Psychologists to engage
are known to evoke expression of emotions ai- the couples to negotiate how they will apply the
med to facilitate required change in the relati- taught principles in their relationship. The aim
onship. was to explore how the Christian couples will
experience such a programme.
Seemingly many couples perceive marriage en-
richment programmes as marital therapy. This Overview of the Programme
misconception is likely to defer couples from The rationale for the enrichment programme is
participation in enrichment programmes as to encourage Christian couples to apply Biblical
they might not see themselves as in need of the- principles in their relationship through a gui-
rapy (van Acker, 2008). Simons, Harris and Wil- ded communication process. The Biblical prin-
lis (1994) identified several intrinsic factors that ciples will be taught by a Pastor with a calling to
might influence couples’ decision with regard to support marriages. Guidance through facilitati-
their need to attend a marriage enrichment pro- on will be provided by four (4) registered Psy-
gramme. Firstly, the authors found that couples chologists trained in marital therapy and group
consider their relationship as private and thus therapy. Their role will be to support the coup-
would not accommodate outside relationship les to use effective communication strategies in
strategies such as skills training and completing order to facilitate the role negotiation process.
questionnaires. Secondly, some couples consi- The Psychologists were briefed and afforded a
der enrichment programmes as irrelevant be- chance to practice their roles during a trail/pilot
cause of the program runners’ association with study.
church organizations. This later factor could be
true for couples without religious orientation. The Intervention Process
Of interest is that Olson and Olson (in Larson The aim of the programme is firstly, to educate
and Olson 2005) found that for the religious couples about the Biblical principles essential
couples, the indicator for happy or unhappy ma- in marriage relationship. Secondly, to facilitate
rital relationships was determined by the coup- couples to define and agree on the roles to ad-
les’ satisfaction or agreement with how spiritual opt in order to express the Biblical teachings in
values and beliefs are expressed in the relation- their relationship.
ship. This is also supported by Giblin (2004) who
concurs that a religious orientation is constant- The teaching session
ly recognized as a component of strong, healthy The programme intervention commences with
marriages. Literature has also provided asserti- the Pastor who will teach on the Biblical prin-
on that Christian clients prefer and feel comfor- ciples of love/respect and the roles of husband
table when their religious beliefs are conside- and wife in applying these principles in their
red in therapy (Tan, 1990; Worthington, 1993; relationship. The teaching will be based on
Plante, 2008). Those that are committed to their a Scripture found in the book of Ephesians.
religion also prefer that the religious approach Ephesians chapter five (5) verses 22-26 (Eph.
be applied openly to address the problems they 5:22-26) as follows:
bring to the therapists. The present article came

82