January 2017 – According to a recent LifeWay Research online study, nearly 80% of churchgoers and 94% of pastors say their church is a safe place to talk about marital difficulties.
However, among those who divorced, only 48% actually discussed their marital issues with their lead pastor. It is even less likely for those struggling couples to talk to staff members (13%), and only 11% opened up in Sunday school class or with small group members. Three in 10 told no one about their floundering marriages.
Scott McConnell, LifeWay Research vice president said, “The research points to a problem with church culture. If couples are unwilling to discuss marital struggles at church, they don’t get the help they need. Churches can be more effective by being more proactive.”
