Imagine a room full of people who are passionate about rescuing others from the pain of broken relationships humbly joining hands and hearts to work for a vision of greater community impact. The Marriage CoMission Strategy Summit brought together people from over sixty organizations to discuss how marriages in communities across America can be positively impacted. As these marriage champions gathered at WinShape Retreat in Rome, Georgia, some for the first time, hearts were renewed and excitement reignited. The Marriage CoMission set lofty goals to begin measurable, transformational change in eight cities during 2006. Each participant agreed that only through collaboration can these goals succeed.
The Marriage CoMission believes that effective collaboration flows from fellowship. The Summit balanced a focus on building relationships and hammering out strategy. Describing the fellowship, one participant said that the experience was “manna for the soul.” True fellowship is very sweet, as many of those who attended the Summit can attest to. From sector working group meetings to times of prayer and worship, the Summit provided a container for not only of fellowship and collaboration but work and progress!
Over the course of the Summit, the Marriage CoMission allies signed a charter document. This document details how the Marriage CoMission will empower people in their communities to lead a marriage renaissance. The focus of our efforts is to call out city leaders and influencers and equip them to show others how to have dynamic, fulfilling marriages.
Pulling from the ideas, dreams and hopes that have been discussed for the past two years, the Marriage CoMission leadership drafted the Charter to define what the Marriage CoMission is and what it seeks to do. The Charter will be amended when needed as events and ideas refine our focus. This document seeks to help those who are unfamiliar with the Marriage CoMission understand it and to help those who are already participating remain intent on the enumerated goals.
The Preamble to the Charter sets the stage for the details that follow. It expresses the heart and dreams of the Marriage CoMission.
Preamble
WE, THE ALLIES OF THE MARRIAGE COMISSION, STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF THOSE WHO CHAMPIONED MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY BEFORE US, DETERMINE
To save future generations from the destructive consequences of failed marriages and broken homes,
To work together to fan the embers of hope in men and women to fulfill their created desire for life-long, healthy marriages, and
To equip married couples to lead strong families.
TO THESE ENDS
We unite our efforts as allies in a common mission,
We place a high value on preserving strong relationships among ourselves as we lift up and encourage all who seek to preserve strong marriages in America,
We call upon Community and Church Leaders to take responsibility for a marriage restoration in their own communities and lead a marriage city initiative, and
We commit ourselves to their success.
WE HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMS:
To renew America’s hope and vision for the institution of marriage,
To significantly reduce the divorce rate,
To increase marriage satisfaction and health, and
To strengthen families and preserve the next generation.
The following Summit participants signed the Charter, signifying their agreement to the mission and means of the CoMission:
Alan & Leslie Chambers, Exodus Int’l Allan & Betsy Carlson, Howard Center Barry & Ellen Sheets, Citizens for Community Values Bill & Elizabeth Seabrook, First Things First of Gaston County Bill & Shannon Royce, Arlington Group Bill Coffin, ACF Bob & Bev Maday, WinShape Foundation Bob & Jenni Boerner, Jr., Young Business Leaders of North Alabama Bob & Jenni Paul, Nat’l Institute of Marriage Brad & Allison Small, Amarillo South Church Bubba & Cindy Cathy, Chick-Fil-A, WinShape Clarence Shuler, Building Lasting Relationships David & Claudia Arp, Marriage Alive, Int’l David & Karen Olson, Life Innovations David & Teresa Ferguson, Great Commandment Network Emerson & Sarah Eggerichs, Love & Respect Ministries Eric & Jennifer Garcia, Association of Marriage & Family Ministry Gary & Carrie Oliver, Center for Relationship Enrichment Gary & Debi Lydic, America’s Family Coaches Gary &Barbara Rosberg, America’s Family Coaches Greg & Connie Brezina, Christian Families Today James & Judith Comenzo, Creating Healthy Relationships Jason & Kelli Krafsky, Turn the Tide Resource Group, Families Northwest Jeff & Gail Fray, WinShape Marriage Jeff & Stacy Kemp, Families Northwest Joe Beam, Family Dynamics John & Janice Jauregui, Georgia Family Council Jonas & Anne Beiler, Founder of Auntie Anne’s Julie Baumgardner, First Things First Keith & Sharon Morgan, Family Ministries, Military Ministry, CCC Ken & Dee Canfield, National Coalition of Fatherhood Krysta Kavenaugh, Marriage magazine Larry & Barbara Magnuson, Sonscape Ministries Larry & Susan Duncan, Family Ministries, COGOP Mark & Angie Pyatt, Nat’l Institute of Marriage Mike & Harriet McManus, Marriage Savers Nathan & Jane Phillips, Battlefield Ministries Norm & Bobby Evans, Pro-Athletes Outreach Peter & Heather Larson, Life Innovations Randy & Marilyn Hicks, Georgia Family Council Richard & Elizabeth Albertson, Live the Life Ministries Rob & Kelly Simpson Crawford, Active Relationships Robert & Judy Levy, Kingston, Jamaica Ron & Ginger Braund Ronald & Doris Warford, Great Commandment Ministries Rozario & Angela Slack, First Things First Scott & Jen Sticksel, The Bridge Works Group Shawn & Christina Stoever, WinShape Marriage Steve & Kathy Beirne, Foundations Newsletter Steve & Kathy Taylor, Alliance for Marriage Steve & Sharon Judah, Columbus Marriage Coalition Susan Dutton Freund, Foundation for a Great Marriage Terry Northcutt, Family Dynamics Tim & Darcy Kimmel, Family Matters Tim & Jo Victor, Worldwide Marriage Encounter Tim & Sara Bouman, NorthPoint Community Church Tommy & Mimi Holland, FBC Jonesboro, GA
If you would like to read the complete document, please follow this link: Charter
