3 Reasons Your Church Needs to Host a Marriage Conference (And How to Make It Happen!)

Did you know that 55% of couples in the ONE Family have never attended a marriage event (such as a class, retreat, or conference)? And those who do typically wait about 6 years before showing up. Some couples wait even longer—10, 15, or 20 years!

That was our story. We were married 11 or 12 years before we even heard about a marriage conference. Honestly, we had no clue they existed. Back then, we attended smaller churches that weren’t hosting anything for couples.

But once we started going? We immediately saw the value for our marriage. And we’re not the only ones.

Here’s what couples tell us about the impact:

• “This is the first time we’ve been away from the kids in over a month.”
• “We finally addressed those tough conversations we’ve been avoiding.”
• “I feel close and connected to my spouse again.”
• “It’s nice having a safe space to actually talk about sex.”

So, it’s time to ask the question: When was the last time your church intentionally invested in your congregation’s marriages?

3 Reasons to Host a Marriage Conference at Your Church

If your church has never hosted a marriage conference (or it’s been forever), here are three compelling reasons to make it happen!

1. Marriages Need Intentional Investment

Let’s face it—modern life is exhausting for couples. They’re working their tails off, raising kids, dealing with health changes, caring for aging parents, and running on empty. Husband and wife become like ships passing in the night. Those crucial conversations that strengthen a marriage? They’re just not happening.

Marriage conferences create that intentional time and space couples desperately need. It’s where they can learn from others, pick up new skills, and commit to real action. It becomes a safe zone for honesty and healing.

One couple told us, “The one-on-one time was exactly what we needed.” Another shared, “We’re so much stronger, more connected, and in tune with each other.”

2. Stronger Marriages, Stronger Community

Just imagine the ripple effect of investing in couples at a marriage conference.

Strong marriages create strong families, which build strong churches and transform entire cities. One single marriage conference can literally change the trajectory for generations to come.

As one pastor shared with us, “God has really used marriage conferences in our church to be evangelistic. So many couples in our community have come because they want to work on their marriage, and they’ve ended up hearing about Jesus.“

A marriage conference might be the very doorway that brings couples to Christ or connects them with a church family. Talk about community impact!

3. Create a Sex-Positive Atmosphere

For too long, the church has awkwardly sidestepped the topic of sex. Meanwhile, we’ve let society dictate what healthy romance and sexual intimacy should look like.

It’s time for the Church to step up and be that clear, confident voice for marriages on sex, love, and commitment. Marriage events create the perfect environment for these conversations.

Couples can discover what embracing the Intimacy Lifestyle really means—whether that’s scheduling sex, trying sex challenges, or simply learning to talk openly about sex with each other. (Yes, many couples still struggle with this basic step!)

How to Encourage Your Church to Host a Marriage Event

If your church hasn’t hosted a marriage conference yet, be the catalyst! Start that conversation with your pastor or ministry leader.

Round up interested couples, share success stories from past events, and explore potential speakers. For details on bringing ONE Extraordinary Marriage to your church, click here.

Want to maximize participation? Remember these top barriers that keep couples away:

• Cost/Childcare
• Time/Location
• Simply not knowing where to find marriage events

For many couples, these events represent a significant financial stretch.

One Oklahoma pastor told us, “We charge half of what these events normally cost because we see this as a ministry and investment.” Could your church offer scholarships to help more couples attend?

Ready to Host a Marriage Conference?

Just imagine what could happen if your church created that space for couples to reconnect, heal, and grow together. ONE Extraordinary Marriage has already helped transform countless marriages in churches nationwide.

Ready to make it happen? Contact ONE Extraordinary Marriage today to bring a life-changing marriage event to your church!