Thursday, 14 September 2023 12:45 PM
Company Update
When 'Til Death Do Us Part' Dies: The Rising Divorce Rate in the Church
THOMASVILLE, GA / ACCESSWIRE / September 14, 2023 / Recent statistics from the Barna Group reveal an alarming truth - evangelical Christians have the highest divorce rate in America. 36% of evangelical couples go through marital dissolution, compared to 33% of mainline Protestants, 28% of Catholics, and 27% of the non-religious. This trend contradicts Jesus' clear teachings on lifelong marriage commitment found in Matthew 19:6. So why are so many Christians getting divorced?
According to Bree Sullivan-Howell, a Christian family law attorney and author of How to Crush Your Divorce & Keep Your Faith, several factors are driving this crisis. First, many believers have adopted the world's relaxed view of marriage. Christians are more accepting of divorce than earlier generations, with 79% saying it should be easier to obtain. The church has also accommodated Hollywood's unrealistic ideals of romance and "happily ever after." When those expectations inevitably go unmet, couples quickly split.
Another issue is lack of adequate premarital preparation. Christians often rely solely on pastors for counseling rather than trained professionals. But pastors rarely have enough time to address key marital success predictors like communication, conflict resolution, family backgrounds, and finances. Just 11% of Christian couples seek counseling with qualified experts prior to marriage.
Sullivan-Howell also points to a disproportionate focus on wedding ceremonies versus marriage enrichment. Churches pour extensive resources into preparing couples for the big day, but provide little support for the daily realities of married life after it's over. More focus needs to be on strengthening existing unions.
Undiagnosed mental health issues and addictions frequently surface post-honeymoon and corrode marriages. Domestic violence is also far more common in the church than many realize. Yet Christian leaders often discourage divorce, even in abusive situations, leaving women trapped.
Young believers tend to hold idealistic expectations, believing marriage will solve their pursuit of happiness. Disillusionment sets in when it becomes just another setting for spiritual growth and character development.
According to Sullivan-Howell, churches must address these realities more decisively if they want to reduce divorce rates. Her text, Crush Your Divorce, offers practical solutions centered on biblical truth and grace for women navigating marital dissolution.
Crush Your Divorce® helps Christian women find their voice during a divorce, especially those experiencing abandonment or abuse. Most Christian books on divorce target men and simply condemn the practice altogether rather than providing real assistance. Yet a large percentage of divorces result from adultery, abuse, and abandonment - things the church should be protecting women from rather than ignoring.
Sullivan-Howell uses scripture to encourage, not shame, women going through the trauma of divorce. She guides them to build spiritual, emotional and financial stability throughout the process. Her legal expertise helps demystify navigating complex divorce proceedings as a woman of faith. Many feel that for too long, Christian women have felt isolated and ostracized in their churches after divorce. Many are left unsure where they fit in their faith community. The church often provides only judgment or discouragement. Women need compassion and empowerment during chaotic marital dissolution.
Sullivan-Howell is helping fill this gap through her unique work supporting Christian women navigating divorce. She offers faith-based services for those facing all the way through rebuilding life after the divorce is finalized. Her book and online resources remove the veil of silence and stigma. The church is called to model countercultural approaches to relationships - especially marriage. But Christian leaders must move beyond moralizing about divorce and instead offer truth, grace and practical support. Thriving unions take work, and our churches may want to step up.
If current trends continue, some worry that the very fabric of our congregations and communities will unravel. Sullivan-Howell's message offers a path forward, bringing God's light into the darkness of divorce and empowering women to crush its hold over their lives. There is hope, healing and wholeness after divorce ends a Christian marriage. Sullivan-Howell is helping lead the way.
ABOUT CRUSH YOUR DIVORCE®
Crush Your Divorce® aims to teach why it's not unladylike or unChristian to stand up for yourself, as well as help people gain valuable, practical insight into the nuts and bolts of a divorce case - including strategies on how to help your lawyer prepare your case to win. With a mission to reconnect with the promises of God's Word to give hope and comfort, How to Crush Your Divorce & Keep Your Faith author and attorney Bree Sullivan-Howell shares experiences and lessons learned from over two decades as a leading divorce attorney, along with insights from her own divorce journey. For more information, visit www.sullivan-firm.com. For additional information, visit crushyourdivorce.com or visit Crush Your Divorce on Facebook or Instagram.
CONTACT
Bree Sullivan-Howell
229.200.0076
[email protected]
SOURCE: Crush Your Divorce®