The Intentional Marriage Workshop (IMW) is unlike the majority of marriage courses. The Workshop does not define what a marriage should be like, or provide general standards of behavior the couple should attain. Instead, the IMW facilitates a PROCESS by which the couple identifies and defines their own relationship and how they will journey together in agreement.It starts with defining and agreeing on the INTENT of their marriage which will help keep them focused on their agreed destination. This is the What (Vision) and the Why (Motive). This is core to a successful marriage. One major reason relationships fail is they have never agreed on what a successful marriage looks like. Hence they are not headed in the same direction.Once the couple has agreed on the What and the Why of their marriage, they then identify and define the ROLES and RESPONSIBILITIES (with their associated Rights) they will each agree to take on to achieve the Intent. Another common failing in relationships is that the individuals have expectations of their own and their partner's Roles, Responsibilities and Rights, but have never identified and agreed on what they will be.Next the couple is helped to identify GOALS (short term and long term) which are steps along the way, not ends in themselves.Then the couple will develop a set of agreed upon RULES which with help them avoid unnecessary conflict and keep their relationship running smoothly. An important emphasis is that Rules are not for controlling of each other, but oneself.The final element in the IMW Process is making opportunities to STRENGTHEN the RELATIONSHIP. This has two aspects: Strengthening the Individual, and Strengthening the Bond.By the end of the Workshop, couples will ideally have come up with their own Intentional Marriage Agreement which outlines what they have agreed upon throughout the Workshop. This Agreement is a living document which should be reviewed as situations change, or regularly such as on wedding anniversaries.Even though this might seem a simple Process, every part is considered by IMW as foundational for a successful marriage (and healthy relationships).WARNING: The Workshop Process can be extremely challenging for those who have never truly considered and confronted the deeply buried beliefs and expectations they hold that ultimately damage their lives and relationships.Who is the Workshop for?The Intentional Marriage Workshop is primarily designed for Christian couples, and therefore contains scriptural references and principles. Nevertheless, this should not prevent any couple from working through the Process and benefitting from it just as much.IMW is for any couple wanting to have the type of marriage that thrives and grows for a lifetime. This includes couples planning to be married, newly married couples (including those remarrying), couples who have been married for many years whose changing life situations have given rise to new challenges, and separated couples trying to reconcile.How long does it take?The Workshop is comprised of five Sessions, ideally held once a week (to allow time for reflection and research).Session 1 - Intent (Vision & Motives) Session 2 - Roles & Responsibilities (including Rights)Session 3 - Goals & RulesSession 4 - Strengthening Your RelationshipSession 5 - ConclusionBONUS SECTION: Because unhealthy conflict contributes so often in relationship breakdowns, a section has been included called "Monsters, Mice and Men". It begins with a short study on what the Bible says about anger and conflict, then provides information on how to overcome unhealthy conflict behaviors (Monsters and Mice) replacing them with a healthy form of conflict: "Fighting Like a Man" (Hu-Man).
