CUSTOMIZED VERSION ADDITIONS
(1) Orthodox
Spiritual Beliefs Scale: Late
June 2010 we launched a new feature within the Customized Version of
PREPARE/ENRICH allowing facilitators to select an Orthodox Christian
version for the Spiritual Beliefs Category. This ensures your
couples will take an inventory which reflects a more Orthodox Christian
perspective.
A panel of Orthodox clergy and counselors adapted the PREPARE/ENRICH
content to better reflect Orthodox teaching and theology. We'd
like to thank each of them for their contributions and we hope the tool
will be a blessing to both premarital and married couples within the
Orthodox tradition.
Rev. Fr. John A Mefrige MDiv, MS MFT
V. Rev. Fr. Marc Dunaway
Rev. Fr. Charles Joanides Ph.D, LMFT
Phillip Mamalakis Ph.D., LMFT
Kerry Pappas MA LMFT
The items are listed below:
Orthodox
Christian Spiritual Beliefs Scale
(-) Spiritual differences cause some tension in our relationship.
(+) We both support the practice of giving a portion of our income to
the church.
(+) I understand what the Orthodox Church teaches about marriage as a
sacrament.
(+) We have discussed the importance of receiving communion regularly
as a couple and family.
(+) I believe our marriage must include active participation in a
church community.
(+) We have discussed what it means to love each other as husband and
wife.
(+) I believe that God calls me to exercise humility and self-denial in
marriage.
(+) The Orthodox faith is very important to both of us.
(-) My partner and I have different ideas about how we will practice
our Orthodox faith at home.
(+) I understand how God uses marriage and family life to help us work
out our salvation.
(2) Dating Couples: From late September 2010, dating couples taking P/E will also be asked the questions about children in the decision tree which customizes what scales they receive. We've had consistent feedback from Facilitators that they want to discuss future family plans with couples who might form a step family or have children together. Basically, they can get every scale that an engaged couple can get in this area of children and parenting. We also added in the Previously Married scale for dating couples where one or both partners have been through a past divorce.