Where Else but Massachusetts? (Good News for Families)

Marriage Matters, an initiative of Massachusetts Family Institute, exists solely to promote strong and healthy marriage in the Commonwealth. Collaborating with MFI, the Rev. Jim Ennis, M.A., M.S. and Director of Marriage Matters is helping to lead and strengthen communities in building strong marriages throughout the Commonwealth.

"Marriage should be honored by all." Hebrews 13:4

More than ever before in the history of our nation, the institution, permanence and sanctity of traditional marriage is disparaged by people who absorb and embrace much of the contemporary hype that is promoted today. Despite this cause for concern, there is also room for good news, celebration and joy regarding traditional marriages. In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

The majority of residents support traditional marriage and family structure
Marital vows are viewed as integrally tied to faith, giving clergy a clear opportunity to influence marriages
The majority of couples marry with a member of clergy officiating.
Some Gratifying Reports
On Marriage

92% of Massachusetts residents expect to be married for life, and 81% of married respondents are confident enough about their marriage that they know with certainty they would marry the same person again. MFI Marriage Survey·
"Every marriage is a public virtue…Society benefits from the well-being of marriage…Good things happen when we honor what marriage is." Glenn Stanton, Focus on the Family
86% of Massachusetts residents disagree with the statement, "marriage is an old-fashioned, outmoded institution." MFI Survey
Regions of the country that have instituted versions of the marriage matters initiative have shown a significant decrease in divorce.
Marital social norms encourage healthy, productive behavior and wealth accumulation (such as buying a home)…A large body of research…in the U.S. and other developed countries finds that "married men earn between 10 and 40 percent more than do single men with similar education and job histories." Jeffrey Gray and Michael Vanderhart, Why Marriage Matters, for the Institute for American Values
Please contact Massachusetts Family Institute for more information on the Marriage Matters Initiative and how you and your Church can get involved in this important movement to strengthen the institution of marriage.

Churches Are the Starting Point

When pastors and interfaith groups work together to strengthen marriages and prepare couples by raising the standard for their lifelong journey, momentous changes transpire. No one knows more about your community, prays for it more, or cares for it more than those who minister to it."

The rest is here.