Pastor's Recruiting letter...adapt as you wish.

[Ideally the pastor would have a face to face conversation with each couple he is inviting to be a sponsor couple....but sending a letter may be another good option]

Dear ............

I am asking you to consider becoming members of our Sponsor Couple ™ ministry team.

Sponsor Couples are married couples willing to "journey with" engaged couples who are going through marriage preparation in our parish.  The Sponsor Couple ™ process matches up one married couple with one engaged couple for a series of meetings (usually 5 or 6 meetings) that you host in the privacy of your home.  This process has proven more effective than the older methods of giving lectures to groups of engaged couples.

The For Better and For Ever ™ workbook (En las buenas y para siempre in Spanish) will guide your meetings with the engaged couple . You will each have your own copy. Each of you are expected to do Homework, that is, read and respond in writing to the questions in each chapter. You will then share with your spouse what you have written.

Then you will host a meeting with the engaged couple (who has done the same homework) and invite them to share with you what they learned by done the Homework.  You can also share with them what you and your sponse learned.  As you listen to their sharing, you invite the engaged couple to share more of what they learned (and you do the same) so the meeting in your home becomes a time of sharing and learning that benefits the engaged couple and also your own marriage. 

There is more material in the workbook than would be possible to cover during your sharing, but it is quality of the sharing that is the goal (not the sharing in every question".  The meetings in your home are limited to the time frame that you and the engaged couple decide is practical (usually 90 minutes to 2 hours).  Then you wrap up the meeting by determining the Chapters that will be Homework for your next meeting and set the date and time for that meeting.

After the engaged couple is married, you continue the Sponsor Couple ™ process by following up with the newly married during the first year(s) of marriage (often this is done by phone).  You will be asked to "sponsor" no more than one ~ or sometimes two ~ engaged couples per year.

If you are willing to consider becoming members of our Sponsor Couple ™ ministry team, I will invite you take part in a 2 hour Zoom training that will be available to you in your own home.

How to determine whether this ministry is for you?

The following questions may help you answer this question. Keep in mind that we are not looking for perfect couples. If you know from personal experience the good times and the hard times of marriage, you will be more credible when you share your experience with engaged couples.

1. Are you in a canonically valid marriage?

2. Are you able to say that your marriage is not in need of professional therapy at this point?

3. Does your lifestyle give evidence of your faith and commitment to your marriage?

4. Marriage preparation is a team effort that involves the cooperation of clergy, parish staff and the Sponsor Couple ™ ministry team. Are you willing to work with others, and be part of a team?

5. Are you committed to growth in your own marriage relationship?

6. Do you have a sense of humor?

7. Do you pray regularly? Are you willing to deepen your prayer life together?

So.....what do you think???  Any questions??

Peace and Love,

Your Pastor