Christian marriages would benefit from more biblical teaching on relationships from church leaders, the founder of Street Pastors has said.
Revd Les Isaac OBE, who was a church leader for over 20 years, told attendees at Keep The Faith Magazine’s online event: “Lots of marriages in the church and Christian marriage behind closed doors need some serious help and repair, which the church is not responding to.”
Louise, who has been married to Les for 45 years, called for churches to pray for their married couples and be “intentional” in providing support.
‘Biblical perspective’
Les said: “I believe there should be a relationship teaching series on a Sunday morning for everyone. I think the church should have a series on family relationships and really bring up that biblical perspective of what a good relationship looks like.”
“Sometimes we’re struggling in our communication, struggling sexually, struggling financially. All these things are part of the journey. I often say to ministers that we only get to know there are problems in the marriage when they have gone to the solicitors to file for divorce.”
Les encouraged church leaders to “empower” others in their churches who could help support marriages and “set the framework so that they can function and be a source of encouragement to people”.
‘Sense of belonging’
Last month, Christian MP Danny Kruger told The House magazine how society has been impacted by policies that have weakened marriage, such as no-fault divorce.
The MP for East Wiltshire said: “Marriage traditionally was the means by which sexual relations between men and women were regulated, and I think we are suffering from having a totally unregulated sexual economy.”
Yet, Kruger commented that society is turning away from “the cult of the independent individual” as it has become apparent “how empty that philosophy is and how destructive it is of society”.
Instead, he said, people are turning to institutions like the family that “give us meaning and identity and security and a sense of belonging”.
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