Great marriages don’t just happen, they require intentionality and lots of fun! Here at VBCC, we want to do everything we can to help you have a vibrant and healthy marriage that will last a lifetime. If you’re looking for resources or encouragement to help your marriage thrive, be sure to check out our Marriage Ministry opportunities.

For more information, contact our marriage ministry coordinators:

 
 

Toby & Sylvia Chipman
sylviachipman@yahoo.com
757-202-5173

 

The mission of the VBCC Marriage Ministry is to:

  • Prepare engaged and seriously dating couples and create a solid foundation for a lifelong Christ-centered marriage.

  • Strengthen and support existing marriages to reflect God’s intention for marriage through all life stages and seasons.

  • Help restore marriages that have been struggling or broken.

Marriage Resources

Pre-marital Counseling - Every engaged couple wants to get married because they are in love! But there are many additional elements of marriage that should be considered and explored before they say “I do.” Engaged couples will meet with a pastor or marriage mentor for 4-6 sessions to work through the SYMBIS program (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) to encourage discovery, discussion, and working through the issues they are likely to encounter in their marriage.

Marriage Mentorship - Every married couple can benefit from marriage mentoring no matter whether you are newly married or have been together for decades! Couples can join together with an experienced couple in an informal setting to get to know each other and discuss life and marriage issues. This program is designed for discussion between the couples and can include occasional wife/wife and husband/husband discussions.

Marriage Enrichment Classes - Classes will be offered to add enrichment to your marriage. Classes will explore topics such as improving communication, dealing with challenging issues, and parenting.

Classes will be offered regularly to build and strengthen your marriage. Class topics will vary and cover topics such as improving communication, healthy conflict resolution, and building a lasting marriage.

Annual Retreat - Every marriage could benefit from an annual tune-up. Each year we offer a weekend Marriage Retreat with well-known speakers and opportunities for discussion. We gather with couples from our consortium churches every other year and enjoy a VBCC retreat on the alternating years.

Marriage Assessments - We offer online assessments for couples to complete to discover similarities, differences and where they can assess and improve their understanding of their spouse. The results of the assessment are completely confidential and we offer optional follow-up with a marriage ministry leader or mentor if desired.

Book Recommendations - There are many resources for books and videos that we can recommend! If you have any specific topics that you would like to explore, contact Sylvia.

Syl's Top 5 Marriage Book Picks:

  1. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

  2. Why Marriages Succeed or Fail: And How to Make Yours Last by John Gottman

  3. Love & Respect by Emerson Eggerichs

  4. Vertical Marriage by Dave & Ann Wilson

  5. Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts by Les & Leslie Parrot